Market research is—or 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, your market research in Washington can itself 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, Washington-based companies can help you better understand your local market. You'll find any number of market research firms in WA, 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. Market research firms in Washington state can help you determine your company's potential share of the action, in that state 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 market research firms in WA 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 Washington.

I recommend: Individual market research firms in Washington State include Cascade Strategies Incorporated, DatStat, Inc., Deliberate Company, Inc., Tinderbox (a division of The Hartman Group, Inc.) and ISG (Information Solutions Group). Each of these firms provides various strategies for addressing your market research Washington-based needs.

Browse websites that do your homework for you, posting info for various research firms in Washington

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 your marketing research Washington-based comparison shopping a breeze, providing information on numerous marketing firms in Washington State.

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

Some websites provide info on numerous market research firms that offer online research services, while others only advertise their own 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: Providers of online surveys and data collection, assembled in one convenient location by GreenBook, make your search for web-based market research services a snap. If desired, you may limit these groupings to marketing firms in Washington state. Two specific firms in Washington that help make your market research easier are Champion Assistants, a firm whose services include virtual market research, and HR (Hebert Research), a company which offers web-based questionnaires.

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, Washington State locations won't be a limiting factor. You'll be free to choose a 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 Washington market research firm that also provides web-based research.