What Is Web Scraping?
The Internet is a repository of the world’s data. Despite its abundance, information is not always easy to access, as many websites typically don’t provide the option to save the data automatically. Extracting large datasets manually is time-consuming and will hinder any professional working with information. That’s where web scraping comes into the picture. The automatic data extraction tool saves time and effort while providing access to product details, stock prices, contacts, and other invaluable data. How Does Web Scraping Work?
From self-build scrapers to anti-detect browsers like OctoBrowser, there are many types of web scrapers. Despite the differences, they all function similarly: After giving the web scraper the URL address, the software loads the web page HTLM code and starts data extraction. Depending on the preliminary instructions, the scraper can extract all data or only the specific information the users indicate, like pricing, images, etc. Afterward, the scraper saves the extracted data as an Excel spreadsheet, CSV file, or another usable format.
What Is Web Scraping Used for?
The data extraction software has many applications in different spheres, including market intelligence, dynamic pricing, lead generation, etc. Here are the most common web scraping uses:
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Price Scraping. By saving and comparing competitor pricing information and other real-time market data, e-commerce and dropshipping businesses and larger retailers can create their pricing strategies.
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Research. From journalists to market researchers, web scraping is a necessary day-to-day tool allowing professionals to examine market trends, financial market data, up-to-date real estate data, etc.
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Lead Generation. Another direct application of web scraping is lead generation — a process of building interest in your product or service. To better understand the target audience, comb through competitors' platforms, gain access to lead lists, and boost your sales.
To wrap it up, scraping should become part of your digital toolkit if you’re constantly working with large swathes of data. Whether you’re an e-commerce business owner, an SMM specialist, or another professional who daily works with information, web scrapers will allow you to comb through multiple websites, generate relevant data to improve your strategies, and save time and effort.
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