Market research is important to every company's business strategy. That's why, before moving forward with the manufacture or sale of a new product or offering a new service in the public marketplace, you should always carry out either general or region-specific research based on the size and scope of your intended market. In fact, your England market research itself can actually guide you in determining the size and scope of the market you can realistically expect for your product or service—a factor that's critical to the development of any new or ongoing business plan.

In the area of market research firms, UK-based companies can help you better understand your local market. You'll find a number of market research firms in the United Kingdom, which can help your local business quickly and easily find the crucial data you need to effectively market whatever your company is selling. UK market research firms can help you determine your company's potential share of the action, in the UK or elsewhere, through your choice of either online or in-person versions of the following vehicles:

1. Focus Groups;

2. Surveys;

3. Panels;

4. Studies;

5. Interviews; and

6. Data Collection.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out a few individual UK market research firms to get an idea of what they have to offer

By investigating several market research firms in the United Kingdom, you'll get a better idea of not only the services that market research companies in general provide, but also the specific focus of each of the local companies you'd likely deal with. Each of these firms has valuable experience with market research in your area.

I recommend: Individual market research UK-based firms include Key Note, Ipsos MORI, Mintel and SMi Group. These firms offer a number of different strategies for addressing your company's particular market research needs.

Browse websites that do your homework for you, providing info on various market research UK firms

Certain websites provide a valuable service to those seeking market research firms. By presenting often-lengthy groupings of companies located in various areas, they make your job of tracking down the right local firm that much easier.

I recommend: RBA and Market Research Portal make your UK marketing research comparison shopping a breeze, providing information on numerous UK market research companies, along with other valuable research-related resources.

Look for market research providers that do your research online for greater speed and convenience

Web-based services can prove a convenient alternative to in-person research methods, which are more time-consuming and often more costly. Many local firms provide online options along with their face-to-face services.

I recommend: Clayton Reed Associates offers web-based questionnaires, as well as other market research services. Pye Tait features Internet surveys and other research methods. Taylor Nelson Sofres provides online market research and related solutions. Evalueserve offers web surveys and other custom research services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you don't require face-to-face research methods for your market research, UK locations won't be a limiting factor. You'll be free to choose any company from any location to provide your online market research services. However, if it's important to you to be near the firm with which you work so you'll be able to drop in when you have a problem or question, you might want to look for a marketing research firm in the United Kingdom that also provides web-based research.