WinWeb

Market Research For Your Small Business

December 4, 2009

Shell LiveWIRE, the UK’s biggest online community for young entrepreneurs, offer the following tips when launching a new product or service.

Whatever your business, it will only succeed if customers like your product or service and are prepared to give you money in exchange. That is why it is important to undertake thorough market research and to assess the results of that market research carefully. Do not get overly carried away with your enthusiasm – see things as they are, not as you would like to see them. Before launching a new product or service you need to be able to:

• define your position in the market place;
• define your product or service;
• identify your potential customers, their needs and expectations;
• determine the price your customers will be prepared to pay;
• identify the level of quality and service your customers require;
• describe your competitors, what they offer and their strengths and weaknesses;
• describe how best to communicate your message to your prospective customers;
• decide where your advertising campaign should be conducted;
• estimate your potential market share.

The more detailed your market research, the sounder more reliable the rest of your business planning will be. Market research identifies customer potential. Take time to do it properly and repeat it until you get results that are reliable. Remember, by finding out what customers want and then providing them with it at a profit, your chances of success are vastly increased.

Find more detailed help and advice @ Shell LiveWIRE