Market research is gathering of information regarding the needs and wants of customers and putting it together for better understanding of the business. Conducting Market research is necessary to all business organisations. It helps with providing valuable information for identifying and analysing probable pitfalls and market opportunities for your business, competitors analysis, better marketing strategies to put mileage on to your business.
Market research is conducted by both prospective entrepreneurs and established businesses. A typical market research process includes:
There are two types of market research – Primary research and secondary research.
Primary Research: In this research, new data is gathered directly by the company or their researchers using different techniques such as:
Secondary Research:
In this type of research, you collect and analyse secondary data that has already been published (books, statistical reports, top market research magazines, etc.). There are two methods for collecting this data. They are:
Participant observation: In this, a researcher acts as a customer and collects the data.
Direct observation: In this, a researcher collects the data by just watching rather than taking part. For example, videotapes can be used for this purpose.
Unstructured Interviews: In this, direct interaction takes place between the researcher and respondent or group of respondents. Unstructured interview indicates that no particular questions are framed to ask the respondents. It is rather difficult to analyse the data from unstructured interviews as each interaction with respondents is different.
Case studies: Here you study specific individuals or a specific context. There is no single way to conduct a case study, so a combination of methods ( unstructured interviews, direct observation, etc.) can be used.
For secondary research, data can be collected from sources like
If you are running short of time and resources to do this exercise, you can think of outsourcing the process to agencies like channelplay, lumiere solutions, crosstab, intageindia, etc.
Analyze Results:
Results of the market research process are analysed by comparing the data you have collected to the goals you set originally while planning your market research and performing SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Thread, Opportunities) Analysis. The findings of this research, coupled with the strategies from the SWOT analysis, will aid you in deciding further course of action.
Market research should be done in a regular basis for better understanding of different market opportunities, change in customer preferences and update according to the customer demands. Here are the points that explains the need and importance of market research to a company to sustain and grow in the market.