What is a Perceptual Map Template?
A Perceptual Map Template is a strategic tool used to visually represent how customers perceive a brand, product, or service compared to competitors. The map typically features two key axes, each representing attributes important to the target audience, such as price, quality, innovation, or convenience. By positioning various brands or products within this map, companies can easily identify gaps in the market, understand competitive positioning, and make strategic decisions to improve their market stance. This template helps teams clarify their competitive landscape and align their offerings with consumer expectations.
How to Use a Perceptual Map Template in Creately?
- Click on “Edit this Template” of the Perceptual Map template to open it in the editor. Or go to the Templates section in the Creately app, enter “Perceptual Map” in the search bar, and select Use Template or Add to Workspace to start editing.
- By default, the Perceptual Map includes two primary axes. To tailor the analysis to your needs, double-click on each axis and customize the labels according to relevant attributes, such as Price and Quality or any other key factors like Innovation or Brand Loyalty. This customization feature lets you precisely align the template with your analysis criteria.
- Use Creately’s drag-and-drop functionality to add items to the map. Select relevant shapes from the Shape Library to represent each brand or product and drag them onto the canvas. Position these items on the map based on data or customer perceptions. For a technical edge, use data-driven insights to determine exact placements on the axes.
- Creately’s Format Toolbar lets you apply distinct colors and icons to each item, making it easy to differentiate between brands, categories, or segments. This feature helps you visually group items, such as using different colors for premium vs. budget brands or high vs. low quality products. For further customization, you can apply unique icons to make the visual map more intuitive and memorable.
- Enhance your perceptual map with Sticky Notes or Text Boxes from the Creately Shape Library to add annotations. These can include context, insights, or strategic recommendations beside each product or brand. For example, note competitive advantages, areas for improvement, or customer perceptions. This feature helps you present comprehensive insights within the same visual layout.
- Creately offers powerful collaboration features. Click the Share button to invite team members or stakeholders to your project. They can view, edit, and provide comments directly on the map. The Add Comment function allows colleagues to leave specific feedback beside each item, enabling a collaborative review process and enhancing your strategic analysis with diverse perspectives.
- After mapping the products, examine areas with minimal representation on the map, identifying market gaps or potential opportunities. Use Creately’s Grid and Snap-to-Grid options for accurate placements, ensuring a clear view of where gaps exist and how to adjust strategies accordingly.
- Once finalized, click Export to save the map in various formats like JPEG, PNG, SVG, or PDF. This export functionality ensures easy integration into presentations, strategy reports, or documentation. You can also choose high-quality PDF exports for print or digital sharing with stakeholders, enhancing visibility and accessibility.