How to design a product that distinguishes itself from the competition?

With today’s market flooded with countless alternatives, knowing how to differentiate your product from the competitors is a must. Of course, creating a unique offering is easier said than done, but there are always strategies to make the process a bit more manageable. And that’s exactly what this article aims to uncover. With years of experience (and tips from our experts), we’ve pulled together key insights to show you how to stand out in a way no one else has before.

Why is it hard to make a product different from others?

Making a product different from others is not an easy mission. There is more than one reason why striving to bring an ingenious idea to life results in an outcome that doesn’t meet expectations. Usually, it isn’t just because you lack creativity, but a series of subtle pitfalls can somehow contribute to a design. Falling into these traps can prevent you from leaving a solid mark on the industry. To avoid that, let’s take a closer look at the reasons behind it.

Playing it safe, like sticking to a template or following industry norms, will hold any big ideas back.

Imitating competitors’ features

We all know a distinguishing product feature is key to a successful launch. But what would happen if you relied too heavily on competitors? Incorporating existing functionality that has proven its value sounds like a good idea at first (that is, because you can quickly win over users!). Nevertheless, this approach might backfire in the long run.

In reality, chasing what competitors are doing doesn’t lead to product differentiation but dilutes your brand identity and leaves users to reconsider their selection. “Why would I choose a copycat instead of the original?” By the time they ask themselves this question, you would’ve already lost customer loyalty.

The smartphone market provides some interesting examples. Once a brand introduces a new feature, supposedly facial recognition, other players will quickly follow suit. This eventually becomes no more special but an industry standard. Hence, copying can be a double-edged sword — it keeps you from falling back but doesn’t help you to take the lead. Cracking the code starts with finding what makes your product unique.

Using template-driven design

While a template can provide an instant solution for achieving a decent design, it often stifles creativity. Consider WordPress themes — they allow you to launch a website or blog quickly, but they result in many having a similar appearance. Pre-made layouts, buttons, and typography fail to convey your brand story and don’t help your product get noticed.

In contrast, those who break away from tradition are more likely to differentiate themselves. This doesn’t mean you need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, reimagine it. Sometimes, it’s as simple as choosing the right shades, arranging the layout, and adding a surprise detail. And voila! You don’t sacrifice your originality by sticking to a template.

Creating familiar interfaces

Familiarity offers a sense of comfort yet at the cost of differentiation. Such interfaces are easier to navigate, but they limit the ability to leave a lasting impression on users. For instance, when every website has infinite scrolling and a search bar in the upper right corner, distinguishing one from another becomes increasingly difficult.

In addition, it’s common to research industry leaders for inspiration as a brainstorming step. While this method provides insights into future products, it may also lead to duplicative layouts. If you find yourself saying, “I want an app like Uber,” you’re likely to stumble into this familiarity trap.

Relying on rapid prototyping

Product differentiation doesn’t usually go hand in hand with rapid prototyping. The reason is that the pressure to deliver can undermine all efforts to create something unique. For instance, while the iterative design process allows you to quickly test a product’s form and functionality, it can also lead to shortcuts that might overlook opportunities for innovation.

When it comes to how to make your product stand out, the key is balancing speed and creativity. Prototyping offers opportunities to experiment and improve on the initial idea to see if your vision works in reality. Therefore, take time to dig deeper and find what sets your product apart from others rather than rushing it and ending up with a design that resembles many out there.

Struggling from creeping featurism

Also known as feature creep, this term refers to the continuous addition of new elements to a product. From our experience, we can confidently say that having more features doesn’t necessarily mean more value. These additions can quickly overshadow the core functionality and negatively impact the user experience.

A great example would be a mobile photo editing app. By adding buttons here, there, and everywhere, it’s easy to clutter the small screen and end up with users simply deleting the app. It becomes confusing to navigate, unclear what to do next, and overall too complicated — something people don’t want to spend time figuring out.

Complexity is one of the top reasons why people abandon a product.

The right approach is to keep it simple and focus on the fundamental purpose only. Rather than trying to please everyone by introducing more features, concentrate on aligning user needs with the product’s mission. This way, people won’t be overwhelmed but truly enjoy the central value that your product promises to bring. After all, less is more when making a product different from other similar products.

Sticking to conservative design 

One of the barriers to product differentiation can be a conservative design culture. If design teams play safe and avoid taking innovative risks, you’ll have a really small chance of diversifying your product from others. Working with what you already know is comfortable, but this rarely results in a breakthrough.

Let’s take Beats by Dre as an example. Previously, headphone brands prioritized technical specifications over design language. Beats appeared in the scene with bold, colorful headphones appealing to the fashion-savvy audience. This way, the brand shifted the notion of headphones as technical gadgets to fashion items.

Such an example shows that breaking away from conservative design — visually and conceptually — can deliver extraordinary outcomes. Therefore, a work culture that celebrates experimentation and challenges convention should be nurtured. The reward for you might be a product that changes the industry landscape.

How to make your product stand out from the crowd

Once we have identified the pitfalls, let’s discuss the solutions. It requires more than avoiding mistakes when talking about how to differentiate a product. Instead, you must rely on powerful strategies to let your brand shine. However, if you feel that you require professional help, our product design service experts are always ready to assist you.

Adopting the right strategies allows you to craft custom-made products for the audience.

