Side Hustle Nation

Online Focus Groups: 26 Paid Research Companies that Pay Up to $250 an Hour for Your Opinion

I recently participated in a paid focus group in San Francisco. You know, the kind with the one-way mirror on the wall.

We talked about travel habits and preferences for an hour and half, and I got paid $150 for my time and opinions. Not bad!

online focus groups

The whole thing was pretty quick and painless—and actually kind of interesting—which got me thinking that this could be a great side hustle . Especially if I could do it from home!

So down the rabbit hole I went, trying to find other companies that conduct paid research studies online .

And I should note before we get started that these aren’t the typical companies that pop up when you search for “online surveys.” Those companies, like Swagbucks and  InboxDollars , are legit, but pay relatively little .

The companies I was after here were the ones that pay bigger sums to make it more worth your time. I earned $100 an hour for my little focus group adventure, and you can too.

UserInterviews.com

Earn $50-150/hr, with thousands of new studies added each month.

Respondent

Earn an average of $75 per project, and get notified of upcoming studies you may qualify for.

Rare Patient Voice

Patients and caregivers can earn $120/hour while helping advance medical research.

1. User Interviews

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User Interviews facilitates in-person and online consumer conversations about products, websites, and services. The pay rates vary, but the average seems to be around $50-100 an hour.

user interviews

I’ve earned $105 through the site so far, in exchange for about an hour a half.

In one of my studies, I earned a $10 Amazon gift card for completing a short online survey for bald guys! It said it should take 15 minutes, but all the questions were straight yes/no, so it probably only took 5.

User Interviews is a legit facilitator of online (and in-person) consumer research studies. Participants can get paid (generally $50-150/hr) to share their opinion and shape future products and services. While this won’t replace your day job, it can be a nice supplemental income.

  • One of the best-paying survey companies I've found.
  • Easy to sign-up.
  • Lots of new studies added every week.
  • Can be difficult to get selected.

UserInterviews.com

Click here to join User Interviews .

Or check out our full User Interviews review .

Respondent is a cool service that facilitates consumer research studies online—and often pays $100+ an hour !

respondent paid research studies

Once you create your account, you’ll be able to browse all the open studies you might qualify for. The research brief shares the type of person the company is looking to connect with, the expected time commitment, and pay rate .

If it looks like a fit, answer the brief screener questionnaire to throw your hat in the ring. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get selected right away—I’ve been selected for 5 studies out of 50 screeners so far.

While there are some “general population” studies, the best-paying opportunities are for industry professionals— up to $750 an hour!

respondent hourly rates

The company takes a 5% processing fee, but the rest of the funds you earn will hit your PayPal account within 8-10 days of your study. (I’ve earned $395 through Respondent so far! )

Respondent

Click here to join Respondent .

Read our full Respondent.io review here .

YouTube video

(Since recording, I’ve done a couple more studies.)

A leading source for medical research, Rare Patient Voice pays patients and caregivers $120 an hour. You can browse a full list of available studies on their site—nearly all of which are phone or webcam interviews.

rare patient voice homepage

If you suffer from any sort of medical condition (even if it’s not super rare), this one is worth a look.

The site is open to residents of United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.

Rare Patient Voice

While most Survey Junkie earning opportunities don’t pay much, you’ll occasionally get emails for better-paying focus group and product testing studies.

These admittedly are pretty rare, but pay up to $75.

survey junkie

Still, power users of the regular Survey Junkie site/app report earning up to $40 a month. 

The site boasts more than 20 million members and pays out more than $1 million every month.

Click here to sign up for Survey Junkie .

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Another well-established market research company is Product Report Card . They offer paid surveys, product testing and review gigs, and online focus groups.

product report card paid research studies

The best-paying work is for in-home product tests and remote interviews and focus groups — often in the $75-$150/hour range.

Product Report Card will also give you a $5 welcome bonus for completing a short survey after you join. There’s a $25 minimum to cash-out.

Lightster is a unique money making app , where you get matched with brands and researchers based on your profile.

lightster

To get started, you’ll add some demographic information about yourself and answer some questions about your experience and interests.

After that, you may see some questions pop up in the app. Answer those to qualify for paid research conversations that pay $1 per minute.

I got invited to my first half hour session within a couple weeks of downloading the app, and got paid (via Amazon gift card) right away.

I was excited to discover PingPong as a newcomer to the online market research field. The service specializes in user experience testing for apps and websites, with pay rates ranging between €40 and €100 an hour. (Roughly $45-110.)

pingpong research

You might be curious—with the rates in euros—if this one is open to non-Europeans. PingPong let me join as an American and says they welcome testers from all over the world.

Since joining, I’ve received invites to several studies but haven’t been able to book one just yet.

Fieldwork was the company that hosted the San Francisco focus group I participated in. They have locations throughout the US:

  • Los Angeles (Orange County)
  • Minneapolis
  • San Francisco

Compensation starts at $75 for participating in focus groups, which usually last between 1-2 hours. The drawback was I got paid in Visa gift cards instead of cash, so I went to the grocery store and bought Amazon gift cards with them instead.

FocusGroup.com offers nationwide paid research opportunities. (The site is powered by Sago, a leading market research company.)

focus group

Be on the lookout for the “National” studies that pay between $75 and $200 . These are scheduled over the phone or webcam so you can take the calls from anywhere at times that are convenient to you.

It took a while, but I eventually earned $115 for an online study related to a well-known Seattle-area company.

The next one I did was an hour-long online focus group on credit cards that paid $100.

Other studies I saw were  related to cars, technology, and banking.

I receive a few email notifications every month with studies. Those range from around $2 for 20-minute surveys, up to $150 for 90-minute in-person or online focus groups.

Check out my full FocusGroup.com review to learn more.

Experience Dynamics specializes in user experience and user interface testing (UX and UI). Corporate clients pay Experience Dynamics to help “make their users smile,” and they turn around and pay people like you for honest feedback on website designs and software applications.

According to the site, they recruit testers worldwide with all levels of technology experience. Most studies pay between $50-$150 dollars.

Experience Dynamics also facilitates:

  • Field Studies, 1-2 hour interviews at your home or work.
  • Diary Studies, where you to record your thoughts over 1-2 weeks.
  • Phone Interviews
  • Online Focus Groups
  • Online Surveys

American Consumer Opinion is another market research company where you can qualify for several surveys a year.

Annoyingly, they insist on using their own “virtual currency” point system. Still, you can earn up to $50 worth of points for longer market research surveys.

american consumer opinion

There’s a $10 minimum to cash out and you can deposit your earnings directly into PayPal. To give you an incentive to complete the low-paying screener surveys, American Consumer Opinion will add your name to a monthly $50 drawing .

On L&E Opinions , I found nationwide studies paying $125-250.  The company has been in business over 30 years and pays out millions of dollars in research incentives every year.

market research groups online

FocusGroups.org is an aggregator service that lists focus groups and paid research opportunities around the country. When I registered, I saw online focus group options that paid anywhere from $75 to $625!

focusgroups-org

Topics included pets, hygiene, cooking, luxury cars, and lots more. There are some handy filters you can use to select only online or “National” studies.

Another site that pulls in lots of different paid studies, FindFocusGroups.com was a great find. 

At press time, they had the best-looking interface of most of these sites, but hadn’t been updated in several months.

When I checked, the compensation for these ranged from $50 to $200.

Through “compensated interviews” and focus groups, SIS helps brands figure out direction for their products. You can see a full list of available paid studies on this page .

I found rates from $25-200, depending on the time required and complexity of the topic. SIS recruits participants from all around the world, not just the US.

Similar to FindFocusGroups above, SurveyFeeds isn’t a market research company itself, but instead a promising “feed” of paid survey opportunities.

I found their Facebook page updated more frequently than their website, so it might be worthwhile to check there and see what you might qualify for.

The online studies I saw ranged from $75 to $300 .

Recruit and Field is one of the longest-running national market research companies. Since 1977, they’ve built up a participant database of over 300,000 consumers, business leaders, and medical professionals.

The company works with lots of name-brand clients and typically pays $100-275 for in-person and online surveys.

I recently earned $250 for a 1-hour call about business banking!

recruit and field payment

When I checked out Field Voices , I found a couple available studies to apply for. One was a neighborhood improvement interview that paid $150 for one hour, and the other was a group workshop on snacking habits that paid $300!

This firm works directly with companies as well, which means they’re not just pulling together lists of other research projects.

Consumers, medical professionals, and executives are in demand for Probe Market Research’s panels. Focus groups pay between $50 and $400, and you can often participate online or over the phone.

Major brands enlist Probe to conduct online surveys, mystery shopping gigs , mock juries, product trials, and more .

The popular and well-rated dscout app connects you with “engaging research missions.” Through those, you can get paid to share your feedback on a product or service.

dscout paid market research

Typical studies pay anywhere from $2 to $100 , paid out via PayPal. The biggest complaints from users are that the often in-depth screener surveys are unpaid.

Less of a market research firm and more of a consulting marketplace, GLG Insights aims to match you up with their clients looking for industry-specific expertise. Request to become a “Council Member” to get notified when relevant paid studies are available.

On GLG, you’ll be asked to connect your LinkedIn profile and upload a resume (or link to an online resume) to verify your career credentials. You can also name your own consulting rate — usually $100-150 and up .

After that, I answered a series of ethics questions based on GLG’s terms and conditions.

When academic and research institutions need opinions from the general population, they turn to Prolific . It’s easy to sign up and start completing online surveys.

prolific participant homepage

The pay on Prolific is a bit lower — often in the $8-15/hr range. But in my Prolific review , I found plenty of quick and easy surveys available, and you can cash out to PayPal.

WatchLab has an obnoxiously inadequate website, but they claim to facilitate all sorts of focus groups, usability tests, interviews, mock juries, and more.

The pay varies depending on the research, and may be in the form of gift cards or cash. I saw ranges from $100 to $175 for 1-2 hour focus groups. WatchLab has locations in San Francisco and Chicago, as well as online options.

For in-person focus groups, you get paid on the spot — online may take 4-6 weeks.

Mindswarms is a unique video consumer research platform. They’ll pay you $50 via PayPal to answer 10 questions about a product or service.

These studies normally take around 10 minutes and can be recorded via your webcam or smartphone, but competition to get selected can be fierce.

mindswarms

To create your account you’ll need to record a 60-second video about one of your passions. Or you can do this through the Mindswarms app on iOS or Android .

Earn $50-150 for online focus groups and studies. While the website doesn’t necessarily inspire confidence, 20|20 Panel has been around for over 30 years.

I found several online focus groups paying $50-200 on Focus Insite . The company popped up in my Instagram feed, a signal they’re actively recruiting new participants.

focus insight

You can join their panel database as a medical, technical, or business professional, or just as a general consumer. Alternatively, you can apply directly to the available market research studies listed.

The companies listed above certainly aren’t the only research companies around, and for this side hustle, it makes sense to join as many firms as you’re comfortable with.

That way, you’re presented with all the opportunities available, not just the projects managed by one company.

Here are a few more to consider:

  • Ascendency Research — On average, studies pay $60-350. Many are local to the Twin Cities, MN, but they have some national studies, too.
  • Elliott Benson — Conducting paid market research since 1995.
  • PRC Market Research — You can browse upcoming projects (and their pay rate) before registering. Most studies pay $100-300/hour.
  • NewtonX — Strictly for industry professionals to share their insight and get paid.
  • Focus Forward — A unique aggregator of paid focus group and survey opportunities.
  • UserTesting – Earn $10 for completing 20-minute online user tests of websites, apps, shopping portals, and more. This is pretty fun but you have to be fast because these tests get snatched up quickly.
  • Pulse Labs – Earn up to $100 a week providing video feedback on products.
  • Intellizoom – Get paid an average of $10 testing and reviewing websites.
  • UserBrain – Receive new websites to test every week, an earn $5 for each 5-15 minute test.
  • Google User Experience – Google pays gift cards for feedback on their products.
  • Nelson Recruiting — Nationwide market research company established in 1980.
  • Marketade – Specializes in remote usability testing, market validation, navigation research, and more.
  • Engage Studies – Earn as much as $100 per focus group through this research company.
  • Tell Us Your Opinion – Mainly operating in Tulsa but may have online/phone opportunities as well.
  • Adler Weiner Research – In-person studies in Chicagoland and Southern California, plus remote studies nationwide.
  • Advanced Focus – Hosts market research panels and focus groups in New York City.
  • Nichols Research – Get paid to participate in in-person focus groups, primarily in Northern California.
  • Herron Associates — In-person studies in Indianapolis, IN and Tampa, FL.
  • PrizeRebel – Earn $10-12 an hour doing surveys or completing other tasks. (Just avoid the low-paying ones.)

As with any side hustle, there’s an opportunity cost. As in, what else could you be doing with your time?

I encourage you to check out our monster list of side hustle ideas , but here are a few that are similarly flexible.

Become a Bookkeeper

One of the first jobs that many companies hire out is “someone to keep the books.” If you have experience in this field, or just love numbers, becoming a remote bookkeeper could way to make extra money.

Most businesses don’t need a full-time bookkeeper so they’re open to hiring someone part-time. Most virtual bookkeepers charge $100-300 per client per month.

Network with business owners locally or online and let them know about your service. It might make sense to check out this  free training on how to start a remote bookkeeping business .

make extra money by starting a bookkeeping business

Alternative Investments

If you’re after passive income , you might consider adding some alternative investments .

For example,  Fundrise  allows you to invest in professionally-vetted commercial real estate. This spreads your risk around with properties in multiple geographical locations–and minimums as low as $10 .

fundrise review

Disclosure: I’ve been a Fundrise investor since 2015, and earn a commission when you join through my referral link. Opinions are my own.

Resell Furniture Returns

Reselling furniture returns is a unique low-risk side hustle .

How it works is you join Sharetown as a local “reverse logistics” rep. Sharetown partners with direct-to-consumer mattress and furniture brands to handle their return requests.

When customers decide they don’t want to keep the item, you’ll get dispatched to go pick it up. After that, you’ll:

  • clean it up
  • photograph it
  • list it for resale on sites like Facebook Marketplace

side hustle with sharetown

The Sharetown reps I’ve connected with target $150-250 per flip — and, importantly — you don’t have to pay Sharetown for the inventory until the item sells.

Check out my full Sharetown review to learn more.

YouTube video

Sharetown reps make money by reselling gently-used furniture and bed-in-a-box mattresses. Top reps earn $4000+ per month.

  • Low startup costs
  • Great earning power
  • No hunting for inventory
  • Requires a truck or SUV
  • Bulky items to store
  • Not available in all areas

Become a Sharetown Rep

Mobile Notary Service

Becoming a mobile notary loan signing agent is one of the most popular gigs among the Side Hustle Nation community. The flexible, part-time side hustle involves walking new homeowners through their stack of mortgage documents.

loan signing agent side hustle

Appointments typically take around an hour and pay $75-150.

One big drawback to focus groups or online surveys is you’re limited in how much you can earn. It’s a great side hustle, but it’ll never be a full-time income.

Focus groups or paid research studies won’t pay your mortgage, but one or two a month will definitely help build your side hustle snowball .

Have you had any success in landing paid focus group studies? What do you think of this little supplemental side hustle?

Let me know in the comments below!

  • Start Your Free $500 Challenge . My free 5-day email course shows you how to add $500 to your bottom line.
  • Join the free Side Hustle Nation Community . The free Facebook group is the best place to connect with other side hustlers and get your questions answered.
  • Download The Side Hustle Show . My free podcast shares how to make extra money with actionable weekly episodes.

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market research groups online

Is there such thing as an online focus group?

Yes! Several companies facilitate online consumer research focus groups, which is great because that means you can earn money from the comfort of your home or office. Check out our full list to learn more.

How much do focus groups pay?

The pay for focus groups depends on how long the session lasts. Most commonly, you’ll find rates average around $100 an hour.

Where can I find legit paid focus groups?

Companies like Respondent, Fieldwork, and FocusGroup.com are all legit facilitators of paid focus groups. Or, for the best results, you might try an aggregator service like FindFocusGroups.com, which pools together focus group opportunities from several sources. Be sure to check the list of providers on Side Hustle Nation as well.

How do online focus groups work?

Online focus groups work either via conference call or more commonly, through a group video chat to more closely mimic the in-person experience. A moderator will lead the group discussion and participants can chime in through their webcam and computer microphone or phone line.

********* Stock photo  by Akhenaton Images via Shutterstock

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Nick Loper

About the Author

Nick Loper is a side hustle expert who loves helping people earn more money and start businesses they care about. He hosts the award-winning Side Hustle Show, where he's interviewed over 500 successful entrepreneurs, and is the bestselling author of Buy Buttons , The Side Hustle , and $1,000 100 Ways .

His work has been featured in The New York Times, Entrepreneur, Forbes, TIME, Newsweek, Business Insider, MSN, Yahoo Finance, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Financial Times, Bankrate, Hubspot, Ahrefs, Shopify, Investopedia, VICE, Vox, Mashable, ChooseFI, Bigger Pockets, The Penny Hoarder, GoBankingRates, and more.

58 thoughts on “Online Focus Groups: 26 Paid Research Companies that Pay Up to $250 an Hour for Your Opinion”

Nice job, Nick! I have only ever been able to score low paying “mystery shopper” gigs. I get a free meal and $15 or $20 for my trouble. It usually takes about an hour, so am making $15 – $20 per hour. I have repeatedly mystery shopped a “Roy Rogers” restaurant that is on the NYS thruway. Almost every time I have had to travel to or from my daughter’s college campus I have been able to get a free meal, $10 or $15, and a portion of my tolls paid. I wouldn’t make the effort except that I am already driving by and there is a good chance that I would need a bathroom break anyway. Everybody wins. :>) I will be checking on a couple of the sites you provided to see if there is anything I qualify for.

