Market research firms in New York have a large footprint in the consumer product industry. From the analysis gathered by New York market research firms ad campaigns are drawn, slogans are created and people are targeted as potential customers.

Take the time to learn about a few of the terms and strategies that New York market research firms employ so that you'll be up to speed on their lingo when you hire them for your business. Here are a few of those terms along with some resources to help get you started.

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

Opportunity analysis

Opportunity analysis is a tool used by New York market research firms that asks consumers questions in order to ascertain the consumers' feeling on the value, brand, assumptions and any potential barriers in relation to that product.

I recommend: Visit the website for Goodmind, a market research firm in New York, for a further discussion of opportunity analysis.

Communication research

Communication research, in terms of New York marketing research firms, relates to the aspect of studying the communication effort between the business in question and the consumer. This encompasses everything from seeing that an advertising campaign is working to keep tabs on a company's website development and execution.

I recommend: Visit the website for Brooks Rose Marketing Research for additional information on communication research.

Mystery shopper, mystery shopping

A mystery shopper is an employee of a market research firm who enters a store or business under the guise of being a normal customer. They interact with members of the business and then report their experience to the market research firm. Everything from the nature of the business employee, to knowledge about products, to ease of transactions are judged.

I recommend: Visit the website for Informa Research Services, another New York market research firm, for additional information on an example of a mystery shopping program.

Sales effectiveness

Sales effectiveness refers to the analysis of a company's sales figures and process by a market research firm. The market research firm will study everything from the cost of the product, marketing of the product, how the clients are served and if there are additional areas where sales or productivity can be increased.

I recommend: Visit the website for another New York market research firm named Guideline for additional information about "sales effectiveness."

Retail tracking

Retail tracking, in terms of New York market research firms, relates to the concept of tracking products from the warehouse through the point of sale. The point of sale has many avenues including retail stores, discount chains, catalogs and more. Learning where the consumer ultimately buys products will help a company tailor their operations to maximize sales.

I recommend: Visit the website for NPD Group. A market research firm with an international presence, they have a sizable office in New York City. Visit the website for additional information on retail tracking.

Pre-testing

Pre-testing refers to the process of evaluating a marketing campaign before it is launched widely. Many times market research firms will 'pre-test' ideas or concepts in relation to products in a smaller market or to a smaller audience to see if the concept is catching on with the general public or intended audience.

I recommend: Check out the website for Ipsos ASI, another New York based market research firm, for more information on how pre-testing can be incorporated to market research.

New York is one of the main hubs for marketing and market research, with many of the largest firms located in New York City. Furthermore, specific marketing areas, such as consumer surveys, mystery shoppers, focus groups and ad tracking, have become huge businesses in and of themselves. Some market research firms in New York specialize in a particular industry (motion pictures, for example) while others handle clients from all industries.

A marketing firm in New York has a distinct advantage over market research firms located in smaller cities. A firm's location in the Big Apple gives them proximity to the international community, financial institutions and corporate headquarters of many companies. With a wide local pool of talent to choose from, they offer the latest trends in research and the best minds in market research.

Before considering a market research firm in New York:

1. Use online and print directories to learn about NYC market research firms.
2. Check out different types of market research firms in New York.
3. Look at different research methods employed by New York marketing firms.

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

Compare the approach and services of various market research firms in New York

Before deciding on any of the market research firms in NYC, first draw up an outline of what you need to know. If you need feedback about a new product, contact a company that has a strong focus group or consumer survey department. Consider point-of-purchase research if you want feedback on consumer response to a product packaging, while segmentation studies assess the core group of customers for a particular product or service.When looking for market research New York, the choices can be confusing. Many of the firms offer the same type of services, and without doing your own market research, it can be difficult to tell at a glance which NY market research firm can do the best job for your company.

I recommend: Choose from a number of tools to help you decide which market research firms in New York to contact. Browse Greenbook.org and search for the market research firms in New York that focus on the services you need. The listings contain basic contact information and an overview of prominent New York marketing firms and their services. This can save you time going back and forth between the websites of various market research firms in New York. Check Bluebook.org for additional information about marketing research firms in NYC that conduct consumer opinion surveys and other services. Affiliated with the MRA (Marketing Research Association), Bluebook.org has both a print version and a searchable directory on its website.

Use basic market research firms in NYC for consumer feedback and opinion services

Before deciding on any of the market research firms in NYC, first draw up an outline of what you need to know. If you need feedback about a new product, contact a company that has a strong focus group or consumer survey department.

I recommend: Trust market research companies in New York such as Goodmind for brand strategy and fine-tuning of business approach or Brooks-Rose Marketing Research for many market research needs like focus groups and telephone and online surveys. Marketing firms in New York offer state of the art technology and follow through on all aspects of research.

Choose market research firms New York that focus on a particular industry

For companies with a narrow focus, such as retail stores looking for perspective on their set-up and customer service, or companies that want to attract more of a particular customer base, like Hispanic Americans or teenagers, consider the fact that market research firms in new York City offer plenty of tightly focused marketing options that cater to a segment of the population. Check out marketing firms in New York that cater to your company's niche.

I recommend: Locate NYC market research firms that can help you attract more Hispanic American customers by choosing a company like Utilis Research that employs Spanish speaking researchers and moderators. Check out market research New York firms like Informa Research or their expertise in the financial business and services like compliance and discrimination testing

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're on a budget, consider online surveys or ad tracking from a smaller market research firms in NYC.