Market research should be an important part of every company's business strategy. That's why, before moving forward with the manufacture or sale of a new product or service, it's best to consistently carry out either general or area-specific research based on the size and scope of your intended market. In fact, the market research itself can guide you in determining the size and scope of the market you can realistically expect for your product or service—a factor critical to the development of any new or ongoing business plan.

In the area of market research, Ohio is a state which enjoys its fair share of firms. You'll find any number of market research firms in Ohio, spread throughout the state, which can help your local business quickly and easily find the crucial data you need to effectively market whatever your company is selling. Marketing research firms in Ohio can help you determine your company's potential share of the action, in that state or elsewhere, enabling you to avoid the following potential problems:

1. Saturated markets;

2. Unpopular products;

3. Unneeded services;

4. Unseen opportunities;

5. Unrecognized needs; and

6. Untapped markets.

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

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

By investigating several market research firms in your own region, 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 Ohio.

I recommend: Individual market research facilities in Ohio include Ad-ology, AZG Research, Katz Marketing Solutions, Lextant and Strategy Analytics. These Ohio market research firms offer a number of different strategies for addressing your company's market research needs.

Find sites that provide info for numerous market research firms in Ohio

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

I recommend: GreenBook, SalesVantage.com, Inc., MarketsDirectory.com and Respond all make Ohio marketing research comparison shopping a breeze, providing information on numerous OH market research firm offerings.

Look for market research firms in Ohio that do your research online for greater speed

Some websites provide info on numerous market research firms that offer online research services. Such web-based services can prove a convenient alternative to in-person research methods, which are more time-consuming and often more costly. Some local and remote firms also provide online options along with their face-to-face services.

I recommend: The GreenBook website provides info on numerous marketing firms in OH and elsewhere in the U.S. These firms offer online focus groups, research panels, surveys and other services. In addition, Triad Research Group, Cooper Research, The Strategy Team, Ltd. and C&C Market Research are Ohio market research firms that offer various online market 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 marketing research, Ohio 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 at OH firms that also provide web-based research.