Research

Research

To stay ahead of competitors, you need to be prepared for future
opportunities and setbacks. However, being able to accurately predict
future market trends is not a simple task, as the process requires a
vast amount of time and resources. Fortunately, there are numerous
research companies providing data on the digital industry, on both a
macro and micro level. Research companies produce sector reports for
you to buy, or you can opt to commission an independent research firm
to provide specific data for you. As exit polls of elections often
show, research is rarely 100% accurate, so it is worth checking what
types of methodology each firm uses and assumptions they make before
choosing the most suitable one for your project. Research companies
can collect data in a variety of ways, such as qualitative data from a
panel group of interviewees, or quantitative data based on Web users
IPaddresses or anonymous user data from ISPs or panels. Research
subjects can include market share analysis, consumer behaviour or
extrapolating future market trends as well as more specific topics to
your own needs. Being able to benchmark your performance against
competitors is an invaluable tool, and there are numerous companies
that can provide you with an overview of a sector to put your company
into context with the rest of the market. This type of research can
also help identify the best partners for marketing campaigns and
sponsorships. Other research firms specialise in monitoring customer
behaviour, using both empirical and qualitative methods, which can
help you know your audience better, as well as identify untapped
markets. There are a variety of firms listed here that specialise in a
number of different areas and research methods, to cater for a variety
of data gathering projects.