How We Use Competitor SWOT Analysis to Shape Our SEO Strategy
When it comes to staying competitive in digital marketing, regularly analyzing your competitors is essential. At BeastBI, we run a structured SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) every 6 months to keep our SEO strategy sharp. Here's how we do it and a real-world example of what we learned.
Our 3-Level Approach to Competitor Analysis
We break down competitor evaluation into three key levels:
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Website Metrics
We examine traffic, keyword rankings, and backlinks. Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush help us spot SEO growth or decline and identify if competitors are gaining ground. -
Client Base
We look at their case studies, client logos, and public testimonials. This helps us understand what kind of businesses they attract and if there are any shifts in target audiences. -
Positioning and Messaging
We analyze how they present themselves—what talking points they use and how they describe their services. Are they clearer, sharper, or more relevant to current trends?
Real-World Example: Local SEO Focus
In one recent case, we noticed a competitor began building out city-specific landing pages targeting the keyword "Google Ads agency [city]". They also acquired location-specific backlinks with exact-match anchor text.
This told us two things:
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They were shifting their focus toward local SEO, probably aiming to dominate regional search.
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Their backlink strategy was becoming more refined and tactical.
What We Did in Response
From our SWOT:
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We prioritized local backlink building, especially with clear, focused anchor texts.
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We reviewed and updated our local service pages to better compete on regional keywords.
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We sharpened our messaging to clearly differentiate our strengths versus competitors.
Key Takeaway
Don’t wait for competitors to outrank you—study them proactively. SEO isn’t just about what you’re doing; it’s also about how fast others are moving. A clear SWOT analysis helps you spot what’s working, what’s slipping, and where you should double down.
Want help building your own SEO strategy? Get in touch with us for a free consultation.