Thanks Kevin. I’ve been half-heartedly attempting to find a mystery shopping expert to school me on how it really works :)

Hi Nick – If you are still reading these comments, I hope you will remove User Interviews from your list. After reading your article, I applied with them and was excited at first, but they have a serious flaw. They do not screen what the companies post for the surveys. First you have to take a questionnaire to see if you will be selected for the survey. Time after time you spend time answering the flawed questionnaire, and then not being selected, probably because of being forced to complete an answer that is not correct. Here’s an example that I just sent to Tabitha at User Interviews:

“I was applying for the Medical Injectibles survey, and the first several questions went well. Then there was the question “Do you care for a child with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?” with the options of yes or no. I checked no, and I cannot imagine there are vast numbers of people who would have been able to check yes.

The next question was required, and it asked for the age of the person I care for, and had a box, also required, asking for the required medications.

Why was I prompted with that question when I had answered no?”

So that was yet another questionnaire that was flawed that completely wasted my time because I could not proceed. I have asked them to remove me from all further communication as I want nothing to do with them anymore, and I honestly don’t think you should be recommending them.

Hmm sorry for the trouble, Balinda. I agree, their conditional logic on the screener surveys could be better — or they could just advance to a “thanks but you’re not a fit” page. When those types of funky follow-up questions happen for me, I just back out and go back to the list since it’s clear I’m not going to qualify.

Nick, this list is AWESOME! I’ve been using User Interviews for about a month and a half and it seems like I hardly ever get selected for any of the surveys. In fact, I’ve only been selected for 1 so far (which literally took 10 minutes and I got a $30 Amazon gift card) and the second one I got approved for, by the time I got around to actually confirming my spot that evening, it was already fully booked up! I’m wondering with all the different options available if it would be feasible to make some decent side money – assuming the time commitment doesn’t get overwhelming. I’m gonna dig into this a little I think and see what I can come up with.

Hey Kyle, I hope you found some good “side jobs.” You mentioned that you used user interviews and only got 1 job. I’m so surprised by that. I have been using them for a few months and I have made a good bit of money. I had a 20 minute telephone survey and was paid $150! I had another that was in person. They came to my apt (they originally said to see my wardrobe in closet, but never did) they interviewed me on camera for about 10-15 minutes and then we went to a clothing store! They asked me if I liked the store, clothes, etc. In all I was with them about an hour. I got $350! I could have made another $100 for doing “homework,” but I was too busy. That’s just 2 of jobs I had from them. Anyway, I just wanted you to know, bcuz you should keep trying with them. I plan on hitting all these new ones, thanks to Nick! Good Luck!

It’s funny you bring this topic up. I LITERALLY started signing up for focus groups last Monday (going on two weeks) and I’ve already made $650. Most have came from respondent. I also signed up for the Reddit r/paidstudy group as well as the cool work ideas.com FB which posts multiple studies a day. I’m loving it so far!

Hi Nick, I’ve been using ACOP for a few years now it does take a long time to gather up money. I usually wait till I get up around $50 or so to cash in. The problem I find is it takes two to three months for it to show up in my Pay Pal account, very slow turn around.

Nick, I’ve been doing these for several years. I probably average about $1,000 per year doing these. This a great comprehensive list!

I tried Mindswarms. I had no trouble creating a profile video (though it really does not flatter me, nor had I trouble applying for studies. However, I have been on there for over a month, and I have been rejected for every. Single. Study. Besides that, they do not ever bother telling me, or giving me helpful suggestions. Their FAQ section is so useless as to be counterproductive. And I suspect that my mind and my interests are not average enough to make Mindswarms (or online studies/surveys in general) worth my while.

Here is a good rule of thumb: if you prefer the musical works of Vasily Kalinnikov (or just know who Vasily Kalinnikov was) over “Lady” Gaga, do not bother with surveys. Only the most average individuals with the most average minds can succeed with this rubbish. Or so my experiences would indicate.

Actually, the opposite is true. just regular surveys do kind of suck. However, the focus groups and interviews and so forth, all the ones that I’ve actually gotten into have been because I’m weird or different. That’s why so many people get declined. They look for people who don’t conform, mostly because they’re looking for new and innovative ideas. Why would you research the monotonous and mundane?

Thanks so much for the information. I signed up on Respondent today and have a 71% match on 1 survey. We’ll see how it goes.

I just tried to sign up with Respondent, and probably I’m the only one in the world with this problem of not having any social media sites. They want to verify your work on LinkedIn or your FB profile. I don’t have a FB account nor do I have a LinkedIn account. I know, I must be living in a cave, but the work I do does not allow me to use social media. What to do? I guess Respondent is out. Bummer.

This is pretty much the same for me too, Shari. Even if I had an account on social media I would only have my family and close friends on it. I wouldn’t want to give some site access. I also ran into one (can’t remember the name) where they wanted you to upload a video of yourself in order to get the surveys. I am also not comfortable with that. I’ve signed up with all that was listed above. We’ll see how it goes. Good luck to you!

Since I haven’t seen it noted in the comments or main blog anywhere I just wanted to put it out there that technically if you make over $600 with any single company like this they are supposed to issue a 1099 for your payouts. Normally if you accumulate that much over a year they may not bother BUT I was lucky enough to get into a study that paid $875 which immediately put me over that threshold. So then they issued a 1099 for all my earnings from them in that year. That hurt at tax time. This year I’m going to spread it out over as many companies as I can to hopefull get a lot but no single one over $600. And if you are lucky enough to get into a single high paying study, keep the tax implication in mind.

Very nice blog post. Thanks for sharing. On respondent I made $30 today. Not bad!

Thanks Nick, this list is AWESOME! I’ve been doing surveys and focus groups for about a year. I’ve had some great paying, easy jobs. I’ve also spent, what felt like like forever, time trying to qualify for them to no avail. However, from my experience, I can definitely say not to give up! Surveys are time consuming with little pay, for the most part. Focus groups, interviews, etc., is where the money is! I have been looking for more sites and you just gave me a bunch! I am gonna try them all! Keep the info coming! Thanks again!

I’m wondering if the earning need to be claimed on our taxes? Is there a record that we are being paid? Do these companies ask for any personal information? Thanks

Try Jackson/Adept in Los Angeles. They have a Beverly Hills and Encino location.

Here are Metro Detroit Focus Groups and my reviews of them

Morpace Inc. 31700 Middlebelt Road Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 Phone: (248) 737-5300 http://www.morpace.com Pays $80-$250 Focus Group Surveys (In Person). If they over fill the group which happened to me on one occassion then you get paid instantly without doing the survey. They pay by check or cash after the 1-2 hour in person survey. They offer surveys 1-2 times a year.

Shifrin Hayworth 26400 Lahser Rd #430, Southfield, MI 48033 Phone: (248) 223-0020 https://www.shifrin-hayworth.com/ Pays $50-$300 Focus Group Surveys (In Person). They pay by check or cash in person after the 1-2 hour survey. They offer surveys about 1-2 times a year.

I recently learned that you can only participate in 1 survey every 6 months which is why after being asked if you’ve done one recently you get disqualified.

I just did a study for them last week. They promised a $200 virtual gift card within 48 hours but it’s been a week and still nothing. They’ve stopped answering my emails and I can’t find a phone number for them, which seems pretty shady.

Did they ever get back to you/pay you?

So I have had really good luck with a lot of these companies you listed. I am a stay at home mom have been looking into all this and actively participating for about 6 weeks and made over 3000 dollars I have made 630 dollars on users interviews, 585 on respondents, 310 on user testing, 270 on validately usability studies , 250 on 20/20 panel, about 140 on intellizoom/ what users do Usability studies, 90 dollars on TrymyUI, and 50 on ping pong research. I have also made 375 dolars from focus point global. plus more companies that i got under 20 each from so there is money to be made here if you invest the time. I have done one on one studies with a web cam, phone interviews, product testing (shampoos, and even new cereal), online diary studies (usually about things you eat), and lots of usability studies. the key is knowing how to answer the screener questions. Thank you so much for your list I am going to check out the companies I have not uses yet

Whoa that’s awesome Casondra – thanks for sharing!

Hi Nick-I just found this post and thank you for “heads up”… I’m writing to share with you two top performers here in Seattle for in-person focus groups. In-Sight Space and Fieldwork / Seattle.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a few gigs with each of these company’s who conduct only focus groups. Most of the time the pay is cash on the spot and the groups range from 45 minutes to 2 hours. These two company’s have frequent remarkably high-paying gigs. It’s fairly common to attend a 90 minute focus group that pays anywhere from 150.00 – 350.00. On occasion I’ve landed one of their mock jury groups, sometimes held at one of Seattle’s finest hotels and lasts close to 8 hours. These mock jury groups have paid me between 300.00 to 550.00 for the gig and always provide a catered breakfast and lunch. Again, thanks for sharing your information and I hope you’re able to use my information and experience to help others.

Sincerely, Jason B.

Nice, Jason — thanks for sharing!

I’m registered with two companies for focus group and mock jury participation. I’ve done both and found them enjoyable and worthwhile. Usually payment was cash. One time it was a VISA gift card. The mock juries required more hours than the focus groups. One was Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Saturday evening. My experience has been food and beverages were provided when the event was more than 3 hours.

Participants were usually limited to one event in 6 months.

I’ve seen a large dropoff in opportunities since I reached a certain age. Sigh.

Very occasionally the local newspaper has a classified ad for focus group participants.

I need the mock jury site

Ok…I see several people are interested in Mystery Shopping so I thought I’d share a little info. I have done a lot of mystery shopping in the past and love it. Not amazing money but interesting and I enjoyed it. So…here are a few sites to start with…I hope this is OK…I see a few people said they would send information, but a lot of others requested info and I don’t know if they got what they needed. I hope this helps. So…first… this is the official website of the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association…it has a ton of good info and resources https://www.mspa-global.org/index.html Work available always depends on the type of job you are interested in and where you are located so the best companies to work with will vary for different people. Here are some other resources that may help… https://www.mysteryshopperjobfinder.com/members/resources/mspa-interview/ https://www.mysteryshopforum.com/ https://www.mysteryshoppermagazine.com/?source=forum-top-discussions and last but not least… https://www.shadowshopper.com Shadow Shopper…the first thing that pops up when you google Shadow Shopper will be scam alerts. I’m here to tell you it is not a scam. I have used them for years off and on. They do have a fee option, and to get anywhere, you probably will want to use it at least for a short time. But a lot of job boards charge a small fee. Basically it is where companies post work that they need to get done and shoppers go to find work. It’s a great way to see what is available in your area and skill set and interest and sign up with those companies offering that work. You can go out on your own and start just looking into shopping sites, but that sign up processing can be lengthy and if you pick one that doesn’t offer work in your area or jobs you want, you have wasted time and effort. Once you sign up with a few companies that you’ve found on Shadow Shopper, move on until you want to look for more. No need to keep your subscription if you have the work your want. Just my suggestion, but it has landed me several really good opportunities. One lasted years and was around made me around $2000/yr. Oh…and if you are wanting a list of companies…go here… it’s a tedious process to choose, but it’s an option… https://www.mysteryshopforum.com/companies/ Good luck and enjoy :)

Thank you Anna!

I’ve used Focus Pointe Global and Schlesinger in the Boston area for years. I’ve made really good money with them ($75-200 per session). People seem to over-estimate how difficult this all is. Sign up in the database, fill out a survey if you get an e-mail, if you pre-qualify for a study they call you to screen you again, you either qualify or you don’t on that phone call. If you’re picked, you go to their office and sit with the other people picked and just give your opinion for about 90 minutes. The hardest part for me is fighting traffic to get to the office in the city. These focus groups have been a lifesaver for me in periods of unemployment.

Will you get called every week about a survey? No, you definitely won’t, maybe not every month either. But if you sign up with 5-10 companies your chances of getting picked go up. And I agree that sites like Swagbucks are more or less a waste of time. It’s very small money.

Everyone is asking: How do I join? You have to go to the companies website and sign up for the panel (“Join the Panel”) and then wait. Also, the bigger companies post surveys on their Facebook pages so sign up for their notifications.

I do the best with Respondent, User Interviews and UTest.com. Also check out Affectiva’s job listings if you’re in the Boston area. I’ve made a lot helping to test out their automotive AI.

I have been doing focus groups online for prob 3 years or so. I have done a lot of them with watchlab and user interviews. Also accelerant research is a good one. Field work is another I’ve done them with. I’m sure there is more that I’ve used but i gotta tell u that these have been a life saver for me at times. I most recently did one that paid $400 which is the most I’ve made. I am signed up and in the databases of all that u listed plus a few others like accelerant research. Oh yeah another great place is Elliot Benson research.

Thanks for sharing Shelley!

you might try Mturk if you money to pay…

Great job on this article! I’ve been doing focus groups for many years. Probably made about $2,000 or so altogether.

I’d also recommend instapanel. I’ve been using them for several years to complete video surveys. They pay $20 for about 5-10 minutes of work. Here’s a link: https://instapanel.com/ .

I work for one of the market research companies that hire these focus group facilities/recruiters to get us the research we need. For in person focus groups (in facility) you can expect to get paid around $100 per hour, and more expensive if you’re in a specialty group (certain ailments, professionals such as tech). For online focus groups they run around $75 per hour.

If you want to know the panels to join around your area to join focus groups, I’d recommend going on Green Book (for research) and search on recruiters or facility around your neighborhood. This is where researchers go to find panels to do research with and you’ll get more opportunities with the facilities/recruiters there.

I don’t recommend online surveys bc you might terminate out of many surveys before you complete one and they won’t pay you more than $5 for one, and that’s on the rare end. Hope this helps!

Appreciate the insight — thanks Michelle!

I love love love all the great information I just obtained by reading your blog. OMG ! If anyone has any leads for Indiana specifically please let me know. I know of Herron Associates does a lot of research focus groups. Just go to their website and sign up. Ive done a few for them in the past and made anywhere from $50-150 for about an hour or so in person focus group. I think those are great and very interesting. If anyone wants to contact me to give me some tips on the mystery shopping I’d greatly appreciate it. TIA ( Thanks in Advance) Carrie

Thanks a bunch for the informative post! I signed up for several of the ones you have on this list and already got selected for a study. Just curious – most of the prescreen questions ask if you’ve recently participated in a study. If you have (I’ll fall into this bucket once I complete the study I just got picked for), does that greatly reduce your chances of being selected for another one?

Hi, are any of these open to people under 18?

All clinical trials are for ages 18-99.

Amalia, I apologize. I read your question to quickly & transposed the numbers. I thought you said 81.I’m rarely asked to prove my age, but they may have some way of checking. Product reviews are open to 16+, I believe. I’ve never had to show my ID online, only when I do things in person. Obviously medical care you’d show your ID.

Withpower.com is a great website to checkout medical trials. There are all sorts & bonus if you need medical care & don’t have the money to pay for it. Some just monitor or interview you…all the way up to getting medicated treatment for your condition. I even saw dental work on there.

Every clinical research compensated me for my time & travel. It’s always paid out very well for me & it’s definitely worth the time. I got $365 for downloading an app on my phone that I recorded how long I slept the night before.They sent a little survey with 4 questions every day to the app & I told them what time I went to bed, did I wake up during the night, how long did it take me to get back to sleep, and what time I woke up. I got paid in intervals at week 2, 6, 10, & 14. Super easy money.

I’m on #4 of this list now. User interviews has been fair to me. I’ve seen product reviews, online, and focus groups on there. If they let you know that you are qualified, act quickly!

Clinical research & focus groups are my favorite. I used to like doing product reviews & I still do. But once you really start getting into it, the rewards get better & better. Thank you so much, Nick. Yes, I referred you when signing up. You deserve it.

Hi Nick, this is a great job.

Many of these websites do not authorize participants from Nigeria and Africa. They have country-based restrictions. It sucks.

I have a master’s degree in business administration. I have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. I have a postgraduate diploma in economics, a postgraduate diploma in education and a professional diploma in early childhood education. I have a CEFR Level C1 in IELTS exam. I have done some surveys in my country, Nigeria and I performed well.

What survey sites do you recommend that do not have country-based restrictions? I am really curious Nick.

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What is a Focus Group and How to Use it in Your Market Research

what is a focus group

Chances are, you’ve come across focus groups if you’ve looked into market research or other forms of research. 

The term focus group is often used as one of the key methods to gather qualitative research , in the market research sphere. Although not quite an interview, this hands-on approach spurs discussions between research participants, which have the potential to go into great depth on a subject of study.

As such, using this technique allows businesses to gain critical insights into their target market, along with all of its segments. 

These insights help you hone in on your marketing, branding, advertising and other business processes.

Focus groups can be conducted with other research methods , such as survey research and more.

That’s why you ought to familiarize yourself with this type of research technique. Luckily, this lengthy guide goes into the weeds of this form of research , allowing you to gain an exhaustive understanding and decide whether you should carry out this kind of research method.

This thorough guide explains what a focus group is, how to use it, how it works, its advantages and shortcomings, how it ranks against survey research and more. 

Table of Contents: What is a Focus Group and How to Use it in Your Market Research

The role of the moderator, focus group size, the focus group approach, participant discussions, focus group participants, post-research document of findings.

  • Data Democratization in Post-Focus Group Research

How long does a focus group last?

The environment of the study, the types of questions used in focus groups, when to use a focus group, how online surveys are superior.

  • Benefits That Are Second to None

Reach the Masses and Conduct Quantitative Research

Quantitative + qualitative data = a complete market research experience, no need to worry about recruitment, granular respondent targeting, anonymity, privacy and no social pressures, focus groups vs. an online survey platform: the verdict, defining focus groups.

