404: Not Found{"id":6655,"date":"2023-08-02T20:02:07","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T20:02:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigora.com\/types-of-market-research-for-your-smb\/"},"modified":"2023-08-02T20:02:07","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T20:02:07","slug":"types-of-market-research-for-your-smb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gigora.com\/types-of-market-research-for-your-smb\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of Market Research for Your SMB"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Now that you understand the benefits of conducting market research for SMBs, let\u2019s discuss the different types of market research.<\/p>\n

You may have only heard of primary and secondary research, but several different types exist.<\/p>\n

There are 13 different market research methods that we are going to review, but bear in mind that you don\u2019t need to \u2013 and cannot \u2013 use them all.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some people hire a market research firm to help with the process, but I\u2019m here to tell you that you can do your own market research.<\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s review each of them.<\/p>\n

1. Primary Market Research<\/h3>\n

Primary market research is the most commonly used type of market research, and typically primary research provides you with the best data (straight from your customers).\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is Primary Research?<\/h4>\n

Primary research is data obtained firsthand. AKA, you collect the data yourself OR commission your team to collect the data.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You own and control the data you get from this research because you gathered it yourself.<\/p>\n

How to Do Primary Research<\/h4>\n

To conduct primary research, you must know your target customers and the information you want to gather.<\/p>\n

Usually, this includes demographics such as age, location, gender, and income level.<\/p>\n

The most common methods for gathering data are surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Step 1: Find a pocket where your target audience is (Reditt, Dog Parks, Target)<\/li>\n
  • Step 2: Create research objectives\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n
  • Step 3: Choose research questions\u00a0<\/li>\n
  • Step 4: Choose a research method, and go collect the data!\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Primary Research Examples<\/h4>\n

    Some examples of primary research include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Surveys:\u00a0<\/strong>gathering feedback from your customers about their experiences with your products and services<\/li>\n
    • Interviews:<\/strong>\u00a0talking one-on-one with customers to better understand their needs<\/li>\n
    • Focus Groups:<\/strong>\u00a0gathering a group of customers together to discuss their experiences and opinions about your products and services<\/li>\n
    • Observational Research:<\/strong>\u00a0observing your customers in their natural environment to better understand how they interact with your products and services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      You might use one type of primary research or a combination, depending on your goals.<\/p>\n

      2. Secondary Market Research<\/h3>\n

      Secondary market research can be a great way to get an overview of the market without taking the time to conduct your own research.<\/p>\n

      What is Secondary Research?<\/h4>\n

      Secondary research gathers data from existing sources, such as public records, reports, and surveys.<\/p>\n

      Someone else has already gathered this data<\/strong>, so you don\u2019t need to pay for it or do the work yourself.<\/p>\n

      How to Do Secondary Research<\/h4>\n

      To be able to use secondary market research, you first need to identify the available data sources.<\/p>\n

      For example, public records, industry reports, surveys, and news articles are great secondary data sources, and of course, the easiest one is Google.<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Step 1: Determine the research topic and define it<\/li>\n
      • Step 2: Look for existing data sources and research<\/li>\n
      • Step 3: Start the process of searching and gathering the data that already exists.<\/li>\n
      • Step 4: Compare the collected data and results<\/li>\n
      • Step 5: Analyze the data and explore further<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Secondary Research Examples<\/h4>\n

        Some examples of secondary research include:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Industry Reports:<\/strong>\u00a0gathering data from reports published by industry organizations and third-party sources<\/li>\n
        • Government Data:<\/strong>\u00a0collecting demographic data from government sources<\/li>\n
        • Social Media Analysis:<\/strong>\u00a0analyzing customer conversations on social media to better understand sentiment about products and services<\/li>\n
        • Competitor Analysis:<\/strong>\u00a0researching your competitors\u2019 products, pricing, and marketing strategies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          You can gather the necessary information once you have identified the data sources.<\/p>\n

          It\u2019s important to remember that while secondary research is a great way to get an overview of the market, it doesn\u2019t always provide the same level of detail as primary research.<\/p>\n

          3. Qualitative Research<\/h3>\n

          Qualitative market research focuses on understanding the why <\/em>behind consumer behavior.<\/strong><\/p>\n

          It can provide invaluable insights into how your customers think and feel about your products or services.<\/p>\n

          What is Qualitative Research?<\/h4>\n

          Qualitative research is a type of market research that focuses on gathering subjective information (meaning it cannot be measured) from customers.<\/p>\n

          It involves techniques such as one-on-one interviews, a focus group, and observation to gain insights into customer behavior.<\/p>\n

          How to Do Qualitative Research<\/h4>\n

          To conduct qualitative market research, you need to identify the questions you want to answer and select a method to gather the data.<\/p>\n

