#primarydata

Around 82% of marketing research firms use secondary data for business and competitive intelligence, while secondary analysis can save nearly 40–60 % of the time compared to primary data collection processes.

Market Research is an organised way of gathering and analysing information needed for the business growth which includes a group of potential customers, people or businesses, who are willing and able to purchase your product. Research can help you discover the weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Information can also stimulate the imagination, suggest fresh strategies or help you recognise great business opportunities.

Market Research focus on three things:

Business Environment

Customers

Competitors

 Methods of Market Research

There are two methods of Market Research. They are:

1. Secondary Data Research

2. Primary Data Research

Secondary Data Research

Secondary data research is the data based on the existing information that was previously gathered. It is useful in doing general, exploratory/specific research to learn more about the area of interest. You can get secondary data in one of the following ways:

Getting information from the web

Hooking up with a librarian

Surfing into government resources

Getting media data.

 Primary Data Research

When the information is gathered directly from the source i.e. potential customers, then it is called Primary Market Research. Once you understand your target market, you can start gathering data straight away from the prospective group of customers. Some common ways to obtain such primary data are: 

Interviews/Surveys

Focus Groups

Observation

Entertaining customers to get their input

Networking

Research Agencies

 Networking plays an important role in the research. Not only for the potential customers but also for the potential business ideas. So always keep an ear open for interesting, surprising or inspiring facts. You don’t need to spend much money for this. You just need to meet more people, read free blogs on the Internet such as Trendwatching and meet & talk to the people from various backgrounds, to keep you in the flow of new ideas and facts.