Let’s begin with the heart of the matter: what is a focus group ? A focus group is a small group of people selected based on their specific shared characteristics, to take part in a discussion for market research , or other types of research . 

Focus groups are a kind of primary research . Unlike market research software , which is one of the most popular tools for conducting research in the present day, a focus group does not take place digitally—not before Covid, that is . Now, many events, whether they are research-related or otherwise, take place via online meetings. 

focus group definition

At any rate, focus groups occur with all members in one conjoint session , whether it’s in-person or over the internet. Researchers can opt to include a single or multiple focus group sessions, should they require further studies on the same topic or group of participants.

Focus groups are one of the main techniques of qualitative research , which delves into a wide variety of phenomena. These include: 

  • Motivations 
  • Reasoning behind actions
  • Sentiments 

All of these aspects and topics of discussion can focus on the participants about various stimuli, such as current events, past events, plans, fears, culture, etc. 

Unlike quantitative data, which works to find the “what” and generate statistics, qualitative data aims at understanding a topic in greater depth.

Focus groups are composed of a small number of people who take part in a studied conversation alongside a moderator. The moderator is one of the main researchers assigned to this kind of study.

The role of the moderator is to ask questions, manage the discussion, make sure everyone speaks up and take notes on the discourse, which are later used to analyze it . Essentially, the moderator is a kind of host in this scenario.

focus group moderator

Their role is multi-pronged , as they wear different hats in the study. The degree of their involvement in the study may depend on the other actors involved, typically other researchers who are part of the focus group or the larger research study. 

In addition, their roles may differ based on the other market research techniques their organization uses, whether it includes survey research , concept testing, experimental research , or others.

The following lists the different aspects of the role of the focus group moderator:

  • Discussion driver
  • Interviewer
  • Post-session and on-site analyst

The typical size of a focus group ranges between 5-10 people. 5-7 is the ideal amount of focus group participants , as these groups are purposely kept small. 

That’s because when there are more than seven people present, it is difficult for every member to speak about a topic , or issue, and especially, to answer a specific question. It would also be difficult for the moderator to control a larger group and ensure everyone provides their insights. Additionally, some topics become irrelevant to continue discussing after the seventh person weighs in. 

This method provides an interactive approach for research participants to share their viewpoints and experiences and for researchers to collect critical data on their subjects.

In direct opposition to quantitative market research , focus groups do not involve crunching large numbers or making assumptions based on large quantities. Instead, they focus on a small group of participants who represent different market segments and customer personas . 

In keeping with the qualitative research approach, the moderator uses open-ended questions. The moderator may also use multiple-choice questions, but those are almost always followed up with questions to explain the reasoning behind choosing a particular answe r. 

Thus, these discussions are typically filled with questions that delve into the “why” and “how,” as they seek to uncover context and motivations.

The purpose of this qualitative research methodology is to gain a wealth of insights into customer behavior , customer preferences , attitudes, beliefs and more, by way of a hands-on approach. 

As such, the focus group method is intended to reap key insights from the discussion generated among participants . During the discussion, the participants are not solely encouraged to respond to questions the moderator asks  but to engage in conversations with other participants.

In doing so, participants are prompted to reflect on their memories and draw from their own experiences. 

The discussion of the focus is based on a pre-selected topic . This is usually tied to a larger market research campaign , which may be part of another business campaign, such as the strategic planning process , a marketing objective, a consumer insights campaign and more. 

In market research specifically, the participants of a focus group are members of a business’s or in broader studies, an industry’s target market . This is the broad range of customers who are most likely to buy from a business and are typically the targets of marketing campaigns.

The shared characteristics of the study can be based on demographics, psychographics, geographic location and firmographics . Firmographics characteristics are those that involve business, as such, they would be included in a B2B focus group. This is a study on other businesses, typically those who are clients of a business.

focus group participants

Demographic factors include characteristics such as gender, age range, ethnicity, income, education level, marital status, number of children and other such factors. These can include geographic locations, although geographical factors are considered a separate category in market segmentation .

Post-Focus Group Research

After the interview or set of interviews in this study, the moderator gathers the research and summarizes it. They may conduct their analysis or consult with other researchers on their team.

It is usually the other researchers who are better suited to understand and explain certain communication styles, and body language as well as to conduct further descriptive research . As such, there may be several rounds of analyses on the data from the focus group

Thus, in post-focus group research, which refers to post-interview research , there is usually a team of researchers involved in analyzing the group’s discussion and the data it produced. 

After conducting an analysis, the researchers, including the moderator, will consult with one another to turn the raw data and analyzed research into a presentable document. This document should include the following:

  • The purpose of the focus group study
  • Demographics
  • Psychographics
  • Geographies
  • Firmographics (if business personnel were studied)
  • Key findings
  • Explanations of key beliefs, sentiments, opinions, or thoughts
  • This should include comparing them on a higher level, as each participant can represent a different segment of a target market.
  • These can include statistics drawn from other market research methods, such as using an online survey tool , other non-focus group interviews and even sources of secondary research.
  • This should include what the researchers plan to do next with the data, especially about other team members.
  • After all, most data and research campaigns should be actionable. You wouldn’t want your efforts and highly-coveted data to sit idly and gather dust.
  • This should be concise and round off the study.
  • It should include a few of the most important findings, along with the plan of action and next steps.

They would then share it with other members of their organization . This often depends on the purpose of the focus group study. 

For example, if it was for marketing purposes, the research would be primarily shared with the marketing team. If it was for customer development , it would be shared with the product team and so on. 

Data Democratization in Post-Focus Group Research 

There are going to be some cases in which the topic scrutinized in this kind of study doesn’t neatly correlate with a single department. This is perfectly fine, as certain business practices can be conducted cross-departmentally, or for the business at large.

This is where the democratization of data comes in. This concept refers to the practice and condition in which everybody in an organization has access to data. In such an environment there are no team members hindering access to the data. As such, there should be no bottlenecks preventing people from either using the data or understanding it.  

This points to the need for the data to be both highly accessible and understandable . This underscores the i mportance of creating the post-research document mentioned in the previous section.

It is this document that serves as the go-to source for examining a business’s focus group study , and most importantly, putting the study to good use . This means the actions the focus group yields will go beyond those outlined in the plan of action section in the study’s main document. 

Instead, in a democratized data environment, other team members, those who aren’t researchers or analysts, can analyze the data as well. This ability allows them to partake in the data for the decision-making process . 

This is important for all companies, as data goes unused in too many businesses. Even though  more companies are investing in customer data, up to 80% of all data goes unused . You wouldn’t want to waste your money and efforts on churning out data that goes unused. 

As such, data democratization is a must in all market research campaigns, including docs groups. 

How Focus Groups Work

Focus groups use a specific methodology to clear away any ambiguity. As aforementioned, the small group that makes up a focus group comprises 5-7 people . 

The participants are pre-recruited, similar to the mechanism for gaining research participants used in survey panels . They are enlisted based on shared characteristics, which are considered the subject of market research.

focus group market research

To reiterate, these characteristics include demographics, psychographics, purchase history, shopping behaviors, and other factors.  

The qualifications that researchers use to recruit participants often bind the participants to a brand’s target market. However, brands can also study people outside their target market to learn how other consumers think and possibly gain them as customers. 

Focus group discussions vary; they can involve feedback on a product, experience, or marketing campaign . They can also be used to discuss consumers’ opinions on different matters, such as pop culture, news and politics, especially if they relate to a brand’s industry. 

The discussions are led by a moderator , who prompts questions and talking points. The moderator sets the conversation in motion, along with acting as the researcher. As such, the moderator also notes their observations. 

The length, both in terms of questions and the discussion of the interviews themselves will vary. It is up to the moderator to decide whether they’ve gleaned enough information from the participants or not before moving on to another question or topic or ending the session .

Typically, these discussions involve using 10-12 questions to draw out responses on key topics that underpin the overall market research campaign. The discussion takes about 30 to 90 minutes.

A focus group environment should be o pen-minded as participants can have varying and even oppositional opinions. No one should be made to feel threatened or silenced, as every insight matters.

Focus groups are NOT to be conducted in the same way as interviews . They are far more interactive, but most importantly, they are not carried out on a one-on-one basis . Instead, they are group-focused activities, in which participants speak with each other instead of solely with an interviewer. 

As such, the participants may influence each other , possibly swaying the minds of some members, or reinforcing someone’s opinions. Some participants will draw opposition or even aversion to their responses from others, possibly from the moderators themselves. 

This is because they’re in the same broader target market, they are all individuals who hold their own opinions and convictions. 

Regardless , the moderator should not input any of their opinions or beliefs into the discussion and be as neutral as possible . They should assume this neutrality even if they severely disagree with any of the participants. 

Since focus groups are small, researchers often conduct several (3-4) of them, which includes hosting several interviews per focus group, across different geographic locations. This way they can reap the maximum amount of insights and satisfy all of their research campaigns.

The Pros and Cons of Focus Groups

This market research method offers several advantages. These will help propel you to understand your customer base or subject matter much better. They will also help carry your research to completion. But, they have a few drawbacks as well. Researchers and businesses ought to consider both before choosing this research method.

  • Researchers can probe the deep feelings, perceptions and beliefs of their intended subjects.
  • When members are engaged, they provide invaluable information that removes any obscurities surrounding a topic.
  • They generate results fairly quickly, as each session lasts no more than 90 minutes.
  • Researchers can study body language, facial expressions and other non-verbal signs.
  • Not all questions need to be premeditated, as they can be produced based on the direction of the conversation.
  • Given that this is a discussion, you may discover even more insights than you had originally planned, including on other adjacent topics.
  • The thoughts of a small group that fits a target market are useful but are not representative of a larger population.
  • Recruitment will take a significant portion of the time.
  • Traversing different geographic areas, if need be, is also time-consuming.
  • Some members will be dominant while others will contribute less to the discussion.
  • Certain participants can sway the discussion, even making it veer towards irrelevant territories. 
  • They can’t be used for quantitative research. 
  • They are therefore subject to social pressures and acquiescence bias , in which respondents tend to select positive responses or those with positive connotations. 
  • As such, there is a lack of accuracy, as these groups are not anonymous. 

The moderator of a focus group should ask specialized questions to reap as much intelligence as possible. While this format is generally flexible, there are still certain question types that you should incorporate. These will help you hatch the questions you’ll need. 

Here are the four types of questions that are most applicable to a focus group , along with question examples:  

  • Engagement questions
  • These questions are designed to ease participants into the discussion by introducing themselves, 
  • These are easy questions posed early on to introduce the participants to each other, to make them more at ease, and to acquaint them with the main topic at hand. 
  • Tell us a bit about yourself.
  • What do you generally think about ads in this industry?
  • What do you think of this ad campaign?
  • Exploration questions
  • These questions probe deeper into the topic to get a feel of the participants’ feelings about it. 
  • These questions are to be asked after participants begin to ease into the conversation and become more active in it.
  • Why do you feel that way?
  • Have you seen better examples of this type of ad campaign?
  • What would be a better way to go about it?
  • Why do you feel this way about this [social] issue?
  • Follow-up questions
  • These are used to gain a better understanding of a previous question answered, or a previous topic addressed. 
  • These allow the moderator to get into the nitty-gritty of participants’ feelings and motivations.
  • How do you go about this issue?
  • Why do you feel this way?
  • Is there anything that would change your mind about [this issue, method, way, etc]?
  • How can this brand improve on serving [you, releasing a campaign, etc]?
  • Exit questions
  • These questions help conclude the session and should be asked when the moderator is certain that the group has expressed everything they can on the topic.
  • They should be used to get confirmation on certain notions.
  • Are you sure these are the best approaches?
  • Is there anything else on this topic you’d like to add?

Do you need a focus group? If you do, you’ll need to know when to use them, which is rooted in the reason behind conducting them in the first place. As such, the when is closely tied to the why and how.

when to use a focus group

In short, knowing when to use a focus group depends on what you need it for. This will require you to turn to your research campaigns and needs. The following presents a few key moments and reasonings for when you should use this kind of research technique:

  • To better understand the results of primary quantitative research or secondary quantitative data about qualitative aspects.
  • Whenever you need to gain an explanation of something, whether it’s a phenomenon, a thing of the past, something current, something you still don’t understand.
  • When you seek a more interactive research method as opposed to a textual or digitally-based one.
  • When you require information about behaviors, motivations and other phenomena that are too complex for a questionnaire alone to reveal.
  • In this case, the senior center already has a batch of possible participants to choose from, being the members of the center.
  • In this case, the club can choose from a wide range of students at the college. They can promote their group via signs, a booth, email, etc.

Focus Groups Vs Online Surveys

Now that you’ve learned about the ins and outs of focus groups, it’s time to see how they stack up with another research method: online surveys . It’s key to compare them closely when you decide on the best research method you wish to conduct.

A focus group is a suitable method to garner qualitative research . It is far more interactive than seeking and providing written responses. So how do focus groups measure up against online surveys? 

This method is useful for finding deep insights into a topic. It allows researchers to get as granular as possible, since they are speaking with the research subjects themselves and can ask anything that they didn’t include in a survey.

focus groups vs surveys

The following expounds on why online surveys provide researchers with more meaningful results and a more comprehensive market research experience. Use these insights to compare with the benefits of focus groups to determine the better option for your research needs.

Benefits that are second to none

An online survey platform , however, offers benefits that are second to no other market research method . That is because surveys offer more definitive results about a population  since they are not limited to 10 or fewer research participants.

A potent online survey tool allows you to reach thousands of people — in just one survey alone.

This means surveys are the most apt tool for conducting quantitative research, something that a focus group cannot do . 

What’s more, is that surveys can include open-ended questions and follow-up questions (depending on the online survey platform you use). This proves that surveys can also forge qualitative market research. 

Thus , online survey platforms grant you the power to conduct both quantitative and qualitative research, giving you the most holistic research experience possible.

Additionally, there is no recruitment element. The survey platform is the recruiter in this case, as it allows only qualified respondents to take part in a survey . 

You can create respondent requirements that are as granular as you wish, covering every minute detail of a customer profile and reaching any population. 

This is because a strong online survey platform enables researchers to select precise respondent criteria , the kind that goes far beyond demographic selections alone.

That is because the screener portion of an online survey allows you to ask specific questions and only permits respondents who chose particular answers to take the survey.  

When taking an online survey, respondents cannot be swayed by other participants as they would in a focus group as surveys are lone activities. Therefore, respondents take them in privacy. 

Most importantly, survey software grants responders anonymity . There is no anonymity in a focus group, so more reserved members will feel less inclined to speak about certain things. 

Additionally, when domineering respondents are present, it adds another layer of difficulty to the reticent participants , especially when it comes to speaking about views that are contrary to those of a dominant member.

However, with the anonymity of a survey, respondents are free to speak their minds. As such, surveys too can provide qualitative details — so long as researchers include open-ended questions.

So which is the better research technique? The answer is, it depends on your needs. Most often a focus group is used in tandem with other market research methods. As such, we recommend using both online surveys and focus groups for your research campaigns.

Here’s why:

Researchers can use a focus group to their advantage when they seek deeper insights into the perceptions and thoughts of various business matters. 

Whether you’re testing out a new product idea, seeking the sentiment on an ad campaign, trying out new messaging, or seeking insights for any other purpose, a focus group is a useful method. However, they are but one market research method; as such they can and often are used with other market research techniques. 

However, survey research is one of the most powerful forms of research , in that it empowers researchers to probe into anything and reach relatively anyone (should the survey platform allow it). 

A strong online survey tool will deploy your survey to the most popular websites and apps , and take no more than 2 days to gather the number of respondents you input. In addition, it can send your survey to specific individuals through specific online channel s , such as social media, email, or landing pages. Your survey platform would need to offer the Distribution Link feature to do this.

In addition, the online survey platform you choose should allow you to create logic in your survey, that is, to route respondents to appropriate follow-up questions based on the answer they provide to a question . Choose a platform that offers advanced skip logic to do this. 

All in all, researchers who are serious about conducting market research campaigns should use surveys alongside any other research method , including that of a focus group. It provides quantitative data, which focus groups do not, along with a wide breadth of key features and capabilities to complete any market research campaign. 

Frequently asked questions

What is a focus group.

A focus group is a small group of survey research subjects, typically composed of 6-10 participants who take part in a moderated discussion about a particular topic. The participants are chosen based upon similar characteristics.

What is the moderator’s role in a focus group?

The moderator of a focus group leads the discussion by asking questions, proposing talking points, studying the responses and taking notes on the findings. The moderator keeps the conversion flowing and ensures that the discussion remains amicable, even when discussing sensitive topics or opposing opinions.

How can focus groups support a qualitative research project?

Focus groups are used in qualitative research to help gain a deeper understanding of the motivations behind the behavior, attitudes, or feelings of a group of people. By directly addressing a portion of the sample population, researchers can delve into the “why” or “how” behind data that has already been collected.

What are some of the benefits of a focus group?What are some of the disadvantages of focus groups? Focus groups are conducted with a smaller group of people, therefore the recruitment phase can take longer and the thoughts of the group may not represent the larger population. In addition, it is possible that stronger voices can dominate the conversation and influence or obscure the findings.

Focus groups allow for the exploration of deep feelings and opinions, can provoke thoughtful insights, provide quick results, allow researchers to study non-verbal signals that accompany the discussion, and can result in unexpected information.

What are some of the disadvantages of focus groups?

Focus groups are conducted with a smaller group of people, therefore the recruitment phase can take longer and the thoughts of the group may not represent the larger population. In addition, it is possible that stronger voices can dominate the conversation and influence or obscure the findings.

Do you want to distribute your survey? Pollfish offers you access to millions of targeted consumers to get survey responses from $0.95 per complete. Launch your survey today.

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33 Best Paid Focus Groups Online (Make $450+/Hour)

Finding paid focus groups online or near you can be a great way to make some extra cash. I mean, who doesn’t like talking about what they think!

