Free PESTLE Analysis Template

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About PESTLE Analysis in Marketing

PESTLE analysis is designed to summarize the situational analysis of the macro-environment scan. Clear understanding of the overall environment is necessary to ensure the construction of a suitable and effective marketing strategy.

PESTLE helps you identify where the marketplace is heading, so that you can develop a strategy based upon the emerging (not the current) market conditions. This approach will give your business a competitive advantage in the market.

No doubt you have been required to produce a PESTLE (or similar) analysis for your workplace or for your assignment tasks. And you know that this is a timely exercise.

So, in order to speed up the PESTLE analysis process, I have developed this handy tool.

Download the Free PESTLE Analysis Excel Tool

Download the Pestle Analysis template here… free-PESTLE-maker-Excel-template

About the PESTLE Maker Tool

As you will see, you simply pick and choose from a of 400 potential factors, as follows:

  • Political factors = choice of 60 factors
  • Economic factors = choice of 60 factors
  • Social factors = choice of 90 factors
  • Technology factors = choice of 70 factors
  • Legal factors = choice of 70 factors
  • Environment factors = choice of 50 factors
  • Plus you can reword the pre-set factors or add your own

Video on How to Use the Pestle Analysis Template

Understanding PESTLE Analysis in Marketing

PESTLE analysis is a common inclusion in many marketing plans, and usually works in conjunction with the SWOT analysis.

PESTLE analysis summarizes and the key EXTERNAL issues facing the brand (or the organization). The key elements from the PESTLE analysis then feed into the Opportunities and Threats section of the SWOT analysis.

Therefore, a broad and considered assessment of external marketing environmental factors is necessary to help frame the SWOT analysis, which in turn guides the development of marketing strategy.

This means that PESTLE analysis is a necessary tool that will marketers need to be comfortable in using. Let’s quickly work through the various dimensions of the PESTLE analysis.

Political Factors

The political climate of a country can directly influence marketing decisions. Changes in government policies, political stability, trade regulations, and taxation can all have significant impacts on marketing strategies.

Some example political factors include:

  • Unstable/stable government
  • Political unrest
  • Upcoming election
  • Recent/upcoming change of government
  • Political corruption
  • Increase/decrease in government taxation

For more political environment factors, please see: List of Political Factors for PESTLE

Economic Factors

Economic indicators like inflation rates, unemployment levels, income distribution, and exchange rates can influence consumer spending habits, which in turn affect the demand for products and services.

Marketers need to account for these factors when planning their campaigns.  Therefore, marketers should adjust their targeting, pricing, and promotional strategies to align with the prevailing economic conditions.

Some example economic factors include:

  • Economy is in recession, or a recession is likely
  • High or low purchasing power parity
  • Inequitable or inequitable GDP per capita
  • Stable or rising input costs to business

For more economic environment factors, please see: List of Economic Factors for PESTLE

Social Factors

Understanding cultural nuances and societal trends is key to creating relevant and relatable marketing campaigns. Factors such as demographics, lifestyle trends, and social values play a significant role in determining consumer preferences. Marketers should closely monitor these social changes to tailor their marketing messages and target their audience effectively. For example, the increasing emphasis on health and wellness in recent years has led to a surge in demand for organic products, a trend that marketers can capitalize on.

Some example social factors include:

  • Society has a live for today outlook
  • High or low levels of religious engagement
  • A multi or mono cultural society
  • A bi/multi lingual population
  • Positive attitudes to health and diet
  • Consumers being generally open to new experiences

For more social environment factors, please see: List of Social Factors for PESTLE

Technological Factors

Rapid advancements in technology have significantly impacted marketing practices. New channels of communication, automation tools, and data analytics have transformed the way marketers reach and engage with their audiences. It’s crucial for marketers to keep up with technological advancements and incorporate them into their strategies. For instance, with the rise of social media and mobile marketing, marketers must optimize their content and targeting for these platforms to stay relevant.

Some example technology factors include:

  • Rapid technology change
  • Shortening technology lifetime
  • Escalating technology costs
  • Broadening social media platform options
  • Data security concerns
  • Greater access to big data
  • Access to analytical tools

For more technology environment factors, please see: List of Technology Factors for PESTLE

Legal Factors

Navigating the complex web of laws and regulations is crucial for the success of any marketing campaign. Marketers need to be aware of legal considerations like consumer rights, data protection, and intellectual property. Non-compliance can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and even legal action. For example, with the introduction of the GDPR in the European Union, marketers had to adjust their data collection and processing practices to ensure compliance.

Some example legal factors include:

  • Complex laws and requirements
  • Costly compliance
  • Direct government regulation
  • Industry-based regulation
  • Strict or limited regulation
  • Degree of government control/access in business
  • Strong or weak  copyright and patent laws

For more legal environment factors, please see: List of Legal Factors for PESTLE

Environmental Factors

The increasing awareness about environmental sustainability has made it essential for marketers to consider their campaigns’ ecological impact. Consumers are increasingly gravitating towards eco-friendly products and brands that are committed to reducing their environmental footprint. Marketers should adopt sustainable practices, such as using recyclable materials for packaging or incorporating environmental messaging into their campaigns, to resonate with environmentally conscious consumers.

Some example environmental factors include:

  • Change in eco-environments
  • Reduced efficiency of farmland
  • Pressure to shift to renewable energy sources
  • Unreliable energy supplies
  • Increased cost of energy supplies
  • Potential liability for environmental damage
  • Higher standards for recycling
  • Pressure to be seen as an ethical company
  • Importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion

For more environmental factors, please see: List of Environmental Factors for PESTLE

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About The Author

Geoff is a highly experienced marketing lecturer, a published textbook author, and has had an extensive corporate career in marketing. He has taught marketing at all levels for more than 20 years across ten different Australian universities, and has held senior marketing roles at six firms, primarily in the financial services sector.
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