If you doubt the importance of marketing research firms in the US, take a clue from the American Marketing Association, which adopted a new definition in 2008 to recognize marketing as a process that affects society.
Closer to home, marketing research firms can provide information that helps you guide your business from sinking to success. You have many choices on how to get this information, from asking customers to what they think to poring over stacks of reports. Another option is hiring consumer research firms to gather and deliver accurate information for you.
When you hire the best market research firms in the US, you can expect to:
1. Collect demographic information about customers
2. Learn more about competitors through marketing research firms in the US
3. Get ideas on how to effectively market your product or service
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Form objectives or goals for market research
Ask yourself what information you need and why you need it. US market research firms will research a new product differently than a company expansion. Be clear about your expectations in order to communicate that information to a market researcher.
I recommend: Get an overview of how marketing research works from the
Small Business Administration. Determine the purpose of market research for your business by clarifying
research needs and objectives.
Hire a marketing research firm
If you belong to a trade association, ask others for recommendations to find a firm to hire. Look for research experience and expertise providing market research in your particular industry.
I recommend: If you need a New York-based marketing research firm, look no further than the
Green Book, where you can search by name, location or marketing research services. Check on leading marketing research firms through the American Marketing Association's Marketing Services Directory, called the
M Guide.
Familiarize yourself with different research methods
Understand how qualitative research based on subjective information differs from demographic information found in quantitative research. US marketing research firms must demonstrate sufficient controls for accuracy.
I recommend: Understand the methodology to comprehend the results. Learn more about the different types of research available from
Guideline.
KnowThis provides tutorials on market research design, methods and analysis.
Analyze the information
A good market research firm should analyze the information and help you to apply it to your business goals and needs. Look for a research report that explains the results using statistics. Ideally, you should see visual representations of data in graphs or tables.
I recommend: View the research reports at the
Center for Economic Studies as an example of how reports are organized.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Use consumer research firms on an ongoing basis. According to the American Marketing Association, you should budget .02% to 1% of gross annual sales for market research.
- If you're just starting out with limited funds, look for marketing research help from business students at nearby colleges or small business centers. The government has large amounts of research at its disposal.
The official source of Market Research Firms in the United States is
the Market Research Firms in the United States page at Business.com
Related Resources from Business.com
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