This is why doing paid market research by participating in in-person or online focus groups is an easy way to make money doing just that.

While some do pay you more than others, there are plenty of paid focus groups that are legitimate, including in terms of just how much you can earn by doing this.

And when looking to do focus groups for money, you can choose to join a discussion on basically any topic you can think of. Whether you want to talk about what you bought at the supermarket last week or your opinion on the current state of politics in your area, there are definitely going to be options for you to make money discussing this.

group of people doing an online paid focus group around a table

Table of Contents

Best paid focus groups

There are a ton of sites setting out options for you to do paid focus groups online or near you, with all of them being free to sign up for. 

In most cases, actually signing up for the sites is the only way to see the available focus group opportunities. This is why it’s a good idea to sign up for as many as you can to give yourself the best chance possible to qualify for a focus group and to make some extra money.

1. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is mainly focused on offering surveys for you to complete, which take just a couple of minutes each and will pay you a few dollars per survey.

However, they also offer focus groups online, as well as sometimes conducting them in-person or even by phone. In fact, Survey Junkie pays up to $150 for you to join one of their paid focus groups , which will usually require you to go through a few pre-qualification questions to allow you to be selected.

The best part here is that signing up for Survey Junkie is completely free , allowing you to keep an eye on what’s available at absolutely no cost to you.

QUICK TIP:  Given how popular Survey Junkie’s focus groups are, it’s a good idea to select the option to be notified of these by email – that way, you can grab one as soon as it’s available.

All you have to do is sign up for Survey Junkie , then go the notification part of your profile settings. Click to receive the notifications you want and you’re good to go!

2. Respondent

Respondent is well known for offering a massive range of paid focus groups online. But what’s even better is that when it comes to high paid market research online, Respondent is easily the best around.

In fact, you can earn up to $250 just for a one-hour focus group . You can also be based anywhere in the world to do this. 

To apply to join a Respondent focus group, you simply need to create an account and set up your profile.

One great part of using Respondent is that, after you sign up with them, you’ll immediately have access to all of the different focus groups that are currently available to you.

This is much better than some of the other companies , which only reach out to you by email if they think you’re a fit so it can be hard to know exactly how many are on offer.

Sign up for Respondent here to see which paid focus groups are available to you right now.

Related: Make $200 a Day Online: 17 Ways That Are Proven To Work

3. Ipsos i-Say

Ipsos i-Say is one of the largest market research companies in the world, having been in this business for decades now. Not only does this mean they work with companies in all sorts of industries, but they also accept focus group participants from all over the world.

Their paid focus groups will generally let you earn up to around $100 for a one-hour session, however you can also download the i-Say app to do surveys through your phone. These will only pay up to about $1.50 per survey, although they’re much faster than the focus group sessions.

Sign up for free with Ipsos i-Say here.

woman doing a paid focus group online on her laptop

4. User Interviews

User Interviews is one of the most well-known companies offering paid focus groups and it helps that signing up is very simple.

Essentially, simply create your profile and the system will start automatically linking you up with any offers you qualify for.

And regarding how much you can earn, the starting range is around $75 for a half-hour session . From there, the amount you can earn can go way up depending on how much of your time is needed and how specialized the questions are. 

In cases where you really need some background experience to participate, you can even earn up to $450 just for a one-hour focus group session.  While this is the crème de la crème of high paid market research online, opportunities at this rate aren’t so common – but there’s no reason why you couldn’t strike the jackpot and qualify for one!

5. Recruit and Field

Recruit and Field mainly does online paid focus groups, although there are occasionally options to do these in person.

And given how highly rated this company is online, you know they’re legitimate.

You’ll generally earn anywhere between $100 to $300 per study , with payment usually being made by PayPal although you can choose to get this paid through gift cards instead.

Recruit and Field does a lot of market research in professional and technical areas, meaning they are particularly on the lookout for focus group participants with specialized backgrounds, such as in the medical or legal fields. This means that if you’ve worked in these areas, Recruit and Field could be a good fit for you.

Related: 29 Quick Tips on How to Make $300 Fast

6. PingPong

PingPong is one of the newer sites offering paid focus group opportunities, but this doesn’t make it any less legitimate. In fact, their clients include companies like Skyscanner, Nestle, Dropbox and McKinsey.

You can earn up to €100 per hour for their focus group sessions, which are also open to those in the US and other countries outside of Europe, despite their rates being in Euros.

man doing paid market research online

There’s also the chance to get paid to test websites with PingPong, if you’d prefer that as a money making option.

Related: 25 Websites Where You Can Get Paid to Type Online

7. Google Usability

Google Usability allows you to participate in focus groups online for money directly through Google. These surveys specifically focus on you sharing your thoughts on Google products, which are mostly done online but there is the chance to do in-person studies from time to time.

You’ll earn around $75 per hour which, while not the top paying focus group on this list, does have the perk of knowing you’re directly shaping the products of one of the biggest companies in the world.

8. American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion has over six million users worldwide and is mainly focused on paying you to complete surveys. These don’t pay that much (up to around $0.50 per survey), but it does also have longer focus group surveys from time to time that pay up to about $50 each.

You’re not paid in straight up cash – instead, you earn points for each one you complete. These points can then be cashed out either through PayPal or by check.

9. 20|20 Panel

20|20 Panel pays between $50 to $150 for giving your ideas on its clients’ products and services. Having existed for more than 30 years, it’s considered as being one of the more established market research companies.

While they do have offices in several US cities, they mainly do online paid focus groups, meaning you can apply to participate from anywhere in the world.

10. Focus Pointe Global

Focus Pointe Global in the US (and its sister company in the UK, Inspired Opinions ) mainly offers online focus groups, although there are also sometimes in-person options in one of their 16 offices throughout the US.

You’ll be paid anywhere between $50 to $250 for participating and it seems that they have a particular preference for anyone interested in discussing their thoughts on various medical issues. 

This doesn’t only mean people with a professional medical background, as it can also include those who’ve suffered from an illness in the past and are willing to share their thoughts on various aspects relating to this.

man with laptop doing focus groups online for money

It’s also worth mentioning that Focus Group by Schlesinger reviews, as this company is now more commonly known after it was bought out by Schlesinger, aren’t always amazing. That said, a lot of these seem to arise from some confusion by those who filled in their profiles and thought that this automatically qualified them to do paid market research. 

Just be aware that that’s not the case for any company that runs paid focus groups – and the reviews of this company for people who did actually do some of their surveys are generally positive in terms of how much and when you’re paid.

11. Mindswarms

Mindswarms takes full advantage of the fact that we all have phones with cameras by having participants answer market research questions by simply filming themselves then uploading their responses to the Mindswarms app.

This is much easier than having to attend an online focus group at a set time, as you can be as flexible as you want in terms of when you record and share your opinions.

It’s also very quick, as you’ll only ever have to answer up to seven questions in one go, allowing you to earn $50 for doing this.

12. Survey Feeds

Survey Feeds may not have the fanciest looking website on this list, but it has some incredible payouts for participating in a paid focus group.

These are offered both online and, in some cases, in-person, with the rates being among the highest you’ll see in this field. Standard rates are up to around $175 for a one-hour session but, as you can see below, they also have offers for you to earn $500 for a 60-minute in-person survey.

example of paid focus groups for you to do paid market research

And you can even find the occasional one that will pay you $2,000 for a two-day market research workshop, as well as travel costs.

example of paid focus groups for you to do paid market research

13. Find Focus Groups

Find Focus Groups has been around since 2006 and claims to have listed over 70,000 legitimate focus groups in the US.

They offer the chance to discuss your thoughts on all sorts of topics, including finance, travel, video games, food, sports and more.

You can search by city or state to find paid focus groups near you on their site. There are also options for those aged from 16 years old, for any teens looking to make money .

Related: 29 Legit Online Jobs for Teens to Make Serious Money

14. FocusGroups.org

FocusGroups.org has focus group opportunities in more than 47 cities around the US, allowing you to earn up to $250 per group. In fact, they say that they’ve paid out over $16.5 million to participants.

You don’t even need to create a profile to see the paid focus groups near you, as you can simply click on your city on their homepage to see what each group will discuss and the payout.

examples of paid focus groups for you to do paid market research

15. Apex Focus Group

Apex Focus Group is essentially a search engine for different paid focus groups being offered around the US. While some of these are online, many of them let you find focus groups near you given that they all list any location requirements.

Almost all of them pay well in excess of $100, with several paying between $300 and $400 for your participation in what are mostly consumer-related questions.

Find out more in our Apex Focus Group review .

16. Fieldwork

Fieldwork focuses on consumer-related questions, so if you’re interested in doing a paid focus group where you talk about the clothes you buy or the banks where you have accounts, this could be for you.

They have a list of cities in the US where they hold in-person focus groups. However, if you don’t live in one of these cities, you can also register to join their National Database for when they need focus group participants who aren’t located in a particular place.

17. Craigslist

From time to time, you can find paid focus groups on Craigslist. These are often with legitimate companies who aim to get a wider range of people by advertising on there.

Of course, as with all things Craigslist, make sure you check what’s involved before going somewhere in-person for this.

person on laptop doing an online national focus group to get paid

18. Facebook

Facebook can be great for finding out about opportunities to join paid focus groups. For example, the Find Focus Groups page lists all of their recently added opportunities for which they need participants.

By following these pages, you’ll increase your chances of seeing it and applying before anyone else.

More focus group panels to do high paid market research online

If the options above aren’t quite enough for you, then there are plenty of other sites offering opportunities to do focus group surveys that pay!

Check out the list below for some extra options to do focus groups online for money.

  • Brand Institute
  • Experience Dynamics
  • Field Voices
  • Focus Group
  • GLG Insights
  • Maru Springboard America
  • Plaza Research
  • Probe Market Research
  • SIS International
  • Survey Squad
  • 2020 Research

How much do focus groups pay?

While rates will vary, most focus groups pay anywhere between $25 to $150 per session. The amount you’ll receive will depend on how long the session takes and the level of expertise required to participate, with some even offering up to $450 per hour for your time.

If you attend an in-person focus group, you could also get some money to cover your transport costs and, if the session takes more than a few hours, even some money for food.

Based on my experience, the sites with the most frequent availability of high-paying focus groups are Survey Junkie (up to $150) and Respondent (up to $250).

While some there are some high paid market research opportunities that do pay more from time to time, they don’t tend to have offers available as frequently as these two. That means that you tend to earn more over time with these sites.

The ones that pay more generally require you to have some specific expertise in a certain area. It’s worth noting though that these aren’t the norm and so don’t expect these to become available all the time.

Most companies that hold pay focus groups pay via check, bank transfer or as PayPal cash . In some cases, especially with online focus groups that pay, you may get paid with a gift card for companies like Amazon, Visa or even PayPal which is, in effect, getting paid in cash.

In the case of a few sites, you’ll earn points instead of straight up cash. Those points can also be exchanged for gift cards.

Related: 43 Amazing Under the Table Jobs that Pay Cash

Can you make a living doing focus groups?

Doing paid focus groups is great to earn some extra cash, but it’s going to be difficult to make a living doing this. This is because while some market research groups do pay well as an hourly rate, it’s generally not going to be enough to replace your main source of income.

This is why your goal in doing paid focus groups shouldn’t be to make a living. Instead, it’s a great way to make some extra cash in addition to your more consistent ways of making money.

group of people doing a paid focus group in person

Are $350 surveys real?

The possibility of doing $350 surveys is definitely real, although it’s good to keep in mind that this isn’t a standard rate. Instead, these tend to only be available to people with specific expertise in a certain area who thus need to be paid for their experience.

It’s much more likely that you’ll earn anywhere between $25 and $150 for doing paid focus groups. Only in some very specialized cases can you earn much more than this, although these definitely can go up to and even exceed $350.

It’s also worth highlighting the fact that these great earning rates apply to paid focus groups, not the kind of surveys you’ll find in apps. While those surveys can be a very good way to make a few extra dollars, especially at times when you’d probably just be wasting time on your phone anyway, you’re more likely to make $3.50 from these rather than $350.

What is a paid focus group?

A paid focus group is a small group of people who earn money in exchange for providing their opinions on a particular topic, such as for market research or political analysis. The aim is to use this information to determine the position of the general population on these same issues.

Focus groups can be conducted either online or in-person, but generally aim to have a diverse set of people participating. This is so that the company doing the research can have as wide a range of opinions represented in their findings as possible.

What is an example of a focus group?

An example of a focus group is one that’s held prior to the launch of a new product. In doing this, the company developing the product is able to gauge the general public’s opinion on issues relating to the product, including any marketing campaigns surrounding this.

The people participating in a high paid market research focus group like this won’t only be asked about the new product itself. They may also be asked about any competitors, such as their opinion on these competitors, whether they’ve used any competing products and what made them choose to use that specific competing product (or not, as the case may be).

Focus group participants may also be asked for their opinions on advertisements, either for the product in question or other similar ones.

By doing this, it helps a company to shape both the product and the marketing around it to suit their target audience before the actual launch.

How do focus groups work in-person?

Focus groups that are held in person are undertaken by having you and the other participants come to a venue to discuss a particular topic together. Usually, there will be a moderator in the room guiding the discussion and taking notes.

Their job isn’t to encourage you to have a certain opinion. Instead, they simply want to hear your thoughts on each of the different questions they want the discussion to cover.

You’ll often be sharing your thoughts as part of a group in the same room, meaning you’re able to discuss your opinions with the other participants to hear what they have to say and vice versa.

Not all in-person focus groups take place over just one session. However, if you’re asked to come a few times, you’ll also be paid for each session you attend.

How do online focus groups work?

Online focus groups work in a similar way to in-person focus groups, except that you join via an online platform. You’ll often be asked to do this with your webcam turned on, meaning that everyone can see you and discuss the various questions essentially the same way as they would in-person.

Expect to receive a link to access the discussion in the days before the focus group session. This may be using more generic software, like Skype, but some paid market research companies do have their own applications they ask you to use.

You’re also likely to be recorded if you join any online focus groups that pay, although this is also similar to what happens during in-person focus groups as well.

Online focus groups are becoming more popular these days for doing paid market research, as it’s much cheaper and logistically easier than trying to get everyone into one room. It also allows for a more diverse range of opinions, as people can join from literally anywhere in the world. This clearly compares to in-person focus groups, which have to generally be limited to those who are within driving distance of the venue.

Pros and cons of doing focus groups for money

When looking at the pros and cons of doing focus groups for money, the advantages include the following:

  • It’s a quick way to make a good amount of money. It’s rare to find a side hustle that can make money in one hour (up to $150!), but doing paid focus groups definitely meets that criteria.
  • It’s fun to talk about your opinions. Most people like to talk about what they think, so the fact that you can actually get paid well for this is just icing on the cake.
  • Your opinions can have an actual impact. By doing paid focus groups, these companies use this information to shape consumer and political action going forward. It can definitely be nice to know you have that kind of influence.

people at a table with laptops doing a research focus group for money

That said, there are some disadvantages in using focus groups as a way to make money that are worth considering. In particular:

  • It’s not a steady way to make extra money. While the hourly rate of doing paid focus groups is amazing, it’s difficult to do this consistently. With paid market research companies often looking for a specific demographic, you’re not always going to qualify, meaning you can’t rely on this as an extra source of income.
  • It can be hard to find paid focus groups that actually pay well. While there are plenty of options out there to earn good money doing this, there are also a lot of companies that try to undercharge. It can be tempting to accept any focus group opportunity in the hope of making some money, but make sure you know what your time is worth.
  • The process of getting accepted into a focus group can be frustrating. Basically all of the sites advertising paid focus group opportunities require you to apply to participate – which you can only do if you meet some prerequisites. Even ticking off all the initial criteria doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be accepted, meaning it can get pretty frustrating when you want to make money in this way but don’t seem to be able to crack the code.

Are paid focus groups legitimate?

Paid focus groups are definitely a legitimate way to make money. There are dozens of major market research companies out there that rely on focus groups for shaping their customers’ activities, which means they pay very well for you to participate in these.

This doesn’t mean that all companies that run paid focus groups are legitimate, of course. Some do try to undercharge, which is why the list in this article focuses only on those that are known to be legitimate, including in how they treat participants.

Given that you can be paid upwards of $150 for only an hour of your time, this is clearly an hourly rate that you’re not going to get everywhere. In addition, by sticking to the market research companies on this list, you can be assured that they’re reliable and that you’ll actually get paid each time.

How do you find focus groups?

You can find focus groups by signing up with companies that make paid market research opportunities available and completing your profile. This is because, even if they have open focus groups currently, you will generally only be accepted if you are in their target demographic .

This is why it’s a good idea to sign up for as many of the best focus group websites and focus group companies as you can. By doing that, you’re making yourself available for as many focus groups as possible, in allowing these companies to check your personal characteristics and determine if you’re a fit.

Of course, you should also do your own research to make sure you’re comfortable sharing this information with each company. A simple Google search is usually a great start to see other people’s reviews on their own experiences doing paid focus groups with these companies. Checking these companies’ social media profiles can also really help.

woman on laptop applying for online focus groups for money

How to join a focus group

To join a focus group, you must first complete your profile with the relevant company and then apply to join available focus group opportunities. The researcher will review your profile to see if you’re in the target demographic, so you may be contacted for more details about yourself.

Paid focus groups often need a wide variety of people to ensure they’re getting the broadest range of opinions possible. This is why they need this information about you – to make sure you’re the right fit and not waste your or their time.

How do you get picked for focus groups?

To get picked for a focus group, make sure your profile is as complete as possible. That way, researchers will easily be able to tell if you’re a good fit for their group. You should also apply for as many as possible to give yourself the best chance of success.

