The single best way to stand out from your competitors is to be indispensable to your customers. This means that you have to provide above and beyond customer service. Here are some others ways to stand out from the copycats.
Create a Recognizable Gimmick
Design a memorable logo that appeals to your customer base. This can even be in the form of a slogan or jingle. The point is to make yourself appear and sound different than your competitors. You want to be recognizable even without your name on the advertisement. Grab the attention of those that may be interested in your products or services. Consider developing something that you can trademark or patent. This will give you an edge over your competition. They will have to come up with something of their own in order to compete with you.
Have a Unique Domain
Purchase a unique domain name for your website. You can incorporate your logo idea into this domain name. This will allow you to be memorable on two fronts. Your customers only need to remember the unique logo that they saw in order to find you on the internet. Some domains are more self-explanatory than others. Consider using your unique slogan and attaching it to the nature of your industry. For example, using .boats would be a lot more unique than just having it be .com or .net.
Participate in Charitable Organizations
Pairing your name with well-known charities is another way to gain some brand recognition. You can write off your charitable contributions on your taxes and gain some free advertising opportunities. People are more likely to remember you if they feel like you share their sense of social responsibility. This can allow you to rise above another company that may be trying to copy your business model. It also improves your image in the community.
Develop an Outstanding Product Line
In order to be memorable, you need to have a product line that sets you apart. Customers are more likely to stick with you over a competitor if what you’re offering has more features. Another thing to take under advisement is usability. The ease of use in conjunction with outstanding customer service can make you a contender. Your competitors may be struggling to keep up with your more innovative approach. Have employees that share your vision in order to develop products to help you stand out from the crowd.
There will always be copycats in the world. Establish your own identity in order to set yourself apart from the pretenders.