Source: Web design blog How do you feel when you see the #1 site for your top keyword and your site stands very low? Many of us thought, some day I’ll be #1. But do you know you can take advantage of that #1 site and few other in top… your biggest competitors? but how?? Here we go… To make this article really simple and really good I am writing the methods in points: 1. Analyze the keywords: This is very first thing you should take advantage of. Pick some good keywords from your competitors site. In general, #1 sites are excellent sites where seo is done like anything. Take advantage to their hard work in finding good keywords. [Note: Do not have blind faith though] 2. Take idea of keyword placement: Just take the idea… do not copy. See how they have used top keywords in their text. Now, put your brain a little and write better text on your site using the idea. I understand, I may not be very clear here. What I am trying to point out is… see the sentences they are using in which your top keyword is there. I assume you know keyword density, frequency, stuffing, spamming like terms…so I am not going to teach you on-page seo. lol 3. Build reciprocal link directory quickly: Here you really feel, how good your competition could be for you. Just go the link directory page of your competitors and simply copy all their link partners and build your reciprocal link directory quickly. They have spend tons of time in searching good link partners and leaving only those link partners who are interested in reciprocal links. This is really save your hundreds of hours. Now you just contact those partners have very good reciprocal link building in much less time. 4. Build one way links: Again the same method… use google or other search engines and find their potential links…go and take the links from them quickly. 5. Grab affiliates (if apply): If you and your competition have affiliates then go and find out affiliates of your competitors, what products they are selling and how much is the commission. Then contact those affiliates and grab them. It is ALWAYS good idea to track your competitors and get informed regularly what they are doing. You must know the weakness and strength of your competitors. That way you can materialize their weakness and strength. Good Luck.
Just like with any kind of business, if you want to beat your competitors, find a need, fill it, and find their faults and simply do better. Provide quality information, content, services, products, etc., and make sure you're the best at what you're doing in the specific market you're targeting. You'll build your reputation, natural buzz, and natural higher-quality backlinks to help with SEO. A lot of webmasters are just extremely short-sighted... take a look at pretty much any significant site... it's always about reputation, buzz, or a combination of the two in the end.
Exactly what I was going to say, but to add on, if you have no clue what your doing online, find someone successful, take their advice and do everything they are doing. If success does not manifest than that means your doing something wrong.