Researchers are just as busy as the rest of us, so they don’t have time to stare at your profile for a while and wonder if you tick all of their boxes. Instead, they’re much more likely to quickly check your details and, if anything is missing or not clear, just skip over you for someone else who’s been more detailed about who they are.

The other tip to get picked for focus groups is simple: you gotta be in it to win it. Simply applying for a paid focus group definitely doesn’t mean you’ll be accepted, so the more you voluneer for, the more likely it is you’ll be selected.

Are focus groups good for making money?

Doing paid focus groups is definitely a great way to make some extra money. The hourly rate is almost unmatched and there’s no question that it’s fun to talk about what you think with a captive audience. However, it isn’t a consistent way to increase your income.

That is, the biggest downside in treating paid focus groups as a side hustle is a lack of consistency in terms of your earnings. It’s almost impossible to guarantee that you’ll qualify for participating in one of these groups every week, for example as it’s so dependent on what paid market research is needed – and, in particular, from who.

No matter how great your experience has been in participating in paid focus groups previously, if you’re not in the demographic they’re looking for in a specific session, you’re not going to be able to participate in the next one. This can be pretty frustrating, especially if you’ve had success before doing paid focus groups and making serious money doing this.

This is why I recommend that while paid focus groups are great for making money, treat it just as one of your side hustles, not your main one. That way, you’ll be sure that you have as much money coming in as possible – and if you happen to qualify for a well-paying focus group at any point, then even better!

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Anna is the founder of LogicalDollar and a personal finance expert, having been featured in Forbes, HuffPost, Reader’s Digest, Bankrate, MSN Money, Yahoo! Finance, CreditCards.com and many more. With more than 10 years of experience in the financial and legal industries, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in these fields, as well as her own journey in turning $60,000 in debt into a thriving investment portfolio, she’s committed to helping others get on the path to financial freedom.

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Research

13 Market Research Tools: Best in Class for 2023

13 Market Research Tools: Best in Class for 2023

Most market research tools are designed to make it quicker and easier to find relevant data . Whatever the market, product, or purpose, the right research tools can do just that.

But, let’s be honest, some do it far better than others.

Whether you’re an enterprise firm with complex needs and a budget to suit or a smaller business needing free market research tools, read on to discover which online tools for market research are hot right now.

Note: The top market research tools list has been collated using review platforms like G2 , along with direct feedback I collected from over 500 business leaders in June, 2o22.

#1 Best overall market research tool: Similarweb Digital Research Intelligence

Most-loved feature: The Benchmarking tool

We might be a little biased, but this really is the fastest way to see how you measure up against competitors in any sector or location. Analyze market leaders and rising stars to unpack and track their digital success instantly.

Best market research tool for online intelligence

Quick Explainer

Similarweb Research Intelligence is a single source of truth for the online world. Giving any business the ability to quickly analyze the online aspects of any industry or market in an instant. It displays critical insights in a way that makes it easy to view trends, competitive performance, audience insights, growth opportunities, and more. It’s the only market research analysis tool that brings together data from desktop, mobile web, and apps to provide a complete view of the digital landscape.

Key abilities

  • Competitive benchmarking
  • Market research
  • Company research tool
  • Audience analysis
  • Consumer journey tracker
  • Mobile app intelligence

Freemium Version: Yes, there is a lite version of the product that provides limited data for a single user, and a single location.

Free Trial: Yes, there’s a 7-day trial available. Try it out here .

Ongoing Subscription: Yes, you can pay monthly or annually for a subscription. Different levels are available, and each package is tailored. Review pricing and plans for Similarweb here.

Like what you’ve seen so far?

See our market-leading digital research tool in action in this quick 2-minute clip.

#2 Best free market research tool: Think with Google

Most-loved feature: Find my Audience

A way to discover new audiences on YouTube based on things like habits, interests, and intended plans to purchase.

think with google market research tool

Think with Google is a suite of digital research tools that curate resources from a huge pool of data across the web. It presents them as insights that aren’t typically available elsewhere. It’s a unique way to view trends, insights, and stats. Data isn’t offered in real-time but serves more as a library of figures and facts that take the form of articles, videos, interviews, case studies, and more. In addition to being a place people can go for forward-looking perspectives and data, there are several tools designed to help marketers.

Key functions

  • High-level insights into most local or national markets
  • Behind the scenes look at cross-platform digital campaigns
  • Consumer insights
  • Deck-ready stats (not in real-time)
  • A range of tools to inform marketing objectives and actions

Freemium Version: The entire suite of market intelligence tools is free.

Free Trial: As a free market research tool, no trial is needed.

Ongoing Subscription: You can subscribe to a newsletter, but not the product.

#3 Best digital research tool for content and FAQ development: Answer the Public

Most-loved feature: Search listening alerts

A pro feature that sends you weekly emails that indicate how search behaviors shift over time. It takes the specific phrase or keywords you’re tracking in the platform and updates you weekly.

digital research tool for content

Quick Explainer 

Discover the questions people are asking online about key terms, products, or services. It’s designed to help content teams and website owners develop new content ideas, and relevant FAQs that are based on the types of queries people ask online.

  • Track important keywords and phrases
  • Get weekly emails about changes in search behavior
  • Enter any keyword to uncover relevant questions or search terms
  • Folders to help organize your research

Freemium Version: Yes. You get a limited number (3) of searches per day.

Free Trial: No.

Ongoing Subscription: Yes. You can pay monthly or annually for this service. Pay-monthly fees are a flat rate of $99. Discounts are offered for yearly subscriptions.

#4 Best tool for market research surveys: SurveyMonkey

Most-loved feature: Question bank

A library of hundreds of questions, pre-written by survey methodologists.

market research tool for surveys

As far as market research surveys go, it’s the leading online research tool for surveys worldwide. With plans to suit the individual through to the enterprise, it’s a feature-rich, easy-to-use platform that encompasses creation, collection, and analysis under one roof. Surveys are optimized for any device and integrate with platforms like Zoom, Salesforce, Marketo, and more.

Key functions 

  • Create and send unlimited surveys, quizzes, and polls
  • Pop-up online surveys
  • Mobile app access to create, send and analyze surveys on-the-go
  • Team collaboration function (unlocked with a team plan)
  • Survey builder
  • Customization and branded surveys (available with advantage or premier plans only)

Freemium Version: Yes

Free Trial: Occasionally, free trials are offered for premium plans.

Ongoing Subscription: Yes, you can pay annually or monthly. There are three different plans to choose from, ranging from $25 to $129 per month.

Helpful: Check out our blog and see 18 different ways to use market research surveys .

#5 Best online research tool for marketplaces: Similarweb Shopper Intelligence

Most-loved feature: Cross-shopping analysis

Cross-shopping analysis shows you how loyal a segment of customers is to a brand, along with what other brands they browsed or bought from. Uncover competitors and discover new partnership opportunities; these are game-changing insights if you sell on any marketplace.

Similarweb shopper intelligence platform

Similarweb Shopper Intelligence is a type of online market research tool that helps you uncover and analyze browsing and buying behavior across marketplaces. Using its data, businesses can track category, product, and brand performance with ease. It helps ecommerce organizations to detect potential threats, unearth new product or category opportunities, discover new potential partnerships, and optimize search strategy and performance.

  • Monitor consumer demand for any product, brand, or category
  • Retail search strategy optimization
  • Consumer behavior insights
  • Track cross-shopping, loyalty, and purchase frequency
  • Analyze brand awareness

Note: This solution uses a unique data methodology via multiple networks and partnerships. At the time of writing, there is no other consumer behavior insights tool for market research that offers this quality of data for marketplaces.

Freemium Version: No.

Free Trial: Yes. There is usually a 7-day trial available here .

Ongoing Subscription: The price is determined by things like the number of categories and/or domains you want to access. Each quote is customized to a client’s specific needs.

Want to know a little more?

Watch this quick clip to see the best ecommerce digital market research tool in action.

#6 Best market research tool for brand tracking: Latana

Most-loved feature: MoE (margin of error) Readings

To deliver transparency on data confidence levels, Latana’s dashboard includes a feature that allows clients to toggle-on, or toggle-off, margin of error (MoE) readings on all data points. These are highlighted using a traffic-light system of confidence (red=low confidence, orange=medium confidence, and green=high confidence). This small feature makes a big impact — it helps clients to correctly interpret the data and to visibly see quality shortcomings.

Latana research tool for brand monitoring

Latana is a B2C brand tracking tool that provides granular insights about online audiences. It helps organizations understand how key segments of consumers feel about brands and portrays relevant standings vs. industry rivals.

  • Focus on niche consumer segments that matter to your business
  • Uncover rival’s audience data and identify opportunities to grow
  • Understand brand perception, and track how it changes over time
  • Discover the most well-known brands in your industry
  • Track rival’s brand awareness across gender, age income, location, and education
  • Find out the main purchase drivers for your industry
  • Infrastructure gives reach to over 6 billion smartphone users globally for representative brand opinions

I caught up with Latana’s CMO, Angeley Mullens. Here’s what she has to say about their offering.

Angeley Mullins Quote

Ongoing Subscription: Pricing for Latana isn’t available online. All packages are tailored to individual brands and their specific needs.

Enjoy 360 Visibility 24/7

Get the data you need to adapt to market changes and industry trends in an instant.

#7  Best research tool for social media listening: Hootsuite

Most-loved feature: Multi-channel insights

It’s a legacy feature, but one which makes it the best online research tool for social listening and monitoring. Having the ability to easily schedule posts, ad campaigns, and handle responses for every social media channel from within a single platform is what makes this a market-leading digital research tool.

hootsuite digital research tool for

Hootsuite continues to claim the number 1 spot on G2’s list of digital research tools for social media monitoring . It’s a tool to help you manage all aspects of business social media, across multiple channels, in a single platform. As well as being able to manage your socials, it also keeps you up-to-date with the latest trends and activities of your rival’s social media channels.

  • Publish and schedule social media posts
  • Measure cross-platform results
  • Message management
  • Social media trend analysis
  • Social media ad-campaign management

Freemium Version: Yes. You can get a free version that supports 2 social accounts and 1 user.

Free Trial: Yes. A 30-day free trial is available here .

Ongoing Subscription: There are four plans; professional, team, business, and enterprise; ranging from $49-$739.

#8 Best digital research tool for prospecting: Similarweb Sales Intelligence

Most-loved feature: Insights generator tool

The insights generator shows you unique facts for your prospects and accounts; with complete visibility into their digital strategy and performance. It’s ideal for refining sales and marketing efforts while staying focused on growth.

online market research tool for prospecting

Similarweb Sales Intelligence helps organizations find viable prospects by showing you who to reach out to, when to do it, and how to capture their attention. The lead generator tool helps you find the right prospects, and key insights help create engaging outreach emails. For sales departments, ecommerce and mar-tech sectors, this type of digital research tool can take prospecting and engagement to a completely new level; along with revenue and growth.

Key functions: 

  • Lead generation and enrichment
  • Digital insights for 100M+ ecommerce websites, publishers, and advertisers
  • Fraud detection
  • Sales engagement
  • SFDC integration

Free Trial: Yes, if you would like a free trial, please request that here.

Ongoing Subscription: Prices for this digital market research tool varies depending on the package and options chosen. Grab a live demo of the product and get a tailored quote here .

Insightful : If you’re looking at market research tools for the ecommerce industry, bookmark our Ecommerce Trends and Predictions for 2023 to read later.

#9 Best market research analysis tool for data visualization: Tableau

Most-loved feature : Connects to almost any data source

tableau digital market research tool

As a clear market leader, and a no-brainer for larger organizations with business intelligence analytics and teams. Tableau leads the way in online research tools for data visualization. It connects to a huge range of data sources and pulls information into a highly-appealing dashboard that is designed to make it easier and faster to explore and manage data . It takes data from platforms like Similarweb, then combines it with other data sources before presenting crisp, clear, insights that have the power to shape strategies and drive key transformations.

  • Lightning-fast analytics
  • Smart dashboards for richer insights
  • Live connection to almost any data source, with automatic updates
  • Drag-and-drop style UI: easy to use

Freemium Version: No. However, students and teachers get a year’s free access to the platform.

Free Trial: Yes. You can subscribe to a free 30-day trial.

Ongoing Subscription: Most plans are offered annually, with prices ranging from $15 per month upwards. The price depends on whether you use their hosted or on-premise versions, the number of users, and the inclusion of specific plugins.

#10 Best market research tool for UX testing: Loop11

Most-loved feature: Online usability testing

This feature analyzes the usability of a website with users performing live tasks on a site. It helps you understand user behavior, and shows how and why a website is used.

Loop11 market research tool for for UX testing

Loop11 is a market research tool that provides usability testing to help organizations build better websites and products. It comes with a pack of useful features that provide both moderated and unmoderated testing, helping businesses to find the right audience to test prototypes and products. It’s designed to help you see how appealing a product is to a particular audience, determine their preferences, then build these insights into a design.

  • Ability to test across multiple devices, including tablet, mobile, or desktop
  • User-friendly test builder that requires no coding
  • Easy-to-add surveys that collect psychographic and demographic data
  • Provides useful metrics like time on task, task completion rates, and NPS
  • Mapping of customer journeys during a test period

Free Trial: Yes, a 14-day trial is available here .

Ongoing Subscription: All plans come with the option to pay monthly or annually. Prices range from $199-$599 per month.

#11 Best research tool for measuring customer experience: Temper

Most-loved feature: Rating stream

See real-time feedback as customers respond to questions via website or email channels. The stream provides a detailed view of ratings, comments, locations, referrers, email addresses, and more.

Temper market research tool for customer satisfaction

Temper allows any company to find out how customers feel about their product at all times. It directly provides first-party data to a business, preventing the need to design and distribute complex surveys. It can be placed as a widget on the site or in emails, and questions are asked to gain real-time feedback from visitors and customers alike.

  • Easily deploy questions across website and email channels
  • Quickly spot poor experiences to identify problematic areas of a business or product
  • The rating graph gives you a real-time view of results for any question asked
  • Public rating wall shows how you’re performing, instilling confidence and trust
  • Ratings come with open text fields to give additional context to responses
  • Referrer data gives you the ability to segment feedback and relative performance
  • Tracking variables let you send data with ratings, such as order numbers, user IDs, etc.
  • User targeting lets you determine who sees questions and how often they see them

Freemium Version: There is no freemium version. However, their hobby plan gives you a slimmed-down version of the product and costs $12 per month.

Ongoing Subscription: Four plans are available, ranging from hobbyist to enterprise. The lowest pricing tier starts at $12 monthly, and their top-tier solution costs $199 monthly. All plans are pay-monthly, with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

#12 Best online market research tool for focus groups: Remesh

Most-loved feature: Common topics

In just a few clicks, you can view the themes and topics that are most common with your focus group across an entire session. It groups similar responses, specific phrases, and interesting responses in seconds.

Remesh qualitative market research tool

Remesh facilitates live, qualitative conversations with focus groups of up to 1000 people at a time. Replicating the focus group format online delivers powerful segmentation and dynamic capabilities that speed up your time to insight and let you hold a real-time conversation at scale.

  • Launch a live conversation with up to 1000 people at a time
  • Organize and analyze responses in an instant
  • Segment your audience based on demographic and response data
  • Share visuals and text-based content with the group to get instant feedback
  • The algorithm analyzes open-ended responses in real-time

Freemium Version: No

Free Trial: Yes. However, you must first book a demo with a member of their team.

Ongoing Subscription: Remesh provides custom pricing plans that can only be obtained once you’ve taken a demonstration of their platform with a member of their team.

#13 Top collaboration and documentation tool for market research: BIT.AI

Most-loved feature: Content library + smart search

While it sounds quite basic; in essence, this tool for market research professionals makes it quicker and easier to keep track, share, and store key data. Forget trawling through emails, slack, and g-docs to find files; the smart search feature helps you locate files in an instant.

bit.ai market research tool for collaboration

A dynamic platform that helps researchers collaborate, track, share, and manage research data in a single place. This is one of the best online market research tools for those who need a place to bring together resources like websites, PDFs, articles, images, infographics, blogs, reports, videos, etc. it’s low-cost and connects to some of the most widely used tools. Being able to share multidimensional data with others, or simply keeping track of secondary market research in a single place makes it a firm favorite.

  • Over 100 integrations with applications like Tableau, Miro, G-docs, Onedrive, and more
  • Real-time editing and live collaboration
  • Content Library
  • Smart search
  • Supports a huge range of content and file types

Freemium Version: Yes. Available for teams of up to 5 collaborators.

Free Trial: Yes, a free trial is available here .

Ongoing Subscription: A range of packages are available, costing between $8-$20 monthly.

Best market research tools for startups

There is another often-forgotten set of tools used for market research that are ideal for startups. If you’ve got zero budget and a little time on your hands, you can do most types of desk research for free. Sources include:

  • Company reports, case studies, and whitepapers
  • Research and trade associations
  • Media coverage
  • Internal sales or usage reports
  • Academic or scientific journals
  • Government and non-government agencies
  • Public library records
  • Competitor websites
  • Educational institutions

Helpful: Check out this article about how to do market research for a startup .

Wrapping up….

With cost and time key considerations for anyone looking at tools for market research, it’s vital to choose wisely. While free market research tools are all good and well, they won’t always serve you when you’re on a deadline or require key insights on a specific competitor, market, or product.

Similarweb helps companies win in the digital world. Whatever the market, goal, or business size, its solutions are designed to help organizations understand their market and compete and beat rivals.

Take it for a test run today. Trial any Similarweb solution free for the first 7-days using this link .

Need to know more about the ROI of Similarweb? 

What are the best market research tools for secondary research?

The internet is probably the best tool for market research there is. It’s a goldmine of secondary market research data. But beware of data validity and check your information is coming from a trusted source.

What are the best market research tools for surveys?

