> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.octoparse.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Competitor price and stock monitoring

> Build a competitor price and stock monitoring workflow in Octoparse, from selecting a template to scheduling runs and syncing results to Google Sheets.

# Competitor price and stock monitoring with Octoparse

Use this workflow when you need a repeatable view of selected competitors' product prices, availability, or promotions. In Octoparse, the practical path is to start with a template or task, validate the fields, schedule recurring runs, and deliver the output to Google Sheets for review.

The result is a maintained dataset for monitoring—not a one-time list of prices.

## What this workflow helps you do

* Track selected product pages or listings at a cadence that matches your business need.
* Collect fields such as product name, URL, current price, list price, availability, seller, and promotion text when they are available on the target page.
* Keep recurring output in a shared Google Sheet.
* Review missing fields, duplicates, and failed runs before relying on the data.

<Note>
  This workflow is designed for publicly accessible product information. The fields available and the task's stability depend on the target website, its page structure, and its access requirements.
</Note>

## Before you build the task

Define the decision the data must support before selecting fields or a run frequency.

| Decide first         | Example                                                                     |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Products to monitor  | A fixed list of competitor SKUs or a category listing                       |
| Fields to collect    | Current price, list price, stock status, seller, product URL                |
| Refresh cadence      | Daily for routine monitoring; more often only when the decision requires it |
| Delivery destination | A raw-data tab in Google Sheets, separate from analysis formulas or charts  |
| Review rule          | Which changes or missing values need human review                           |

Use stable product identifiers or URLs whenever possible. Product titles and variants can change, so they are weaker matching keys on their own.

## Build the workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find a starting template or create a task">
    Search the [template library](https://www.octoparse.com/template) for the target website or data type. If it does not include the required page flow or fields, use Auto-detect or the no-code builder to create or adjust the task.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the output fields">
    Keep the initial field set focused: product name, product URL, price, stock or availability, and any seller or promotion field needed for the decision. Run a small sample and check the output against the source pages.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test before scheduling">
    Confirm that pagination, detail-page fields, variants, and any required login or interaction work as expected. Test the task manually before enabling unattended runs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a recurring schedule">
    Configure a [schedule](/docs/en/platform/schedules) only after the task is stable. Start with the lowest frequency that supports the business decision, then monitor the first runs for errors or overlapping jobs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sync the output to Google Sheets">
    Connect a destination sheet and configure [Google Sheets data sync](/docs/en/platform/integration-google-sheets-sync). Keep the Octoparse-controlled raw output separate from tabs used for formulas, charts, or change review.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and maintain the workflow">
    Check run history, logs, row counts, duplicates, and missing values. Update the task when a target page changes or when the output no longer supports the decision.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Follow the detailed tutorial

<Card title="How to track or monitor price with Octoparse" href="https://helpcenter.octoparse.com/en/articles/6853138-how-to-track-monitor-price-with-octoparse">
  Follow the Help Center tutorial for the click-by-click setup of a pricing task, scheduled runs, and automatic data export.
</Card>

## Suggested sheet layout

Use one tab for synchronized output and a separate analysis tab. This reduces the risk that manual edits interfere with later exports.

| Raw output tab                                                        | Analysis tab                                               |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Product URL, product name, price, availability, seller, source fields | Comparison logic, exception list, charts, and review notes |

<Tip>
  Start with a small, representative set of products. Confirm the first few scheduled runs before expanding the product list or increasing the run frequency.
</Tip>

## When this workflow needs adjustment

Use a different or customized task when:

* The required field is not present in the template output.
* The site uses dynamic rendering, login, or a page flow that the template does not cover.
* Product variants, shipping, coupons, or seller changes require additional logic.
* The website changes its layout and the output is no longer reliable.

<Warning>
  Do not treat a successful first run as proof that a recurring workflow will remain stable. Review early scheduled runs and use [logs](/docs/en/platform/logs-and-events) to investigate failures or missing data.
</Warning>

## Related Octoparse guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Templates" href="/docs/en/platform/templates">
    Start with a prebuilt workflow for a supported website or data type.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Schedules" href="/docs/en/platform/schedules">
    Run a stable task automatically at a defined time or interval.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Google Sheets data sync" href="/docs/en/platform/integration-google-sheets-sync">
    Keep a shared sheet updated with recurring extraction output.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Price monitoring with web scraping" href="/docs/en/academy/price-monitoring">
    Learn the data design and business context behind price monitoring.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>