Where are good places to start doing market research?

Many of the sites I use are listed on this article that came out yesterday
http://netprofitstoday.com/blog/10-hot-niche-market-research-sites/

Answered 10 months ago by Robert James Braathe MBA

I know that my peers use a service from LexisNexis called Corporate Affiliations to gain business intelligence. This company directory is a huge searchable database that allows them to cumulate the data needed for their research based on target criteria. Corporate Affiliations is often found as a prominent business resource in libraries.
http://www.corporateaffiliations.com/

Answered 10 months ago by Cynthia Impechi

University Library Databases

Answered 10 months ago by Madusha Cooray

In with the statistical research mix, be sure to also include some direct, person-to-person research...

Talk to, or have a third party talk to, a sampling of actual customers. Ask them who they buy from and specifically why. Find out what their actual hot buttons and needs are, what their frustrations are with certain vendors, etc., etc. I guarantee you, you will gain some surprising and very valuable insights.

Al Shultz
http://www.alshultz.com/

Answered 10 months ago by Al Shultz

www.FiveMountainPress.com/books.html
The above web site has a book called "Research any Market for under $100." I think it can be helpful

Answered 10 months ago by Jeff Levy

Hi Rob
The answer depends on the market you are researching. In some cases, particularly well defined more mature markets you might be able to search google and find some syndicated research or market size numbers. If you are looking at something that is nascant or more nebulous you might need to do some primary researching on your own or utilize the services of others who can look at primary and secondary research in the markets you are targeting, synthesize this information and estimate a market size.

Answered 10 months ago by Marianne Stamegna

You can contact a company, who sells a related but not competing product/service to yours. Ask them if you can visit them and get a tour of their company. The conversation will be enlightening.

Answered 10 months ago by Leo von Wendorff

Hi Rob, your local business library has access to thousands of databases that you would have to pay a lot of money to access. Hoovers, a division of DnB is another great place to get industry data. It will cost you to access through a subscription.

Answered 10 months ago by Freda Thomas MBA

Rob, What are you trying to research?

Answered 10 months ago by Jon Gruett

There are a number of online market survey which "one can do it yourself" and here is a link http://aytm.com/ (ask your target market) and another way is getting a marketing firm to do the research for data.

Answered 8 months ago by Simon Sundaraj-Keun

Hi Rob, I would recommend that you use multiple methodologies for your research: a short open ended questionnaire over the phone (not exceeding 2 min), same questionnaire face to face and by email. Based on the feedback received, you will have at least some clarity on what direction you should be heading. Do it again choosing a different market. If you have the time and budget, go for a focus group session. Ask business professional, contacts and random people you will stop at the mall. Avoid asking close friends as they might fear hurting your feelings and end up telling you what you want to hear :) Happened to me and I learned! Best of luck!

Answered 9 months ago, Edited 9 months ago by Magie Girgis