Survey monkey is considered the best online market research tool for surveys, but key players like Typeform and Zoho follow closely behind. Budget and features usually determine the right tool for your needs.

What are the best free market research tools?

The best free tools for market research include: Answer the Public, Think with Google, Similarweb lite, SurveyMonkey’s basic plan, and Hootsuite’s free plan.

What are the best market research tools for qualitative research?

Qualitative research includes things like focus groups, open-ended surveys, case studies, and observation research. As such, the best tool for online research like this would be something like BIT.ai’s documentation and collaboration tool. Another useful tool for qualitative market research would be an online survey provider, like SurveyMonkey, Typeform, or Google Forms.

What are the best market research tools for quantitative research?

As this type of research is focused more on numbers, the best quantitative market research tools include things like Similarweb Digital Research Intelligence and Tableau. Each performs a different function but works together to collect, analyze, and present data in the most useful way possible.

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Wondering what similarweb can do for your business.

Give it a try or talk to our insights team — don’t worry, it’s free!

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Aha - Online qualitative consumer research software and services

The Strategic Activity-Based Market Research Platform Activities. AI Analytics. Advice. 

At aha insights technology , we work with insights people every day who are faced with pressure on budgets, time, and performance while also being expected to find new approaches that deliver breakthrough insights. We get it. We designed our activity-based, online market research platform to overcome these challenges so you can find your brand’s aha moments in a time-tested, agile way.

We do this by helping you customize our unique combination of activities, analytics, and strategic advice . You can easily deploy qualitative, quantitative, and hybrid research studies to engage people where they live, work, shop, and play.

You and your team can use our suite of qual and quant tools to design asynchronous mobile and video-friendly digital ethnographies, live online focus groups and IDIs, concept tests, home use tests, custom communities, multi-market global studies, and much more. You’ll see why aha is the most comprehensive, advanced, and easiest-to-use ResTech solution in the marketplace.

Let’s discover something amazing together.

How to use aha insights technology

Using our comprehensive and flexible projective, social, video, and mobile tools, the aha platform allows insight teams and market researchers to design amazing qualitative or qual/quant consumer and B2B online studies. Here are just a few examples of what you can do with aha .

Digital Ethnography

QuickSprint ® & Consumer Pulse Studies

Quant & Hybrid Studies

TruRotation ® Ad/Concept Testing

Home Use Tests

Journaling & Usage Diaries

aha logo

Online Focus Groups & IDIs

Consumer Experience Insights (CX)

Mobile Missions/Store Trips

Longitudinal Community Studies

Multi-Market Global Studies 

Innovation & Product Development

Dynamic activities & tools for market research

Our comprehensive and flexible projective, social, live webcam video and mobile tools give you multiple options for designing digital ethnographies, concept testing, QuickSprints ® , home use testing, CX journey mapping and product usage diaries.

  • Live Conversations™

Dynamic Canvas ®

  • AI Analytics
  • Quant/Hybrid
  • Concept Testing

Live Conversations™ Online Focus Groups & IDIs

aha  insights technology now offers live webcam and mobile conversations via the first-ever integration of Zoom’s cloud-based platform for video, voice, content sharing, and chat technology. This partnership with Zoom gives market researchers and corporations the ability to conduct live conversations with respondents to gain a deeper understanding of the emotional thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that drive buying decisions and product usage.

schedule demo more features

aha’s  multi-faceted Dynamic Canvas ® tool allows researchers to create custom visual exercises using flexible text fields, image upload zones, stimulus manipulation, and markup tools for perceptual and brand mapping, concept testing, and buyer journey decisions/path-to-purchase. This unique combination of tools gives researchers the freedom to create a myriad of approaches to virtually any qualitative task. You are only limited to your imagination.

aha intelligence TM (ai) analytics tool

As part of the aha insight technology platform , our new generative artificial intelligence-based analytics tool, enables market researchers and brand insights teams to more efficiently analyze unstructured market research data to quickly identify your brand’s aha moments.

aha intelligence (ai) gives analysts the ability to:

  • Automatically summarize large qualitative datasets
  • Instantly apply summary sentiment analysis
  • Identify connected and unconnected data points leading to breakthrough insights
  • Provide supporting examples to your key insights without having to search manually
  • Inspire transformational reports

ahaQuant™ with QualtricsXM ® {aha Pro Feature}

Driven by client demand for hybrid approaches, aha has partnered with Qualtrics ® , the powerful enterprise-level XM platform, to create an integrated suite of strategic qual/quant activities and tools. This integration gives aha clients the ability to conduct more sophisticated quant/qual hybrid studies, adding innovative survey methods including Conjoint and MaxDiff, and the accompanying analytics, to aha’s  comprehensive qualitative activities. This enables more complex in-depth consumer and B2B research studies, all available on one intuitive platform. Quant-only studies can be executed, as well.

The partnership gives aha clients access to the power of Qualtrics on a project basis along with aha ’s best-in-class programming, project management, study design services and analytics..

The aha TruRotation ® ad/concept testing feature allows you to share your concepts and ideas with respondents in any format including video and print ads, animatics, words on a page, logos, or other stimuli. This proprietary feature uses an algorithm to rotate ideas equally over multiple days and includes access to our concept mark-up tools as well. TruRotation ® is also quant-capable.

Projective Techniques

From the intuitive collage tool to our unique storytelling and fill-in-the-blank activities, aha’s  proprietary suite of projective techniques allow market researchers to elicit emotive responses from respondents in more engaging ways and reveal a deeper insight into how respondents think, feel, and act.

Video Capture

Times have changed dramatically in the respondent video upload arena.  aha has eliminated multiple steps in the video capture and upload process, making mobile apps obsolete. Our video upload technology has made the video-to-platform sharing process smoother, faster, and easier for respondents. Plus, we have automated transcripts that accompany the video within 2 minutes of the upload, making your analysis much more efficient.

Mobile Activites

Our mobile-friendly activities enable respondents to spontaneously provide information as it occurs —anytime, anywhere — while giving you the ability to capture real, in-the-moment experiences. It is ideal for getting video and images as well as open-and-closed end responses from respondents in-store, at home, or on-the-go.

Social Newsfeed

We are proponents of strategic sharing and collaboration between respondents.  Our 3 tools (Pinboard, Wishing Wall and Newsfeed) mimic commonly used social media functionality to give your community a fun place to share, like and comment on each other’s thoughts and ideas. These tools are great for getting respondents to engage with one another, eliciting feedback on specific topics or energizing an innovation initiative.

Clients & brands

CLOROX

Online market research services: platform + people

Our experienced aha engagement team provides study design, project management, recruiting and analytic consulting, plus hands-on training and tech support. You can do it yourself, or we can do it all for you.

Project management & optimization

Comprehensive management of every aspect of an online qual market research study including programing, on-boarding, platform training and data management support.

Study design

Expert study guide design and development including collaborative writing of the discussion guide and activity/technique recommendations for higher online qual engagement.

Online research recruiting

Experienced online qual recruiting for B2C and B2B market research studies including selection and management of recruiters, field management and respondent on-boarding.

Moderating & reporting

If you need consulting services we can match you with one of our seasoned clients who are highly skilled in our asynchronous and live formats, qual and/or quant. .

10 years of collaborative innovation 

aha 2013-2023 Timeline - 10 Years of Continuous Evolution

Got a project or need a demo? Let’s connect.

If you need a bid on a project, please send us the details and we will get back to you quickly. The key things we need are project name/description, # of respondent’s, # days of activity, and time commit by respondents per day.

If you need a recruiting bid, please provide detailed specs. Thank you!

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aha intelligence™ (ai) new analytics & reporting capabilities

Aha AI for Market Research

aha intelligence  gives analysts the tools to:

  • Provide supporting examples of your key insights without having to search manually
  • Inspire and create transformational reports

Find the right market research agencies, suppliers, platforms, and facilities by exploring the services and solutions that best match your needs

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How to Do Market Research: The Complete Guide

Learn how to do market research with this step-by-step guide, complete with templates, tools and real-world examples.

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What are your customers’ needs? How does your product compare to the competition? What are the emerging trends and opportunities in your industry? If these questions keep you up at night, it’s time to conduct market research.

Market research plays a pivotal role in your ability to stay competitive and relevant, helping you anticipate shifts in consumer behavior and industry dynamics. It involves gathering these insights using a wide range of techniques, from surveys and interviews to data analysis and observational studies.

In this guide, we’ll explore why market research is crucial, the various types of market research, the methods used in data collection, and how to effectively conduct market research to drive informed decision-making and success.

What is market research?

Market research is the systematic process of gathering, analyzing and interpreting information about a specific market or industry. The purpose of market research is to offer valuable insight into the preferences and behaviors of your target audience, and anticipate shifts in market trends and the competitive landscape. This information helps you make data-driven decisions, develop effective strategies for your business, and maximize your chances of long-term growth.

Business intelligence insight graphic with hand showing a lightbulb with $ sign in it

Why is market research important? 

By understanding the significance of market research, you can make sure you’re asking the right questions and using the process to your advantage. Some of the benefits of market research include:

  • Informed decision-making: Market research provides you with the data and insights you need to make smart decisions for your business. It helps you identify opportunities, assess risks and tailor your strategies to meet the demands of the market. Without market research, decisions are often based on assumptions or guesswork, leading to costly mistakes.
  • Customer-centric approach: A cornerstone of market research involves developing a deep understanding of customer needs and preferences. This gives you valuable insights into your target audience, helping you develop products, services and marketing campaigns that resonate with your customers.
  • Competitive advantage: By conducting market research, you’ll gain a competitive edge. You’ll be able to identify gaps in the market, analyze competitor strengths and weaknesses, and position your business strategically. This enables you to create unique value propositions, differentiate yourself from competitors, and seize opportunities that others may overlook.
  • Risk mitigation: Market research helps you anticipate market shifts and potential challenges. By identifying threats early, you can proactively adjust their strategies to mitigate risks and respond effectively to changing circumstances. This proactive approach is particularly valuable in volatile industries.
  • Resource optimization: Conducting market research allows organizations to allocate their time, money and resources more efficiently. It ensures that investments are made in areas with the highest potential return on investment, reducing wasted resources and improving overall business performance.
  • Adaptation to market trends: Markets evolve rapidly, driven by technological advancements, cultural shifts and changing consumer attitudes. Market research ensures that you stay ahead of these trends and adapt your offerings accordingly so you can avoid becoming obsolete. 

As you can see, market research empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions, cater to customer needs, outperform competitors, mitigate risks, optimize resources and stay agile in a dynamic marketplace. These benefits make it a huge industry; the global market research services market is expected to grow from $76.37 billion in 2021 to $108.57 billion in 2026 . Now, let’s dig into the different types of market research that can help you achieve these benefits.

Types of market research 

  • Qualitative research
  • Quantitative research
  • Exploratory research
  • Descriptive research
  • Causal research
  • Cross-sectional research
  • Longitudinal research

Despite its advantages, 23% of organizations don’t have a clear market research strategy. Part of developing a strategy involves choosing the right type of market research for your business goals. The most commonly used approaches include:

1. Qualitative research

Qualitative research focuses on understanding the underlying motivations, attitudes and perceptions of individuals or groups. It is typically conducted through techniques like in-depth interviews, focus groups and content analysis — methods we’ll discuss further in the sections below. Qualitative research provides rich, nuanced insights that can inform product development, marketing strategies and brand positioning.

2. Quantitative research

Quantitative research, in contrast to qualitative research, involves the collection and analysis of numerical data, often through surveys, experiments and structured questionnaires. This approach allows for statistical analysis and the measurement of trends, making it suitable for large-scale market studies and hypothesis testing. While it’s worthwhile using a mix of qualitative and quantitative research, most businesses prioritize the latter because it is scientific, measurable and easily replicated across different experiments.

3. Exploratory research

Whether you’re conducting qualitative or quantitative research or a mix of both, exploratory research is often the first step. Its primary goal is to help you understand a market or problem so you can gain insights and identify potential issues or opportunities. This type of market research is less structured and is typically conducted through open-ended interviews, focus groups or secondary data analysis. Exploratory research is valuable when entering new markets or exploring new product ideas.

4. Descriptive research

As its name implies, descriptive research seeks to describe a market, population or phenomenon in detail. It involves collecting and summarizing data to answer questions about audience demographics and behaviors, market size, and current trends. Surveys, observational studies and content analysis are common methods used in descriptive research. 

5. Causal research

Causal research aims to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables. It investigates whether changes in one variable result in changes in another. Experimental designs, A/B testing and regression analysis are common causal research methods. This sheds light on how specific marketing strategies or product changes impact consumer behavior.

6. Cross-sectional research

Cross-sectional market research involves collecting data from a sample of the population at a single point in time. It is used to analyze differences, relationships or trends among various groups within a population. Cross-sectional studies are helpful for market segmentation, identifying target audiences and assessing market trends at a specific moment.

7. Longitudinal research

Longitudinal research, in contrast to cross-sectional research, collects data from the same subjects over an extended period. This allows for the analysis of trends, changes and developments over time. Longitudinal studies are useful for tracking long-term developments in consumer preferences, brand loyalty and market dynamics.

Each type of market research has its strengths and weaknesses, and the method you choose depends on your specific research goals and the depth of understanding you’re aiming to achieve. In the following sections, we’ll delve into primary and secondary research approaches and specific research methods.

Primary vs. secondary market research

Market research of all types can be broadly categorized into two main approaches: primary research and secondary research. By understanding the differences between these approaches, you can better determine the most appropriate research method for your specific goals.

Primary market research 

Primary research involves the collection of original data straight from the source. Typically, this involves communicating directly with your target audience — through surveys, interviews, focus groups and more — to gather information. Here are some key attributes of primary market research:

  • Customized data: Primary research provides data that is tailored to your research needs. You design a custom research study and gather information specific to your goals.
  • Up-to-date insights: Because primary research involves communicating with customers, the data you collect reflects the most current market conditions and consumer behaviors.
  • Time-consuming and resource-intensive: Despite its advantages, primary research can be labor-intensive and costly, especially when dealing with large sample sizes or complex study designs. Whether you hire a market research consultant, agency or use an in-house team, primary research studies consume a large amount of resources and time.

Secondary market research 

Secondary research, on the other hand, involves analyzing data that has already been compiled by third-party sources, such as online research tools, databases, news sites, industry reports and academic studies.

Build your project graphic

Here are the main characteristics of secondary market research:

  • Cost-effective: Secondary research is generally more cost-effective than primary research since it doesn’t require building a research plan from scratch. You and your team can look at databases, websites and publications on an ongoing basis, without needing to design a custom experiment or hire a consultant. 
  • Leverages multiple sources: Data tools and software extract data from multiple places across the web, and then consolidate that information within a single platform. This means you’ll get a greater amount of data and a wider scope from secondary research.
  • Quick to access: You can access a wide range of information rapidly — often in seconds — if you’re using online research tools and databases. Because of this, you can act on insights sooner, rather than taking the time to develop an experiment. 

So, when should you use primary vs. secondary research? In practice, many market research projects incorporate both primary and secondary research to take advantage of the strengths of each approach.

One rule of thumb is to focus on secondary research to obtain background information, market trends or industry benchmarks. It is especially valuable for conducting preliminary research, competitor analysis, or when time and budget constraints are tight. Then, if you still have knowledge gaps or need to answer specific questions unique to your business model, use primary research to create a custom experiment. 

Market research methods

  • Surveys and questionnaires
  • Focus groups
  • Observational research
  • Online research tools
  • Experiments
  • Content analysis
  • Ethnographic research

How do primary and secondary research approaches translate into specific research methods? Let’s take a look at the different ways you can gather data: 

1. Surveys and questionnaires

Surveys and questionnaires are popular methods for collecting structured data from a large number of respondents. They involve a set of predetermined questions that participants answer. Surveys can be conducted through various channels, including online tools, telephone interviews and in-person or online questionnaires. They are useful for gathering quantitative data and assessing customer demographics, opinions, preferences and needs. On average, customer surveys have a 33% response rate , so keep that in mind as you consider your sample size.

2. Interviews

Interviews are in-depth conversations with individuals or groups to gather qualitative insights. They can be structured (with predefined questions) or unstructured (with open-ended discussions). Interviews are valuable for exploring complex topics, uncovering motivations and obtaining detailed feedback. 

3. Focus groups

The most common primary research methods are in-depth webcam interviews and focus groups. Focus groups are a small gathering of participants who discuss a specific topic or product under the guidance of a moderator. These discussions are valuable for primary market research because they reveal insights into consumer attitudes, perceptions and emotions. Focus groups are especially useful for idea generation, concept testing and understanding group dynamics within your target audience.

4. Observational research

Observational research involves observing and recording participant behavior in a natural setting. This method is particularly valuable when studying consumer behavior in physical spaces, such as retail stores or public places. In some types of observational research, participants are aware you’re watching them; in other cases, you discreetly watch consumers without their knowledge, as they use your product. Either way, observational research provides firsthand insights into how people interact with products or environments.

5. Online research tools

You and your team can do your own secondary market research using online tools. These tools include data prospecting platforms and databases, as well as online surveys, social media listening, web analytics and sentiment analysis platforms. They help you gather data from online sources, monitor industry trends, track competitors, understand consumer preferences and keep tabs on online behavior. We’ll talk more about choosing the right market research tools in the sections that follow.

6. Experiments

Market research experiments are controlled tests of variables to determine causal relationships. While experiments are often associated with scientific research, they are also used in market research to assess the impact of specific marketing strategies, product features, or pricing and packaging changes.

7. Content analysis

Content analysis involves the systematic examination of textual, visual or audio content to identify patterns, themes and trends. It’s commonly applied to customer reviews, social media posts and other forms of online content to analyze consumer opinions and sentiments.

