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Direct Competitors: "In-Depth Competitive Analysis", using SWOT
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Good ReadsBookworm ReadsBooklyThe StoryGraphLibraryThing
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In one sentence, what do they do?
(I.e. What service do they provide?)
-Provides a comunity focused app and website for readers to share with friends what they thought about a book.Track reading, see what friends are reading, keep up with a community-Provides a space to set specific reading goals (quantity and length of time).They provide habit tracking to readers that would like to be aware of their common reading habits and prefrences.-Provide a place to catalong books digitally, discussion forums, and recommedations.
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What features do their product/website have?-See what friends are reading
-Track books (past reads, currently reading, and want to read)
-Personalized book recommendations (algorithm)
-Community reviews
-Dress up a worm (Persona Avatar) Organize books on a shelf
-“Wormy updates”
-History of profile and follower count
-Import library from other apps
-Recommend books
-Rate books
-Leave reviews
-Discuss books
-Readathons for community
-Tracks progress on a graph
-Gamifies reading challenges by winning "prizes". Ex) Outfit for avatar and reading challenge extensions
-(Paid Feature) Book reading stats
-Encourages you to journal about what you read when you are done with each session
-Can talk to other book lovers about books! Over 3 million. Can join groups.
-Direct share to social media (connect account to facebook, twitter, litsy and “swapsites”)
-Games
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Who are their customers/users?-All ages, occupations and locations (online).-Most likely geared towards Gen X-Z users with colors, playful fonts, and strong social media brand representations. -Both new and avid readers-People who want to make reading more of a habit-Caters to a mature audience
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Strengths:
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What advantages does the business have?-Longstanding history of being a top resource in their field. “Happy community vibe” and strong social media presence. Lots of personalizable features (in-app bookshelf, dress a worm avatar). “Bookworm Bingo” to feel a sense of community and accomplishment.
-Reminders
-Calming music
-Tracking with a graph
-log and rate books
-interact with friends
-reading challenges
-Choose next book based on mood and favorite topics (self trends)
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What are their core competencies?Ability to take a peek at the books that your friends are reading (personal and close to home) to see what they think of them.--Cute factor and personality-No social app distractions-Turning reaidng into a business-like experience-Turning reaidng into a business-like experience
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Where are they making the most money?-Ads and partnerships to promote books-Subscriptions for perks-Subscription-Charges users a fee to log more than 200 books
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What are they doing well?-Doing something new and fun, goofy.-They have recognized that not all book readers want to socialize with a community-Offering in depth stats, specific to your reading
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Weaknesses:
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What needs improvement?-Seen as performative to report how many books you are reading to others. To seem like "a well read person".-A lot of their core personalizable features and tracking tools are subscription only-Doesn't say that you can share to others your progress (not really a social network/community)
-Timer keeps counting even if they leave the app to scroll etc.
-Not completely free (Ads, memberships and fees)
-More general use (used for looking up books, accessing a catalog, and discussing them with other people).
-Website looks old
-Tons to do on the website and tons of activities, methods and interactions. -Takes some learning. (Not focused on habit tracking)
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What are they doing poorly?-Not listening to consumer feedback
-Algorithm leading what is pushed (not good for authors because it is expensive to keep up with)
-UI potentially too trendy-App only-UI is outdated and it has a lot of random small features.
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What areas are they avoiding?-More moderators Analytical trackings of habits-Social interactions-Tracking personal reading habits ouside of offering a reading challenge
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Where do they lack resources?-UI is not inspiring (lots of white and beige)
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Where are they losing money?-Not addressing issues that their customers are bringing up-Cater more to people who read at a steady and focused pace-UI and purpose is not straightfoward in website functionalities.
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Opportunities:
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Do you notice any beneficial trends?-Reading Challenges-Bookworm Bingo (Reading Challenge hosted via their social media)-Win "diamonds" for app mascot outfits
-Ambient music
-Take notes, write down notes, and bookmark words to look up later
-Collect badges as you accomplish
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What niches is this competitor missing?-Photo Stories for updates/status
-Direct Messages
-Not very many-Mentioned that mybe doesnt track amount of time left reading in the book (like Kindle Fire)-Better, more visually appealing UI-Better, more visually appealing UI
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New technologies/innovations?-Status updating and liking posts -content warnings for books, ability for them to be author approved-content warnings for books, ability for them to be author approved
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New needs of customers?-need to be able to sync to apps like Goodreads and other popular book tracking apps-Outdated concept of a website or app mainly for "Cataloging books"
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Threats:
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What obstacles will they have to overcome?-Competitors noticing weaknesses and creating based off of consumer needs-Trends becoming outdated (colors and graphics)-You have to have your phone near you for a lot of the features. Website capability may combat this.-An easier way to track coming along-An easier way to track coming along
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Do they have any aggressive competitors?
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Do they have any successful competitors?
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Are they in a changing business climate?-Yes, readers are changing along with how people's habits and needs are redirected
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What vulnerabilities do they have?-It's unregulated and authors risk low ratings due to misuse (potentially plummets sales)Not flexible in theme (restricted audience)-App only and users can only utilize long term tracking if they pay for the subscription that allows them to keep more than 10 books in their collection.-Oudated UI