How to deal with competition/Copycats

[Tony I]

What is the best way to deal with copycats/competition? Is it just a cost of running an internet business?

The thing that comes to mind is that I need to improve my branding/deliver more value. also try to create a bigger barrier to others entering the market.


example:

importing/selling a product on amazon.

someone undercuts you on your product. takes market share and increases saturation.

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Hope]

Why not just buy them out?

 

[XOthermic]

I guess it depends on perspective.
Buying them out as a small business yourself is probably not an option.

vague things like better service, branding, promotions, ect come to mind at first.

I would be interested in hearing anyone who had real small business experience on this.

 

[BlakeIC]

Why not just buy them out?

Ha!


Op you need a higher barrier to entry to minimize the amount of copying done of your site

Even then people will still do it

You just gotta out perform and have better branding at that point

OR give them bad advice during their start up so they will more than likely fail


EDIT: Also I wouldn't recommend par-taking in the throat cutting with prices as the lower

in my opinion always seem to be of less value (Although I am not your target audience)

Anyways people may perceive your brand as having more value so I wouldn't bother with dropping your prices

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[TJPB]

Branding is key. With Amazon, it's all about price. I don't care who I buy from as long as it's the cheapest and it's what I want.

If you have a product that anyone with access to Alibaba can order and sell on Amazon...it's going to be a rough go. Even enhancing your branding won't do to much if you only sell on Amazon/eBay.

 

[jilla82]

Get off Amazon.

 

[Hope]

If I were to be selling other peoples products, why shouldn't I just make my own site in a niche topic and market the products there? the marketing would be easier, and you'd have greater control over your "brand", rather then going to a massive website like amazon or Alibaba.

If its a product I myself am designing and making, well... that's a different story.

But for selling other peoples products I think I'll go with a niche site.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[EnglandBorn]

Dollar Shave Club essentially buys razor blades that anyone can buy from overseas and resells them.

But, try taking their market share right now.....

Build a community aka fanatics aka branding