# How to Research Local Competitors (Simple Method)

Research local competitors for a small business: where to look, what to record, how to compare prices, reviews and websites, and how to find your opening.

Source page: https://cheapcheapwebsites.com/small-business-guides/start/research-local-competitors/
Updated: October 6, 2026

Search Google and Google Maps for your service plus your town, list the top 10 businesses, and record their prices, services, hours, review count and rating, website quality and what customers praise or complain about. Gaps in the complaints are your opening.

## Where to look

- Google Search and Google Maps for "[service] near me" and "[service] [city]"
- Review sites and social pages for complaints and praise
- Their websites: services, prices, booking options, how easy it is to contact them
- Industry directories and local marketplaces

## What to record

| Field | Why it matters |
| Services and prices | Shows the going rate and gaps |
| Review count and rating | Shows trust and how long they have been around |
| Top complaints | Your opportunity |
| Website and booking | How easy they make it to buy |
| Hours and service area | Times and places nobody covers |

## Turn research into a plan

- Pick one advantage you can actually deliver: speed, price clarity, specialty, location, language or hours.
- Put that advantage in your name tagline, website headline and Google Business Profile description.
- Re-check competitors every quarter.

## Worked example

Lena plans a house cleaning business. She lists eight companies that appear when she searches for cleaning in her area. For each, she records services, published starting prices, service area, review count and rating, common praise and complaints in recent reviews, and whether they offer online booking. She notices that customers praise consistency and complain about cleaners changing every visit and slow replies. Her plan promises the same team each visit and replies within the hour during business hours, which she can actually deliver.

## What to do with the findings

Turn your notes into three decisions: which customers you will focus on, which gap you can fill better than others, and how you will price compared with the market. Revisit the notes before you set prices and write website copy.

## Keep it current

Update your competitor notes every six months or when someone new opens nearby.

## Common questions

### How many competitors should I research?

Ten is plenty for most local businesses. Focus on the ones that show up first on Google Maps.

### Should I copy what competitors do?

Learn from them, but do not copy their text, photos or branding. Find the thing they do poorly and do it well.

### Should I call competitors pretending to be a customer?

Many owners gather public information instead. If you do contact competitors, be honest and respectful.

### How often should I update competitor research?

Once or twice a year, or when a new competitor opens nearby.

### Where can I see competitors' prices?

Their websites, Google profiles, menus and quotes they publish; some industries rarely post prices, so note the pricing approach instead.

## Sources

- SBA: Market research and competitive analysis: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/market-research-competitive-analysis

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