SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis

This is a guide only to assist you in getting started when carrying out your own SWOT analysis.
Outlined are some of the issues you may need to consider, they are not the only issues to consider but rather a sample of what needs to be considered. This analysis should be relevant to the task of preparing your online marketing plan.

Strengths

That special edge that allows you to deal with the market better than your competitor.
Things that the business is good at – things that the business can build on.
When thinking of strengths consider:
Unique products and services
Capital base
The management team
The skills of the people working for the company
Service standards to customers
The quality of products
The location of the business
Suppliers to the business
Low-cost structure
Marketing skills

Weaknesses

Understanding your business weakness and forming a realistic response to overcome them.
Things that your business is not good at – things you need to eliminate or strengthen.
Issues to consider include
High-cost structure of the business
The quality of products
The skills of your people
Poor customer service
Low morale
Low sales power
Ineffective management
Outdated technology to communicate with customers
Lack of capital

Opportunities

What will help improve the overall position of the business – what opportunities are available to capitalise on.
Issues to consider include
New markets opening up
New technology being introduced
Improved customer service by being online
New way of doing things, faster and cheaper Threats
What threatens the future viability and growth of the business online.
Issue to consider include
Action taken by competitors
Speed with which competitors can implement new technologies online
Global branding of products
Government policy
Size of the business

Threats

What threatens the future viability and growth of the business online.
Issue to consider include
Action taken by competitors
Speed with which competitors can implement new technologies online
Global branding of products
Government policy
Size of the business

Do a SWOT analysis. Use the model outlined above to get you started