How do you react to a new competitor rising?

[Cedric]

Imagine this: You launch a new forum in a niche that already has a few players, but you bring something fresh to the table - a new perspective, better features, or a more engaging community. Your forum takes off, quickly becoming the go-to spot in the niche. For about 6 months, you’re riding high, enjoying the top spot in terms of activity and popularity.

Then, out of nowhere, a new competitor emerges. Almost overnight, the spotlight shifts to them. Their forum is buzzing, and suddenly yours feels quieter, even though it’s far from dead. The new competitor is now the one boasting about their activity, and you’re left wondering what happened.

So, what do you do in the long term? How do you react to this new competition? Do you double down on what made your forum successful in the first place, or do you pivot to stay relevant? How do you keep your forum afloat and ensure it doesn’t get overshadowed?

Have you ever been in a situation like this? How did it turn out?

 

[Shawn Gossman]

The competition used to worry me way back when, but I still allowed it on my forum even if they didn't allow me back. That always said a lot about me and a lot about them.

But nowadays, I'm for it. More competition might mean more people get into forums and the niches we're so passionate about!

 

[Cpvr]

I’d say bring it and let’s battle it out.

But, honestly, I’d double down on what made my forum popular in the first place and continue to do what we do best. I’d also step up my marketing tactics and work on driving in new members. That way, the competition wouldn’t have an advantage over my forum.

The key is to provide things that your competitor doesn’t.

 

[CTS]

I think you have to just focus on making your community, community. And try to be the best you can with what you got for the purposes of your forum.

But the minute you start looking at other sites as competition, you may start doing things to your site that won't necessarily reflect your sites style. Like a dog chasing his own tail, you find yourself never achieving what you expected for results.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Bawse]

I’d say bring it and let’s battle it out.

But, honestly, I’d double down on what made my forum popular in the first place and continue to do what we do best. I’d also step up my marketing tactics and work on driving in new members. That way, the competition wouldn’t have an advantage over my forum.

The key is to provide things that your competitor doesn’t.

 

[JoelR]

The internet is a big place, and users can be members of many forums. No one can claim a monopoly on any one member.

As long as you stay true to your strategy and course, then you focus on what you can control.

 

[Nomad]

There is still room for me to grow despite the new competitor getting all the attention. I am not afraid of competition, internet is a big space. But I will certainly analyses why the competitor is growing and what makes people choose that one over me and based on my analysis I will try to implement strategies for growth. Actually competition does not scare me in the forum world