8. Ethnographic research

Ethnographic research immerses researchers into the daily lives of consumers to understand their behavior and culture. This method is particularly valuable when studying niche markets or exploring the cultural context of consumer choices.

How to do market research

  • Set clear objectives
  • Identify your target audience
  • Choose your research methods
  • Use the right market research tools
  • Collect data
  • Analyze data 
  • Interpret your findings
  • Identify opportunities and challenges
  • Make informed business decisions
  • Monitor and adapt

Now that you have gained insights into the various market research methods at your disposal, let’s delve into the practical aspects of how to conduct market research effectively. Here’s a quick step-by-step overview, from defining objectives to monitoring market shifts.

1. Set clear objectives

When you set clear and specific goals, you’re essentially creating a compass to guide your research questions and methodology. Start by precisely defining what you want to achieve. Are you launching a new product and want to understand its viability in the market? Are you evaluating customer satisfaction with a product redesign? 

Start by creating SMART goals — objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Not only will this clarify your research focus from the outset, but it will also help you track progress and benchmark your success throughout the process. 

You should also consult with key stakeholders and team members to ensure alignment on your research objectives before diving into data collecting. This will help you gain diverse perspectives and insights that will shape your research approach.

2. Identify your target audience

Next, you’ll need to pinpoint your target audience to determine who should be included in your research. Begin by creating detailed buyer personas or stakeholder profiles. Consider demographic factors like age, gender, income and location, but also delve into psychographics, such as interests, values and pain points.

The more specific your target audience, the more accurate and actionable your research will be. Additionally, segment your audience if your research objectives involve studying different groups, such as current customers and potential leads.

If you already have existing customers, you can also hold conversations with them to better understand your target market. From there, you can refine your buyer personas and tailor your research methods accordingly.

3. Choose your research methods

Selecting the right research methods is crucial for gathering high-quality data. Start by considering the nature of your research objectives. If you’re exploring consumer preferences, surveys and interviews can provide valuable insights. For in-depth understanding, focus groups or observational research might be suitable. Consider using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a well-rounded perspective. 

You’ll also need to consider your budget. Think about what you can realistically achieve using the time and resources available to you. If you have a fairly generous budget, you may want to try a mix of primary and secondary research approaches. If you’re doing market research for a startup , on the other hand, chances are your budget is somewhat limited. If that’s the case, try addressing your goals with secondary research tools before investing time and effort in a primary research study. 

4. Use the right market research tools

Whether you’re conducting primary or secondary research, you’ll need to choose the right tools. These can help you do anything from sending surveys to customers to monitoring trends and analyzing data. Here are some examples of popular market research tools:

  • Market research software: Crunchbase is a platform that provides best-in-class company data, making it valuable for market research on growing companies and industries. You can use Crunchbase to access trusted, first-party funding data, revenue data, news and firmographics, enabling you to monitor industry trends and understand customer needs.

Market Research Graphic Crunchbase

  • Survey and questionnaire tools: SurveyMonkey is a widely used online survey platform that allows you to create, distribute and analyze surveys. Google Forms is a free tool that lets you create surveys and collect responses through Google Drive.
  • Data analysis software: Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets are useful for conducting statistical analyses. SPSS is a powerful statistical analysis software used for data processing, analysis and reporting.
  • Social listening tools: Brandwatch is a social listening and analytics platform that helps you monitor social media conversations, track sentiment and analyze trends. Mention is a media monitoring tool that allows you to track mentions of your brand, competitors and keywords across various online sources.
  • Data visualization platforms: Tableau is a data visualization tool that helps you create interactive and shareable dashboards and reports. Power BI by Microsoft is a business analytics tool for creating interactive visualizations and reports.

5. Collect data

There’s an infinite amount of data you could be collecting using these tools, so you’ll need to be intentional about going after the data that aligns with your research goals. Implement your chosen research methods, whether it’s distributing surveys, conducting interviews or pulling from secondary research platforms. Pay close attention to data quality and accuracy, and stick to a standardized process to streamline data capture and reduce errors. 

6. Analyze data

Once data is collected, you’ll need to analyze it systematically. Use statistical software or analysis tools to identify patterns, trends and correlations. For qualitative data, employ thematic analysis to extract common themes and insights. Visualize your findings with charts, graphs and tables to make complex data more understandable.

If you’re not proficient in data analysis, consider outsourcing or collaborating with a data analyst who can assist in processing and interpreting your data accurately.

Enrich your database graphic

7. Interpret your findings

Interpreting your market research findings involves understanding what the data means in the context of your objectives. Are there significant trends that uncover the answers to your initial research questions? Consider the implications of your findings on your business strategy. It’s essential to move beyond raw data and extract actionable insights that inform decision-making.

Hold a cross-functional meeting or workshop with relevant team members to collectively interpret the findings. Different perspectives can lead to more comprehensive insights and innovative solutions.

8. Identify opportunities and challenges

Use your research findings to identify potential growth opportunities and challenges within your market. What segments of your audience are underserved or overlooked? Are there emerging trends you can capitalize on? Conversely, what obstacles or competitors could hinder your progress?

Lay out this information in a clear and organized way by conducting a SWOT analysis, which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Jot down notes for each of these areas to provide a structured overview of gaps and hurdles in the market.

9. Make informed business decisions

Market research is only valuable if it leads to informed decisions for your company. Based on your insights, devise actionable strategies and initiatives that align with your research objectives. Whether it’s refining your product, targeting new customer segments or adjusting pricing, ensure your decisions are rooted in the data.

At this point, it’s also crucial to keep your team aligned and accountable. Create an action plan that outlines specific steps, responsibilities and timelines for implementing the recommendations derived from your research. 

10. Monitor and adapt

Market research isn’t a one-time activity; it’s an ongoing process. Continuously monitor market conditions, customer behaviors and industry trends. Set up mechanisms to collect real-time data and feedback. As you gather new information, be prepared to adapt your strategies and tactics accordingly. Regularly revisiting your research ensures your business remains agile and reflects changing market dynamics and consumer preferences.

Online market research sources

As you go through the steps above, you’ll want to turn to trusted, reputable sources to gather your data. Here’s a list to get you started:

  • Crunchbase: As mentioned above, Crunchbase is an online platform with an extensive dataset, allowing you to access in-depth insights on market trends, consumer behavior and competitive analysis. You can also customize your search options to tailor your research to specific industries, geographic regions or customer personas.

Product Image Advanced Search CRMConnected

  • Academic databases: Academic databases, such as ProQuest and JSTOR , are treasure troves of scholarly research papers, studies and academic journals. They offer in-depth analyses of various subjects, including market trends, consumer preferences and industry-specific insights. Researchers can access a wealth of peer-reviewed publications to gain a deeper understanding of their research topics.
  • Government and NGO databases: Government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and other institutions frequently maintain databases containing valuable economic, demographic and industry-related data. These sources offer credible statistics and reports on a wide range of topics, making them essential for market researchers. Examples include the U.S. Census Bureau , the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Pew Research Center .
  • Industry reports: Industry reports and market studies are comprehensive documents prepared by research firms, industry associations and consulting companies. They provide in-depth insights into specific markets, including market size, trends, competitive analysis and consumer behavior. You can find this information by looking at relevant industry association databases; examples include the American Marketing Association and the National Retail Federation .
  • Social media and online communities: Social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter (X) , forums such as Reddit and Quora , and review platforms such as G2 can provide real-time insights into consumer sentiment, opinions and trends. 

Market research examples

At this point, you have market research tools and data sources — but how do you act on the data you gather? Let’s go over some real-world examples that illustrate the practical application of market research across various industries. These examples showcase how market research can lead to smart decision-making and successful business decisions.

Example 1: Apple’s iPhone launch

Apple ’s iconic iPhone launch in 2007 serves as a prime example of market research driving product innovation in tech. Before the iPhone’s release, Apple conducted extensive market research to understand consumer preferences, pain points and unmet needs in the mobile phone industry. This research led to the development of a touchscreen smartphone with a user-friendly interface, addressing consumer demands for a more intuitive and versatile device. The result was a revolutionary product that disrupted the market and redefined the smartphone industry.

Example 2: McDonald’s global expansion

McDonald’s successful global expansion strategy demonstrates the importance of market research when expanding into new territories. Before entering a new market, McDonald’s conducts thorough research to understand local tastes, preferences and cultural nuances. This research informs menu customization, marketing strategies and store design. For instance, in India, McDonald’s offers a menu tailored to local preferences, including vegetarian options. This market-specific approach has enabled McDonald’s to adapt and thrive in diverse global markets.

Example 3: Organic and sustainable farming

The shift toward organic and sustainable farming practices in the food industry is driven by market research that indicates increased consumer demand for healthier and environmentally friendly food options. As a result, food producers and retailers invest in sustainable sourcing and organic product lines — such as with these sustainable seafood startups — to align with this shift in consumer values. 

The bottom line? Market research has multiple use cases and is a critical practice for any industry. Whether it’s launching groundbreaking products, entering new markets or responding to changing consumer preferences, you can use market research to shape successful strategies and outcomes.

Market research templates

You finally have a strong understanding of how to do market research and apply it in the real world. Before we wrap up, here are some market research templates that you can use as a starting point for your projects:

  • Smartsheet competitive analysis templates : These spreadsheets can serve as a framework for gathering information about the competitive landscape and obtaining valuable lessons to apply to your business strategy.
  • SurveyMonkey product survey template : Customize the questions on this survey based on what you want to learn from your target customers.
  • HubSpot templates : HubSpot offers a wide range of free templates you can use for market research, business planning and more.
  • SCORE templates : SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides templates for business plans, market analysis and financial projections.
  • SBA.gov : The U.S. Small Business Administration offers templates for every aspect of your business, including market research, and is particularly valuable for new startups. 

Strengthen your business with market research

When conducted effectively, market research is like a guiding star. Equipped with the right tools and techniques, you can uncover valuable insights, stay competitive, foster innovation and navigate the complexities of your industry.

Throughout this guide, we’ve discussed the definition of market research, different research methods, and how to conduct it effectively. We’ve also explored various types of market research and shared practical insights and templates for getting started. 

Now, it’s time to start the research process. Trust in data, listen to the market and make informed decisions that guide your company toward lasting success.

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Types of market research: Methods and examples

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Here at GWI we publish a steady stream of blogs, reports, and other resources that dig deep into specific market research topics.

But what about the folks who’d appreciate a more general overview of market research that explains the big picture? Don’t they deserve some love too?

Of course they do. That’s why we’ve created this overview guide focusing on types of market research and examples. With so many market research companies to choose from, having a solid general understanding of how this sector works is essential for any brand or business that wants to pick the right market research partner.

So with that in mind, let’s start at the very beginning and get clear on…

Market research definition

At the risk of stating the slightly obvious, market research is the gathering and analyzing of data on consumers, competitors, distributors, and markets. As such it’s not quite the same as consumer research , but there’s significant overlap.

Market research matters because it can help you take the guesswork out of getting through to audiences. By studying consumers and gathering information on their likes, dislikes, and so on, brands can make evidence-based decisions instead of relying on instinct or experience. 

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What is market research?

Market research is the organized gathering of information about target markets and consumers’ needs and preferences. It’s an important component of business strategy and a major factor in maintaining competitiveness.

If a business wants to know – really know – what sort of products or services consumers want to buy, along with where, when, and how those products and services should be marketed, it just makes sense to ask the prospective audience. 

Without the certainty that market research brings, a business is basically hoping for the best. And while we salute their optimism, that’s not exactly a reliable strategy for success.

What are the types of market research?

Primary research .

Primary research is a type of market research you either conduct yourself or hire someone to do on your behalf.

A classic example of primary research involves going directly to a source – typically customers or prospective customers in your target market – to ask questions and gather information about a product or service. Interviewing methods include in-person, online surveys, phone calls, and focus groups.

The big advantage of primary research is that it’s directly focused on your objectives, so the outcome will be conclusive, detailed insights – particularly into customer views – making it the gold standard.

The disadvantages are it can be time-consuming and potentially costly, plus there’s a risk of survey bias creeping in, in the sense that research samples may not be representative of the wider group.

Secondary research 

Primary market research means you collect the data your business needs, whereas the types of market research known as secondary market research use information that’s already been gathered for other purposes but can still be valuable. Examples include published market studies, white papers, analyst reports, customer emails, and customer surveys/feedback.

For many small businesses with limited budgets, secondary market research is their first choice because it’s easier to acquire and far more affordable than primary research.

Secondary research can still answer specific business questions, but with limitations. The data collected from that audience may not match your targeted audience exactly, resulting in skewed outcomes. 

A big benefit of secondary market research is helping lay the groundwork and get you ready to carry out primary market research by making sure you’re focused on what matters most.

market research groups online

Qualitative research

Qualitative research is one of the two fundamental types of market research. Qualitative research is about people and their opinions. Typically conducted by asking questions either one-on-one or in groups, qualitative research can help you define problems and learn about customers’ opinions, values, and beliefs.

Classic examples of qualitative research are long-answer questions like “Why do you think this product is better than competitive products? Why do you think it’s not?”, or “How would you improve this new service to make it more appealing?”

Because qualitative research generally involves smaller sample sizes than its close cousin quantitative research, it gives you an anecdotal overview of your subject, rather than highly detailed information that can help predict future performance.

Qualitative research is particularly useful if you’re developing a new product, service, website or ad campaign and want to get some feedback before you commit a large budget to it.

Quantitative research

If qualitative research is all about opinions, quantitative research is all about numbers, using math to uncover insights about your audience. 

Typical quantitative research questions are things like, “What’s the market size for this product?” or “How long are visitors staying on this website?”. Clearly the answers to both will be numerical.

Quantitative research usually involves questionnaires. Respondents are asked to complete the survey, which marketers use to understand consumer needs, and create strategies and marketing plans.

Importantly, because quantitative research is math-based, it’s statistically valid, which means you’re in a good position to use it to predict the future direction of your business.

Consumer research 

As its name implies, consumer research gathers information about consumers’ lifestyles, behaviors, needs and preferences, usually in relation to a particular product or service. It can include both quantitative and qualitative studies.

Examples of consumer research in action include finding ways to improve consumer perception of a product, or creating buyer personas and market segments, which help you successfully market your product to different types of customers.

Understanding consumer trends , driven by consumer research, helps businesses understand customer psychology and create detailed purchasing behavior profiles. The result helps brands improve their products and services by making them more customer-centric, increasing customer satisfaction, and boosting bottom line in the process.

Product research 

Product research gives a new product (or indeed service, we don’t judge) its best chance of success, or helps an existing product improve or increase market share.

It’s common sense: by finding out what consumers want and adjusting your offering accordingly, you gain a competitive edge. It can be the difference between a product being a roaring success or an abject failure.

Examples of product research include finding ways to develop goods with a higher value, or identifying exactly where innovation effort should be focused. 

Product research goes hand-in-hand with other strands of market research, helping you make informed decisions about what consumers want, and what you can offer them.

Brand research  

Brand research is the process of gathering feedback from your current, prospective, and even past customers to understand how your brand is perceived by the market.

It covers things like brand awareness, brand perceptions, customer advocacy, advertising effectiveness, purchase channels, audience profiling, and whether or not the brand is a top consideration for consumers.

The result helps take the guesswork out of your messaging and brand strategy. Like all types of market research, it gives marketing leaders the data they need to make better choices based on fact rather than opinion or intuition.

Market research methods 

So far we’ve reviewed various different types of market research, now let’s look at market research methods, in other words the practical ways you can uncover those all-important insights.

Consumer research platform 

A consumer research platform like GWI is a smart way to find on-demand market research insights in seconds.

In a world of fluid markets and changing attitudes, a detailed understanding of your consumers, developed using the right research platform, enables you to stop guessing and start knowing.

As well as providing certainty, consumer research platforms massively accelerate speed to insight. Got a question? Just jump on your consumer research platform and find the answer – job done.

The ability to mine data for answers like this is empowering – suddenly you’re in the driving seat with a world of possibilities ahead of you. Compared to the most obvious alternative – commissioning third party research that could take weeks to arrive – the right consumer research platform is basically a magic wand.

Admittedly we’re biased, but GWI delivers all this and more. Take our platform for a quick spin and see for yourself.

And the downside of using a consumer research platform? Well, no data set, however fresh or thorough, can answer every question. If you need really niche insights then your best bet is custom market research , where you can ask any question you like, tailored to your exact needs.

Face-to-face interviews 

Despite the rise in popularity of online surveys , face-to-face survey interviewing – using mobile devices or even the classic paper survey – is still a popular data collection method.

In terms of advantages, face-to-face interviews help with accurate screening, in the sense the interviewee can’t easily give misleading answers about, say, their age. The interviewer can also make a note of emotions and non-verbal cues. 

On the other hand, face-to-face interviews can be costly, while the quality of data you get back often depends on the ability of the interviewer. Also, the size of the sample is limited to the size of your interviewing staff, the area in which the interviews are conducted, and the number of qualified respondents within that area.

Social listening 

Social listening is a powerful solution for brands who want to keep an ear to the ground, gathering unfiltered thoughts and opinions from consumers who are posting on social media. 

Many social listening tools store data for up to a couple of years, great for trend analysis that needs to compare current and past conversations.

Social listening isn’t limited to text. Images, videos, and emojis often help us better understand what consumers are thinking, saying, and doing better than more traditional research methods. 

Perhaps the biggest downside is there are no guarantees with social listening, and you never know what you will (or won’t) find. It can also be tricky to gauge sentiment accurately if the language used is open to misinterpretation, for example if a social media user describes something as “sick”.

There’s also a potential problem around what people say vs. what they actually do. Tweeting about the gym is a good deal easier than actually going. The wider problem – and this may shock you – is that not every single thing people write on social media is necessarily true, which means social listening can easily deliver unreliable results.

