Competition research for new business idea

When considering launching a new venture—like an SEO blog writing service—it’s important to gauge both market demand and market saturation. There’s no single “magic bullet” metric, but rather a set of online signals and tools you can use. Here are some strategies you might consider:

1. Keyword Trends & Search Volume

Tools: Google Trends, Keyword Planner

Google Trends

Type in terms like “SEO blog writing,” “content writing service,” or “SEO writing freelancer.”
Look at the historical trend data: Is the search volume stable, increasing, or declining?
If it’s stable or climbing, that suggests ongoing or growing interest.

Keyword Research Tools (Keyword Planner)

Look at monthly search volume estimates and competition levels.
If a keyword has high volume and high competition, it could be a saturated or highly contested space.
If it has decent volume but lower competition, it might be a good opportunity.

💡 Signal to watch for: If many related keywords have very high competition or cost-per-click (CPC) in paid ads is high, it likely indicates a saturated field.

2. Competitive Landscape

Tools: Search engines (Google), Freelancer platforms (Upwork, Fiverr), Social networks (LinkedIn)

Direct Search

Google terms like “SEO blog writing service” or “SEO content writing services.”
Check how many ads appear in paid search results. A lot of ads from big players might signal saturation but also confirm demand.
Look at the organic results: Are they dominated by big agencies or smaller, niche providers?

Freelance Marketplaces

Browse Upwork or Fiverr for “SEO blog writing.”
Note how many freelancers or agencies are offering the service and how busy/successful they appear.

Search for “SEO content writer” or “SEO blog writing service.”
If thousands of people or agencies claim the same specialty, it can indicate strong competition.

💡 Signal to watch for: A field crowded with well-reviewed, established players suggests saturation. However, you might notice a gap—for instance, fewer providers specializing in a certain industry or format—indicating a potential niche.

3. Pricing Analysis

Tools: Competitors’ websites, Freelance platforms

Check Competitor Pricing:
- Look for a “race to the bottom” with low prices, or see if there’s space for premium services.
- If prices have dropped significantly or there’s fierce price competition, it may indicate saturation.
- If some competitors charge premium rates for specialized work (e.g., technical writing), there might still be room for a high-value niche.

💡 Signal to watch for: If you find many providers offering nearly identical pricing and packages, the service may be commoditized or saturated.

Tools: Reddit, Quora, Industry forums, Twitter, LinkedIn groups

Reddit / Quora

Browse relevant subreddits or threads about SEO content writing.
Look for common pain points or frequent complaints.

Track mentions of “SEO blog writing,” “content marketing service,” or related hashtags on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Determine whether people are actively seeking such services or if it’s mostly agencies pushing their offerings.

💡 Signal to watch for: If communities say “Everyone is an SEO writer now,” it indicates saturation.
But if they complain, “We can’t find quality or specialized writers,” that reveals a potential gap to fill.

5. Quality Gaps or Differentiation Opportunities

Even if a market appears saturated, you might uncover underserved segments:

Industry Specialization: Instead of being a generic SEO writer, consider focusing on a niche like healthcare, fintech, or technical B2B.
Service Bundling: Offer additional services such as distribution strategies, social media copy, or lead-generation funnels alongside blog writing.
Content Formats: Look into providing long-form e-books, “pillar” content strategies, or ghostwritten LinkedIn articles to differentiate yourself.

💡 Key Insight: Identify ways to stand out from generalist competitors—sub-niches, unique offerings, or bundled services.

6. Surveys & Direct Outreach

Tools: Google Forms, Typeform, LinkedIn polls, Email outreach

Ask Your Network

How do they currently handle content creation?
What issues do they face with existing providers or freelancers?
Are they satisfied with the quality and turnaround times?

Collect Data

Even a small survey can provide insight into whether there’s a unique angle for your service.

💡 Signal to watch for: If potential customers say “We can’t find providers that handle [specific pain point],” you might have a real opportunity.

7. Paid Advertising Tests

Tools: Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads

Run a small test campaign with a landing page describing your service.
Monitor:
- Cost per click (CPC)
- Click-through rate (CTR)
- Sign-ups or contact form submissions (conversion rate)

💡 If your CPC is very high and conversions are low, it might indicate stiff competition or weaker demand.
If leads are affordable and engagement is strong, it suggests a potentially viable market.

8. Analyze Trends from Industry Reports

Tools: Annual marketing reports (e.g., from HubSpot, Content Marketing Institute), Industry blogs

Look for annual or quarterly reports on content marketing and SEO trends.
Check growth projections, common challenges, and emerging opportunities.
A market with growing content marketing budgets may still have space for new players, even if competitive.

📌 Bringing It All Together

Check Demand
- Use Google Trends and keyword research to confirm there’s real, ongoing need.
Assess Competition
- Evaluate how many competitors exist and how they position/price their services.
Look for Gaps
- Find underserved niches or pain points by exploring communities, social listening, and industry-specific searches.
Validate
- Run small paid ads or conduct direct outreach to gauge interest before investing heavily.

A market can look “saturated” but still have pockets of opportunity.
The key is to differentiate—by specializing, bundling additional value, or solving a specific pain point better than the generalists.