          For example, an in-depth interview would be more appropriate than a survey if you want to know why customers choose your competitor\u2019s products over yours.<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Step 1: Determine the research topic and define it<\/li>\n
          • Step 2: Select the appropriate qualitative method to conduct your research<\/li>\n
          • Step 3: Collect data<\/li>\n
          • Step 4: Analyze and interpret the data<\/li>\n
          • Step 5: Make meaningful conclusions from your research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Qualitative Research Examples<\/h4>\n

            Some examples of qualitative market research include:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Interviews<\/li>\n
            • Focus Groups<\/li>\n
            • Observational Research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              While quantitative research can provide you with hard data, qualitative research gives you insights into why customers behave the way they do, let\u2019s take a look at that next.<\/p>\n

              4. Quantitative Research<\/h3>\n

              Quantitative market research focuses on gathering information that can be measured.<\/strong><\/p>\n

              What is Quantitative Research?<\/h4>\n

              Quantitative research is a type of market research that focuses on gathering objective data (data that can be quantified or measured) from customers.<\/p>\n

              This data can then be used to answer questions about customer behaviors and preferences.<\/p>\n

              How to Do Quantitative Research<\/h4>\n

              There are several ways to conduct quantitative market research. To get started, you need to determine the data you need and then select a method.<\/p>\n

              For example, if you want to understand customer preferences for color options on a product, you might use an online survey.<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Step 1: Define your research topic<\/li>\n
              • Step 2: Choose the appropriate quantitative method<\/li>\n
              • Step 3: Collect data<\/li>\n
              • Step 4: Analyze and interpret the data<\/li>\n
              • Step 5: Draw meaningful conclusions from your research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Quantitative Research Examples<\/h4>\n

                Some examples of quantitative market research include:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Surveys:<\/strong>\u00a0gathering feedback from customers about their experiences with your products and services<\/li>\n
                • Polls:<\/strong>\u00a0collecting quick data from customers to gain insights into customer behavior<\/li>\n
                • A\/B Testing:<\/strong>\u00a0testing different versions of your product or website to see which one performs better.<\/li>\n
                • Experiments:<\/strong>\u00a0running experiments to test hypotheses and gain insight into customer behavior<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Quantitative research is a great way to get an objective view of your customers and understand how they interact with your products and services.<\/p>\n

                  5. Brand Research<\/h3>\n

                  Have you ever felt yourself wondering what people think of your brand? Well, brand research is the way to get the answer.<\/p>\n

                  What is Brand Research?<\/h4>\n

                  Brand research is gathering customer data to understand how they perceive your company\u2019s brand<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                  This data can provide you with the following:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Understanding your customer\u2019s perception of your brand and how it compares to your competitors.<\/li>\n
                  • Identify opportunities for improvement<\/li>\n
                  • Help you measure success over time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    It is essential to ensure that your products and services meet your target market needs.<\/p>\n

                    How to Do Brand Research<\/h4>\n

                    To conduct this type of market research, you need to first identify the questions you want to answer.<\/p>\n

                    Once you have identified the questions, you need to decide on the type of research (qualitative or quantitative) that can best answer those questions.<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Step 1: Define your brand research goals<\/li>\n
                    • Step 2: Develop your brand research plan & questions<\/li>\n
                    • Step 3: Find your target audience (where are they)<\/li>\n
                    • Step 4: Collect relevant data through surveys, questionnaires, etc.<\/li>\n
                    • Step 5: Analyze the data and (potentially) pivot your brand<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Brand Research Examples<\/h4>\n

                      Some examples of brand research include similar examples to primary research, such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, and observational research.<\/p>\n

                      Others include the following:<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • Brand tracking surveys:<\/strong>\u00a0asking customers the same questions over time to measure success<\/li>\n
                      • Social media analysis:<\/strong>\u00a0analyzing customer conversations on social media to get an understanding of their feelings toward your brand<\/li>\n
                      • Sentiment analysis:<\/strong>\u00a0using automated tools to measure customer sentiment about your brand.<\/li>\n
                      • Customer panels:<\/strong>\u00a0recruiting a panel of customers to provide ongoing feedback on new products or services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        6. Customer Research<\/h3>\n

                        Customer research is an essential part of any company\u2019s marketing mix. It can provide valuable insights into who your customers are and what they need.<\/p>\n

                        What is Customer Research?<\/h4>\n

                        Customer research is gathering customer data to gain insights into their behaviors, needs, and preferences.<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        This type of market research can help you better understand your target audience and develop products or services that meet their needs.<\/p>\n

                        How to Do Customer Research<\/h4>\n

                        To conduct customer research, you need to first identify the questions you want to answer.<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Step 1: Clearly define the topic and goals of your research<\/li>\n
                        • Step 2: Develop a plan and determine whether you will use qualitative or quantitative research methods<\/li>\n
                        • Step 3: Identify your target audience<\/li>\n
                        • Step 4: Collect data through methods such as surveys or interviews<\/li>\n
                        • Step 5: Analyze the gathered data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Quantitative Research Examples<\/h4>\n

                          If you want to gain an understanding of customer behaviors<\/strong>, use the following:<\/p>\n

