Information Gathering & Competitor Analysis

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Objective: Analyze client submission and conduct competitive research
Trigger: Website intake form submitted
Owner: Project Manager
Steps:
  1. Review automated email notification from form submission
  1. Download form submission PDF from email attachment. Direct link to the form is also emailed to the Project Management Team.
      2. Form Submission Results.pdf
      418.7KB
      Example of Form Submission emailed to Project Management Team
  1. Access SmartSuite "Docs" database inside the Website Management Solution
  1. Create new record with following details:
      • Document Title: "[Client Name] - Competitor Analysis"
      • Client/Account: [Link to client record]
      • Document Type: "Competitor Analysis"
      • Project Phase: "Discovery"
      • Status: "Draft"
  1. Download Competitor Analysis Template from shared resources
  1. Complete analysis using template:
      • Extract key information from form submission
      • Research 3-5 direct competitors in client's industry/area
      • Analyze client's provided reference websites
      • Document differentiation opportunities
      • Make platform and feature recommendations
  1. Save completed document and upload to SmartSuite record
  1. Update record status to "In Review"
  1. Add key findings summary to "Key Findings" field
  1. Document next actions in "Next Actions Required" field
  1. Flag any client clarification needs for follow-up
  1. Notify team that analysis is complete and ready for sitemap phase
Completion Criteria: Competitor analysis document completed, uploaded to SmartSuite, and team notified

COMPETITOR ANALYSIS & PROJECT BRIEF TEMPLATE

COMPETITOR ANALYSIS & PROJECT BRIEFClient: [Client Name] | Project: [Project Type] | Date: [Date] | Form Source: [Client Portal/Website]

CLIENT OVERVIEW

Business: [Company Name]
Contact: [Full Name] | [Email] | [Phone]
Address: [Business Address]
Industry: [Industry Type - inferred from business description]
Current Domain: [Existing domain or "New domain needed"]
Target Audience: [From "Who is the Website For?"]
Primary Goal: [From "Purpose of your website"]
Timeline: [From Project Timeline field]

CLIENT REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Products/Services: [From form submission]
Business Operations: [How does your business operate?]
Sales Functionality Needed:
  • [List selected options from form]
  • [Other functionality described]
Key Website Features Required:
  • [List all selected features from form]
  • [Other features described]
Starting Website Pages:
  • [List all selected pages]
  • [Additional pages mentioned in "Other"]

DESIGN DIRECTION & ASSETS

Design Vision: [Client's description]
Brand Colors: [Client's color preferences]
Typography Style: [Selected style + any other preferences]
Design Assets Provided: [Note if logo/images were uploaded]
Client-Provided Inspiration:Website: [Inspiration websites listed]
What They Love: [Client feedback on references]

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Platform Preference: [Client selection or "Let experts choose"]
Migration Needs: [New site vs migration details]
Data Integration: [Client's integration needs]
Security/Compliance: [Any special requirements]

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Research 3-5 direct competitors in [Client's Industry/Location]
Competitor 1: [Company Name & URL]
  • Strengths: [What they do well]
  • Weaknesses: [Areas for improvement]
  • Key Features: [Notable functionality]
  • Design Notes: [Visual observations]
  • Pricing/Model: [How they structure offerings]
Competitor 2: [Company Name & URL]
  • Strengths:
  • Weaknesses:
  • Key Features:
  • Design Notes:
  • Pricing/Model:
Competitor 3: [Company Name & URL]
  • Strengths:
  • Weaknesses:
  • Key Features:
  • Design Notes:
  • Pricing/Model:

REFERENCE SITE ANALYSIS

Deep dive into client's provided inspiration sites
Site: [URL from client form]
  • Design Elements: [Colors, layout, typography they mentioned loving]
  • Functionality: [Key features they likely want to replicate]
  • User Experience: [Navigation, flow, ease of use]
  • Technical Notes: [Platform, performance, mobile responsiveness]
  • Content Strategy: [How they organize and present information]
  • Why Client Likes It: [Specific feedback from form]

GAP ANALYSIS & OPPORTUNITIES

Market Gaps Identified:
  • [What competitors are missing that client could capitalize on]
Client Advantages:
  • [Unique aspects of client's business/offerings]
  • [Geographic/niche advantages]
Differentiation Opportunities:
  • Visual: [How to stand out design-wise]
  • Functional: [Features competitors lack]
  • Content: [Better ways to communicate value]
  • User Experience: [Improvements over competition]

STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

Platform Recommendation: [WordPress/Shopify/etc. with detailed reasoning]
Must-Have Features:
  • [From form requirements]
  • [Based on competitive analysis]
Recommended Additional Features:
  • [Nice-to-have features that would give competitive advantage]
Design Direction:
  • [Style recommendations based on preferences + market analysis]
  • [How to achieve "clean and trustworthy" while standing out]
Content Strategy:
  • [Key messaging opportunities]
  • [Content that competitors are missing]

PROJECT PLANNING NOTES

Technical Considerations:
  • [Platform integrations needed]
  • [Special functionality requirements]
  • [Performance considerations]
Timeline Considerations:
  • Client Deadline: [From form]
  • Complexity Assessment: [Based on requirements]
  • Potential Roadblocks: [Any challenges identified]
Resource Requirements:
  • Design: [Estimated complexity]
  • Development: [Technical requirements]
  • Content: [Custom content needs]
  • Integration: [Third-party connections needed]

IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS

Review findings with client (if clarification needed)
Create detailed sitemap based on analysis
Begin wireframing priority pages
Schedule design kickoff meeting
[Any specific follow-up items identified]
Analyst: [Team member name]
Analysis Date: [Date completed]
Client Review Needed: [Yes/No and why]