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We're Avapond. We're like business detectives. Challenge your assumptions. Figure out the culprit. And build whatever you need to get there.

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Glossary Stand out from your competitors 2 min read

What is a unique selling point (USP)?

Short answer

A unique selling point (USP) is the thing you offer that your competitors don't. It's the specific reason a customer would pick you over any other business. A strong USP is something customers actually care about, and something you can prove.

Also known as: USP

Contents

Why it matters

Customers compare. Even if they don't sit down with a spreadsheet, they're weighing you up against the other options in their head. A clear USP gives them a reason to choose you that isn't just price.

It also makes your marketing much easier to write. When you know what sets you apart, you know what to lead with. Without one, websites tend to fill up with phrases like "quality service" and "tailored solutions", which could describe almost anyone.

These days marketers often prefer "value proposition". But USP is still what most people search for and say in meetings, so it's worth knowing what it means.

Common mistakes

  • Picking something everyone offers.

    Friendly staff or fast replies are good things to have. If your competitors offer them too, they aren't unique.

  • Choosing something customers don't care about.

    Plenty of businesses lead with how long they've been around. Unless those years make a real difference to the customer, they won't sway anyone.

  • Making a claim you can't back up.

    "The best in the business" is easy to say and impossible to prove. Customers know it. (How many coffee shops in NY have the best coffee in the world? Too many to count.)

  • Hiding it.

    Your USP should be near the top of your homepage, not buried on page three of a brochure.

How to get started

  • List what you do well. Be honest, and be specific. "We reply within the hour" is more useful than "great service".
  • Cross off anything your competitors also say. Check their websites. Whatever's left is a candidate.
  • Ask customers what they value. Find out why they chose you and why they stay. Their answers might surprise you.
  • Look for the overlap. Your strongest USP is usually something customers care about that few (ideally none) competitors can claim.
  • Write it in a sentence. Keep it short and concrete enough that a customer could repeat it to a friend.
  • Prove it. A real result or a guarantee will do far more than an adjective.

FAQs

What's the difference between a USP and a value proposition?

They overlap a lot. A USP focuses on what makes you different from competitors. A value proposition is broader and covers the overall value a customer gets from working with you. Your USP is usually one part of your value proposition.

Does every business need a USP?

Every business needs a reason for customers to choose it. Whether you call it a USP or something else doesn't matter much. What matters is that you know what it is.

What if we don't have anything unique?

Most businesses have more than they think. It might be who you specialise in, or the way you work with customers. Sometimes it's about saying something clearly that competitors are too vague to say.

Can a USP be price?

It can, but it's risky. Someone can always come along and be cheaper. A USP based on something harder to copy tends to last longer.