How to Research Your Competitors: Free Websites

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments, and several directories can be searched using NAICS codes. Also, several of the library's resources that have industry reports, trade articles, and financial ratios can be searched using NAICS codes. This website has a keyword search option that will allow you to find the right code for your business.

The Census Business Builder (CBB) is a one-stop resource for information about the customers, competition, and market for small businesses. This suite of services provide selected demographic and economic data from the Census Bureau tailored to specific types of users in a simple to access and use format. The Small Business Edition of the Census Business Builder is built primarily for small business owners who need key data for their business plan or to better understand their potential market. It presents data for a single type of business and geography at a time.

The County Business Patterns and the ZIP Code Business Patterns from the Economic Census trace the number of establishments, the quarterly payroll, the annual payroll, the total employment, and the number of establishments in broad economic sectors in different geographies.

The Economic Census is the U.S. government’s official 5-year measure of American businesses and the economy. It provides the most comprehensive data available at the national, state, and local level, representing all industries and geographies.

All companies with that are publicly traded or have public debt must file reports and financial information to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which can be searched using the EDGAR company filings. The annual report, or 10k, contains a companies financials as well their interpretation of the competitive landscape. Other filings, such as the 8K, may also have relevant news about the company and its place in the market.

Google Maps is an excellent way to map out your competition when your business is tied to a physical location. Seeing where your competition is located can guide your decision on where to locate your business. The entries on Google Maps generally have links to the websites, menus, social media accounts, and they also usually have photos as well as the hours of operation. These entries also usually list the "Popular hours" for rival businesses. All of these pieces of information can help guide the decisions that you need to make about the "look and feel" of your establishment as well as your staffing decisions.

This resource furthers corporate transparency by compiling data (such as registered address, directors, and jurisdiction) on millions of companies all over the world. Some company records include their patents and trademarks.

"State of the Chains, 2023" is the Center for an Urban Future's 16th annual report on national retailer rankings. The analysis observes New York City's 3.1 percent decrease in chain stores across the five boroughs over the past year—the second-largest single-year decline since tracking began in 2008, surpassed only by the first year of the pandemic in 2020. Click the link for in-depth details and more dynamic market comparisons produced by the Center for an Urban Future (CUF). The Center for an Urban Future (CUF) is an independent and nonpartisan policy organization in New York City that focuses on promoting intelligent and sustainable policies. With a 25-year history, CUF has consistently advocated for policies that reduce inequality, enhance economic mobility, and foster the city's economic growth. Using fact-based research, CUF has been instrumental in highlighting crucial but often overlooked issues in the economic opportunity debate. The organization's core objectives involve boosting the city's economy, increasing middle-income jobs, facilitating skill development for broader career access, and enhancing the overall quality of life in New York City and its diverse neighborhoods.