Personalize the UI/UX

To stay different from other similar products, highly customized UI/UX is an incredible asset you should obtain. Here, the ultimate objective is to build a deeper emotional connection with the audience. The key is understanding your users’ needs and behaviors and designing an interface that speaks to them personally.

If you’re a newbie to this field, it’s best to consult the pros, starting by checking out UI & UX design services. Our structured approach ensures you won’t be held back by complex processes, surprising costs, or usability issues. To differentiate a product on your own, you can rely on the following tips:

1. Change common layouts.

The grid layout offers structure and simplicity, but it can often come across as predictable. If you want to switch things up, try to go beyond traditional. For example, using a split-screen design allows you to highlight two distinct aspects of the product at once, making the interface feel dynamic. When you aren’t afraid to experiment, you create opportunities to capture attention and easily push the boundaries of what’s possible. To explore some ideas, read our Understanding the grid layout design guide.

2. Add animations and interactivity.

Incorporating subtle animations and interactive elements can significantly enhance the user experience without overwhelming the audience. Consider hover effects, visual feedback, or dynamic background — they all engage visitors by adding delight to the journey. But don’t stop at this point, as there are countless other ways to improve the user experience and make it feel more personal. For some fresh ideas, check out our Top 13 website animations article.

3. Customize distinctive product features.

To reflect the brand’s true personality, focusing on features that are uniquely yours is a smart move. Think about how your favorite coffee shop creates a signature drink that’s exclusive to them — this small, distinct offering sets them apart. Similarly, adding custom tools, services, or functionalities only you provide can give users a one-of-a-kind experience. Analyze your brand from start to finish, and you’ll definitely find something that others can’t replicate.

Design a visual identity

If you think colors, fonts, icons, and other visual elements aren’t important, think again. At first glance, these small details may seem insignificant, but in reality, they shape the perception of your brand. Through visuals, the audience recognizes who you are and connects with your story, message, or mission. Through brand identity design, the audience recognizes who you are and connects with your story, message, or mission. To get it right from the start, you take care of these aspects:

1. Create a unique color palette & typography.

Colors and fonts set the mood and tone for your brand’s message. For instance, bold typography paired with dark tones can express strength and reliability, while softer colors and elegant fonts might suggest warmth and approachability. Here, the key is to make every visual element speak the right language to the audience. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out 25 most popular serif fonts to get ideas that can elevate your brand’s look.

2. Use original visuals.

Custom visuals, like illustrations created specifically for your brand, can do wonders. They give your design a unique edge over similar products relying on stock images and show users something they can’t find anywhere else. A logo also falls under this category — simply choosing a “pretty symbol” won’t cut it. A logo needs to communicate your core values and personality, and to achieve this, take a look at our article on How to design a logo for expert tips.

3. Compose innovative design.

You might find yourself with an existing design you want to refresh, or perhaps you’re starting from scratch with a blank canvas. Either way, don’t limit creative space. Bring in experts, analyze the market, hold brainstorming sessions, and watch as your imagination unfolds. The possibilities are endless: custom shapes, unconventional layouts, or even DIY font styles. But no matter how you approach it, your focus should always remain on one thing — your brand’s core goal.

Adopt innovative functionality

Differentiating the product starts with rethinking how it works to deliver users the most meaningful experience. This is no longer about the solutions you offer but about how you offer them. To understand the direction to take, you can conduct a UX design audit and uncover issues that may go unnoticed by the untrained eye.

The underlying force of product differentiation is user experience. Once you’re familiar with it, you can strengthen the product’s position and enhance how the audience interacts with it.

But keep in mind, adding more features won’t work the magic. Continuously refining the core functionality is what helps your product become indispensable. You can achieve this by practicing the following key steps:

1. A fresh approach to navigation.

Following traditional menus isn’t an innovative move. As an alternative, you can explore new methods to guide users, leading them from one page to another effortlessly. The main point is to improve their satisfaction through a novel selection of navigation patterns. Break complex processes into small, digestible steps, add a bit of playful touches, and see how these small adjustments create a more engaging and intuitive experience.

2. Introduce dynamic UI elements.

Differentiation usually comes from small yet impactful changes, like incorporating dynamic UI elements. Real-time updates or interactive illustrations make the design alive, setting it apart from static interfaces. For example, by introducing a feature that allows users to adjust displayed content based on their preferences, you add a more personalized touch. This kind of interactivity will improve the experience significantly, leaving a strong impression and setting a cornerstone for loyalty.

3. Provide inclusive design.

Inclusive design paves the way for product accessibility by considering the diverse needs of all users. By adopting this approach, you can reach a broader audience, including those people with disabilities. Features like screen readers, adaptive keyboards, and color recognition can make your solution more usable for individuals. To get more details on how to embrace inclusive design, refer to our comprehensive article on What is inclusive design.

Feels like it’s the start of something incredible 

Many business owners want to make an impression but shy away from pushing the limits, worried about being too “unconventional.” It’s a common situation. But what can we say in this case? — Don’t be afraid. It might sound simple (and perhaps not very convincing), but as a company with years of experience, we can confidently affirm that if you don’t take risks, you miss out on the chance to differ. 

When working with our team, you won’t just get a “done” design with a simple “here you go.” Instead, we analyze the market, gather a mood board, and take smart steps to provide a personalized experience. This is a collaborative process where you share the vision, and together, we’ll bring it to life in a unique way. Change always triggers improvement, and maybe your product is exactly what needs it.