What Can You Learn From Your Competitors
How well do you know your care competitors?
Every year, as medical advancements help people live longer, fuller lives, the need for care naturally grows, driving the demand for a broader range of services than ever before. As of 2026, the UK is home to nearly 17,000 care homes and more than 13,000 home care providers; a figure that continues to rise year after year.
Providers are having to evolve at the same rate, carving out success by targeting niche sectors, innovating with new technologies or expanding their offerings as ways to differentiate themselves. We are also seeing a growing number of care providers placing greater emphasis on community engagement within their marketing approach, often supported by dedicated business development roles. But the repercussions of such a busy and ever-changing landscape are clear, and for existing businesses, it’s becoming all too easy to fall behind
What can you do?
Knowing who your competitors are is the first step to surpassing them. This is where conducting a competitive analysis can be invaluable, no matter what stage your business is at.
A competitive analysis is far more than a list of facts; it is a research activity that allows you to make more informed decisions based on what your competitors are doing and the current changes in the market. A competitor analysis can take many forms, but it always focuses on finding out who your competitors are, researching their marketing strategies, and doing a deep dive into their offerings.
Our research shows that while some providers are repositioning themselves towards a more premium offering, maintaining consistency across touchpoints such as telephone enquiries and social media is where many providers fall short. If done well, you should be able to isolate their strengths and weaknesses and, in turn, identify what makes your company truly unique. These features can then become important marketing points, as they are what only YOU can offer.
How to start?
Starting a competitor analysis can feel like a formidable task. Who exactly are your competitors? And what information is truly worth your attention?
To make things easier, we have put together a handy Competitor Analysis table, which you can use as a starting point.
We know how individual the care industry is and have seen first-hand that every organisation offers something unique. That’s why it’s important not to overlook your own strengths, as the real value of competitor analysis comes from understanding how you compare. Online visibility can also differ significantly across the market, with savvy providers actively building a strong presence through Google reviews, while others have limited review activity in comparison.
We can do the hard work for you!
Don’t worry if you don’t have the time! That’s where we come in. At My Way Marketing, we offer a comprehensive competitor insight service where we do the hard work; you receive a in depth but clear-to-read report which breaks down the current market for you, highlights key competitors in your local area, and provides actionable insights to help your organisation gain a competitive edge. With our deep experience in the care sector, we know exactly what to look for, and by conducting mystery shopping calls, we can make sure your competitors are actually delivering on what they promise, not just all talk.
Does this sound like something you are interested in? Find out more here.
Want to stay in the know?
We also have a newsletter, where you can keep up to date with all things marketing in the care sector.