                          If you want to understand customer preferences<\/strong>, use the following<\/p>\n

                          If you want to understand customer opinions<\/strong>, use the following:<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • Sentiment Analysis<\/li>\n
                          • Social Media Analysis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            7. Product Research & Testing<\/h3>\n

                            Product research and testing is a great way to ensure your products meet customer needs.<\/p>\n

                            What is Product Research?<\/h4>\n

                            Product research is gathering customer data to gain insights into their behaviors, needs, and preferences when it comes to a product.<\/strong><\/p>\n

                            This data can then be used to develop or enhance products that meet customer needs.<\/p>\n

                            How to Do Product Research<\/h4>\n

                            To conduct product research, you need to first identify the questions you want to answer about your product.<\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • Step 1: Clearly define your research goals<\/li>\n
                            • Step 2: Determine the wants and needs of your customers<\/li>\n
                            • Step 3: Analyze your competitors and comparable products<\/li>\n
                            • Step 4: Study the market to identify opportunities and trends<\/li>\n
                            • Step 5: Conduct your research<\/li>\n
                            • Step 6: See feedback from potential customers<\/li>\n
                            • Step 7: Develop and test your minimum viable product (MVP)<\/li>\n
                            • Step 8: Analyze the data<\/li>\n
                            • Step 9: Use your findings to guide your product strategy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              Product Research Examples<\/h4>\n

                              The most common methods for product research are interviews, surveys, focus groups, and A\/B testing.<\/p>\n

                              Other examples include:<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • Usability Testing:<\/strong>\u00a0testing your product with customers to see how easy it is to use (we\u2019ll talk more about this later)<\/li>\n
                              • Beta Testing:<\/strong>\u00a0testing the functionality of a product before it is released<\/li>\n
                              • Analytics:<\/strong>\u00a0analyzing the usage of a product to understand how customers are using it and uncover any potential issues<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                8. Competitor Research<\/h3>\n

                                Understanding your competition is an essential part of any company\u2019s marketing strategy.<\/p>\n

                                Competitor research can provide valuable insights into what your competitors are doing and how you can differentiate your products or services.<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                What is Competitor Research?<\/h4>\n

                                Competitor research is gathering data about competing companies to gain insights into their strategies.<\/p>\n

                                This data can provide you with the following:<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • Understanding your competitor\u2019s products or services<\/li>\n
                                • Gaining insight into customer preferences and behaviors<\/li>\n
                                • Identifying potential opportunities for differentiation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Competitive analysis can help you develop products or services that meet customer needs while staying ahead of the competition.<\/p>\n

                                  How to Do Competitor Research<\/h4>\n

                                  To conduct a competitive analysis, you must first identify your competitors and then analyze their strategies.<\/p>\n

                                  You can research their websites, read press releases, or attend industry events. You can also use tools such as Google Trends to see their performance relative to you.<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  • Step 1: Identify your main competitors<\/li>\n
                                  • Step 2: Analyze your competitors\u2019 online presence<\/li>\n
                                  • Step 3: Gather information on your competitors<\/li>\n
                                  • Step 4: Keep track of your findings<\/li>\n
                                  • Step 5: Check online reviews of your competitors<\/li>\n
                                  • Step 6: Identify areas where you can improve based on what you have learned<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    Competitor Research Examples<\/h4>\n

                                    Examples of competitor research include:<\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    • Comparison Shopping:<\/strong>\u00a0comparing your prices and services to those of your competitors<\/li>\n
                                    • Competitor Profiling:<\/strong>\u00a0gathering data on your competitors and understanding their strategies<\/li>\n
                                    • Competitor Intelligence:<\/strong>\u00a0using automated tools to monitor competitor activities<\/li>\n
                                    • Market Analysis:\u00a0<\/strong>analyzing the current market to understand customer needs and preferences.<\/li>\n
                                    • Online Reviews:<\/strong>\u00a0researching customer reviews of competing products<\/li>\n
                                    • Market Share Analysis:<\/strong>\u00a0analyzing the market share of competing companies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                      9. Market Segmentation Research<\/h3>\n

                                      Market segmentation research is a great way to identify demographic, psychographic, and geographic differences among your target market.<\/p>\n

                                      What is Market Segmentation Research?<\/h4>\n

                                      Market segmentation research is the process of dividing a target market into distinct groups based on shared characteristics.<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                      The purpose of this type of market research is to gain a better understanding of customer needs and preferences to develop more targeted products or services.<\/p>\n

                                      How to Do Market Segmentation Research<\/h4>\n

                                      The first step in market segmentation research is to identify potential segments.<\/p>\n

                                      Once you have identified potential segments, the next step is to research to understand customer needs and preferences.<\/p>\n

                                      This can be done by conducting surveys, interviews, focus groups, or other types of market research.<\/p>\n

                                      This data can then be analyzed to determine which segments are the most profitable and worth targeting.<\/p>\n