Public domain data 

Public domain data comes from think tanks and government statistics or research centers like the UK’s National Office for Statistics or the United States Census Bureau and the National Institute of Statistical Sciences. Other sources are things like research journals, news media, and academic material.

Its advantages for market research are it’s cheap (or even free), quick to access, and easily available. Public domain datasets can be huge, so potentially very rich.

On the flip side, the data can be out of date, it certainly isn’t exclusive to you, and the collection methodology can leave much to be desired. But used carefully, public domain data can be a useful source of secondary market research.

Telephone interviews 

You know the drill – you get a call from a researcher who asks you questions about a particular topic and wants to hear your opinions. Some even pay or offer other rewards for your time.

Telephone surveys are great for reaching niche groups of consumers within a specific geographic area or connected to a particular brand, or who aren’t very active in online channels. They’re not well-suited for gathering data from broad population groups, simply because of the time and labor involved.

How to use market research 

Data isn’t an end in itself; instead it’s a springboard to make other stuff happen. So once you’ve drawn conclusions from your research, it’s time to think of what you’ll actually do based on your findings.

While it’s impossible for us to give a definitive list (every use case is different), here are some suggestions to get you started.

Leverage it . Think about ways to expand the use – and value – of research data and insights, for example by using research to support business goals and functions, like sales, market share or product design.

Integrate it . Expand the value of your research data by integrating it with other data sources, internal and external. Integrating data like this can broaden your perspective and help you draw deeper insights for more confident decision-making.

Justify it . Enlist colleagues from areas that’ll benefit from the insights that research provides – that could be product management, product development, customer service, marketing, sales or many others – and build a business case for using research.

How to choose the right type of market research 

Broadly speaking, choosing the right research method depends on knowing the type of data you need to collect. To dig into ideas and opinions, choose qualitative; to do some testing, it’s quantitative you want.

There are also a bunch of practical considerations, not least cost. If a particular approach sounds great but costs the earth then clearly it’s not ideal for any brand on a budget.

Then there’s how you intend to use the actual research, your level of expertise with research data, whether you need access to historical data or just a snapshot of today, and so on.

The point is, different methods suit different situations. When choosing, you’ll want to consider what you want to achieve, what data you’ll need, the pros and cons of each method, the costs of conducting the research, and the cost of analyzing the results. 

Market research examples

Independent agency Bright/Shift used GWI consumer insights to shape a high-impact go-to-market strategy for their sustainable furniture client, generating £41K in revenue in the first month. Here’s how they made the magic happen .

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6 Essential Market Research Skills and Engaging Activities for Your Students

6 Engaging Market Research Activities for Your Students

  • May 21, 2024
  • Teaching Tips

Market research is foundational for understanding customer needs, identifying market opportunities, and fostering growth. Developing research skills is crucial for students to be well-prepared for future marketing careers. Here are six essential strategies for market research, including necessary skills, expert insights, and practical classroom exercises.

1. Use Multiple Data Sources

Skills Needed: Analytical thinking, data synthesis, and strategic vision

Using multiple data sources allows researchers to triangulate information, ensuring accurate and reliable insights. This approach is critical in validating assumptions, reducing risk, and ensuring market strategies align with consumer behavior.

Shannon Listopad , owner of November Consulting , emphasized that gathering data from multiple sources is essential to form a comprehensive view of the market. This means collecting information through surveys, focus groups, industry reports, social media, and more. “Get a comprehensive view of how your offering fits in the market dynamics, and always keep in mind the overarching goals of your business,” Shannon advised. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with data, so researchers must focus on synthesizing it to align with business goals.

Activity Idea: Divide students into teams and assign each a different data source to analyze (e.g., consumer surveys, competitor analysis, market reports). Each team will create a summary report that identifies market trends and gaps. Once they’ve finished, have students present their findings to the class to build a complete market analysis.

2. Create Detailed Customer Personas

Skills Needed: Empathy, demographic analysis, and communication

Customer personas help marketers understand their audience’s unique needs, crafting relatable strategies that resonate. Your campaigns might miss the mark without a clear picture of whom you’re marketing to. Research from Single Grain confirms that creating personas can make websites 2-5 times more effective for targeted users.

Ryan Esco , the CMO of FireRock Marketing , recommended creating detailed customer personas to understand specific demographics and their pain points. Go the extra mile by detailing psychological and behavioral characteristics, such as motivations, behaviors, and preferences, to ensure marketing strategies are relevant and meaningful.

“By crafting detailed profiles that go beyond basic demographics to include behaviors, preferences, and pain points, we’ve been able to tailor marketing strategies that resonate deeply, driving engagement and conversion,” Ryan said. “A specific instance of this was our work with a local retail client looking to expand online; by understanding their core customers’ online shopping behaviors and preferences, we developed a digital marketing strategy that significantly increased their online sales within just a few months.”

Activity Idea: Assign students to build customer personas based on a hypothetical product or service. Have them research relevant demographic data, conduct surveys or interviews, and create personas that incorporate realistic profiles. Each student or group should present their personas and explain how marketing strategies could be tailored for each segment.

3. Analyze Customer Behavior Online

Skills Needed: Digital literacy, pattern recognition, and competitive analysis

As digital marketing becomes increasingly data driven, understanding consumer behavior online helps refine campaigns, improve SEO strategies, and strengthen brand positioning. Behavioral analysis often improves customer retention rates and engagement, as shown in a study from Harvard Business Review .

Magee Clegg , the CEO of Cleartail Marketing , encouraged new professionals starting out in market research to leverage online behavior analysis. Understanding consumer journeys involves analyzing keywords, SEO performance, and reviews to shape the marketing strategy effectively. He also advised watching the competitive landscape closely to identify untapped opportunities and differentiate the brand.

“We increased a client’s revenue by 278% in just 12 months by deeply analyzing their target market’s online behavior and tailoring the marketing strategy to match these insights,” Magee said. “This involved not only keyword research and SEO optimization but also creating targeted content and ad campaigns that addressed the specific needs and pain points of their potential customers.” “For marketing professionals looking to improve their skills, I’d stress the importance of integrating customer feedback into your market research process,” he continued. “It provides invaluable insight into what your audience truly values and how you can better serve their needs.”

Activity Idea: Provide students access to a digital analytics tool or publicly available data from social media platforms and instruct them to analyze consumer behavior online. They should identify trends, keywords, and insights that could shape a marketing campaign.

4. Develop Empathy for Customers

Skills Needed: Active listening, critical thinking, and interpersonal communication

Empathy is one of the most critical skills for marketing professionals in this current digital age. Empathy allows for a deeper understanding of customer needs and pain points. It drives innovation and leads to more authentic and effective marketing strategies.

Matthew Montez , the founder of The MBC Group , believes in developing empathy through direct customer engagement via interviews and social media listening. He recommended “putting yourself in the shoes of the people you’re aiming to serve” to understand rational and emotional drivers.

“Embrace the iterative nature of market research,” Matthew added. “Your understanding of your customers should evolve as you test assumptions, gather more data, and refine your product or service. This ongoing process is not only critical for the initial launch but also for sustaining growth and adapting to changing market conditions.”

Activity Idea: Have students conduct one-on-one interviews with consumers or hold focus groups about a hypothetical product. Then, have them write a brief report reflecting on the insights gained from these interactions and how their findings might shape a marketing strategy.

5. Conduct In-Depth Customer Interviews

Skills Needed: Interviewing techniques, qualitative analysis, and open-mindedness

In-depth interviews uncover customer motivations and challenges that aren’t immediately apparent through surveys or focus groups. This qualitative insight can help refine products, services, and marketing messages.

“In my experience, one of the most important steps in conducting effective market research is talking directly to your potential customers,” shared Jason Hunt , the CMO and cofounder of Merged Media . “There’s no substitute for in-depth customer interviews. When my company was developing a new software product, we spent months interviewing current and prospective clients to understand their pain points, workflows, and needs. Those conversations shaped the product in ways we never could have anticipated.”

Jason’s advice to young professionals is to meet with real people, ask open-ended questions, and listen to the answers with an open mind. “You need to understand both the rational and emotional drivers behind customer behavior,” he said. “Immerse yourself in the customer experience as much as possible. That’s the only way to gain the kind of insight that leads to truly innovative products and services.”

Activity Idea: Have students draft a set of open-ended questions and conduct mock interviews with their classmates. Encourage active listening and have students analyze responses to identify recurring themes. They can then discuss how their findings could influence product design or marketing.

6. Highlight the Unique Value Proposition

Skills Needed: Competitive analysis, value differentiation, and persuasive communication

Differentiating your product is critical in a crowded marketplace. A clear UVP helps consumers quickly understand the benefits and drives purchase decisions.

According to HubSpot , a well-crafted UVP improves customer engagement and conversion rates: “Your value proposition is a unique identifier for your business. Without it, buyers won’t have a reason to purchase what you sell. They may even choose a competitor simply because that business communicates its value proposition clearly in its marketing campaigns and sales process.”

Activity Idea: Provide students with case studies of successful product launches or a hypothetical scenario to identify a product’s unique attributes. They should draft a UVP statement that aligns these attributes with customer needs and present how they would incorporate it into a marketing strategy.

More Market Research Classroom Materials: The Market Research Bundle

If you like these activity ideas, consider checking out the Market Research Bundle . With the bundle, your students learn the process of conducting market research from start to finish. The “ Market Research Essentials” courseware contains time-saving resources for educators and covers how to define research objectives, develop surveys, use sampling techniques, perform data analysis, and present results, among other relevant research topics.

Students can also put classroom concepts to work with the Stukent ® Market Research Simternship™ . This simulation puts students in the role of a research analyst at Buhi Supply Co., a simulated e-commerce company. Over 12 unique rounds, students will analyze focus groups, identify key findings, create surveys, and visualize data.

To learn about Stukent’s first-in-the-world Simternships and courseware and to get FREE instructor access to Stukent materials, visit  our website .

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Profi Research

Address: 119415 Moscow, Russian Federation

Profi Online Research is a full-service market research company, providing consumer goods surveys, BtoB and market segment research using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The company uses… ...

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Enjoy Understanding

Address: 115054 Moscow, Russian Federation

We are researchers, and Understanding is our vocation. Main frames of our expertise are: people and culture, market and brands, communication. Understanding is an integral component of success for any business, and we help our clients to reach it. ...

Online Interviewer LLC

Address: Moscow, Russian Federation

Online Interviewer LLC provides online fieldwork in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. ...

Atelier Market Research

Address: 115035 Moscow, Russian Federation

Qualitative boutique ...

CESSI Institute for Comparative Social Research

Address: 107031 Moscow, Russian Federation

CESSI is one of the leading full services public opinion and marketing research company in Russia and post Soviet countries. We specialize in the provision of field research (PAPI, CAPI, CATI, CAWI) and qualitative surveys, data analysis and survey design (sampling, translation, data processing). ...

Public Opinion Foundation

Address: 121552 Moscow, Russian Federation

Founded in 1992 Public Opinion Foundation is now one of the largest and best-known nationwide research agencies. One of our main advantages is our regional network of branches. The network consists… ...

Business and Marketing Analytic Centre

Address: 127572 Moscow, Russian Federation

B&M (Business and Marketing Analytic Centre, including Business and Marketing Research Centre from 2010) provides full service marketing research in Russia and has a proved specialization on projects with time constraints (X2 times shorter timing and quick launching). Welcome! ...

Top of Mind MR&C

Address: 115280 Moscow, Russian Federation

Top of Mind MR&C is a team of professionals with a strong experience in consumer research, healthcare research, automotives research, finance research, B2B research, etc. Our key people have more than… ...

MarketSense

Address: 115114 Moscow, Russian Federation

MarketSense is an independent full-service agency, specializing in state-of-the-art ad hoc research. Reliable partner to both research and branding agencies, as well as manufacturers for 12 years. Quality field across Russia and CIS, topped by sophisticated analysis. ...

Address: 127018 Moscow, Russian Federation

Mediascope is the market research company in Russia, providing a full-cycle research in the area of media audience measurements. ...

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  3. What is a Focus Group and How to Use it in Your Market Research

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  4. Key Market Research Methods and When to Use Them

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  2. The 4 Best Places To Do Market Research

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COMMENTS

  1. Online Focus Groups: Up to $250/hr Paid Research Studies (2024)

    19. Probe Market Research. Consumers, medical professionals, and executives are in demand for Probe Market Research's panels. Focus groups pay between $50 and $400, and you can often participate online or over the phone. Major brands enlist Probe to conduct online surveys, mystery shopping gigs, mock juries, product trials, and more. 20. dscout

  2. Top Online Focus Group Platforms for Market Research

    Market research is a vital component of business strategy, providing insights that can shape product development, marketing, and customer experience. Online focus group platforms have ...

  3. Market Research Studies

    A focus group is a round-table discussion on products and services that you use. The discussions are led by market research professionals and usually last between 1-2 hours. While focus groups are common types of research studies, we also do taste tests, product trials, in-home interviews, shop-along interviews, phone interviews, and online ...

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    Review providers of online focus group services. The discussions are led by trained marketing research professionals (moderators) who, using a discussion guide, query a group of participants. Featured Experts in Top Market Research Firms for Online Focus Groups & Interviews. 1 GOLD RESEARCH INC Sago New Jersey Fieldwork Webwork and Anywhere ...

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    Click here to apply for studies - focus groups, clinical trials, online research, apps and earn $$$! Browse our listings to find paid market research studies in US. Visit our page & Sign up!

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    Get matched. Our matching algorithm will send research studies straight to your inbox based on your details. 3. Apply to studies. Answer a few screening questions online to help researchers know if you are a fit. 4. Get paid. Researchers invite participants to studies. Get paid quickly once your work is finished.

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    Clinical Trial on COPD - up to $85 per visit. Find the best market research studies in the US! Daily updated extensive list of focus groups, clinical trials, online surveys, app installs and other online studies. Browse now!

  10. What is a Focus Group and How to Use it in Your Market Research

    A focus group is a small group of people selected based on their specific shared characteristics, to take part in a discussion for market research, or other types of research. Focus groups are a kind of primary research. Unlike market research software, which is one of the most popular tools for conducting research in the present day, a focus ...

  11. Find Paid Focus Groups Near You

    Find Focus Groups is a legitimate resource for finding paid focus group opportunities in the United States. Including paid studies, taste tests, and usability studies. ... Our team gathers focus groups from around the web and works directly with some of the top market research firms. 1. ... If you qualify you will be contacted by the company ...

  12. 15 Best Paid Online Focus Groups: Make $150/hour

    15. WatchLab. Voted 4.4 out of 5 on Facebook, you can earn from $50 up to $200 for a study (US-based only). WatchLab has online focus groups, in-person research studies, and in-home studies. You can check out their Facebook page to see the range of focus groups they offer.

  13. Focus Groups

    Focus groups are guided discussions with a selected group of individuals to gather opinions on a specific topic or product. Moderators lead the conversation, capturing insights and feedback for analysis. ... Market research online communities can deliver unbeatable insights instantly and provide great ROI. Lisa Boughton. Director & Co-Founder ...

  14. 33 Best Paid Focus Groups Online (Make $450+/Hour)

    2. Respondent. Respondent is well known for offering a massive range of paid focus groups online. But what's even better is that when it comes to high paid market research online, Respondent is easily the best around. In fact, you can earn up to $250 just for a one-hour focus group.

  15. 13 Market Research Tools: Best in Class for 2023

    #12 Best online market research tool for focus groups: Remesh. Most-loved feature: Common topics. In just a few clicks, you can view the themes and topics that are most common with your focus group across an entire session. It groups similar responses, specific phrases, and interesting responses in seconds.

  16. Online Qualitative Market Research Platform & Focus Groups

    Online market research services: platform + people. Our experienced aha engagement team provides study design, project management, recruiting and analytic consulting, plus hands-on training and tech support. You can do it yourself, or we can do it all for you. Comprehensive management of every aspect of an online qual market research study ...

  17. Greenbook

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  18. How to earn £40-£200 in a couple of hours via market research focus

    Holding most of its groups online, Focus Force typically pays £50-£100 a session. When we signed up to test it, there were a host of projects, from £120 for an online focus group on sustainability to £60 for a two-hour chat about meat-free foods. Typical payment per project: £50-£120 How and where does it run groups?

  19. How to Do Market Research: The Complete Guide

    Monitor and adapt. Now that you have gained insights into the various market research methods at your disposal, let's delve into the practical aspects of how to conduct market research effectively. Here's a quick step-by-step overview, from defining objectives to monitoring market shifts. 1. Set clear objectives.

  20. Types of Market Research: Methods & Examples

    The disadvantages are it can be time-consuming and potentially costly, plus there's a risk of survey bias creeping in, in the sense that research samples may not be representative of the wider group. Secondary research . Primary market research means you collect the data your business needs, whereas the types of market research known as ...

  21. 6 Engaging Market Research Activities for Your Students

    Market research is foundational for understanding customer needs, identifying market opportunities, and fostering growth. ... This means collecting information through surveys, focus groups, industry reports, social media, and more. "Get a comprehensive view of how your offering fits in the market dynamics, and always keep in mind the ...

  22. Top 10+ Market Research Companies in Russian Federation

    CESSI is one of the leading full services public opinion and marketing research company in Russia and post Soviet countries. We specialize in the provision of field research (PAPI, CAPI, CATI, CAWI) and qualitative surveys, data analysis and survey design (sampling, translation, data processing). ... +7-495-6506892. 4.2.

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  24. O+K Research. Independent research agency

    Seeing the growing demand for marketing services on the Russian market, Oleg Dembo has founded O+K Research together with Kirill Burdey in 1999. Since 2000, Oleg is a member of ESOMAR (European Society of Opinion and Market Research). In 2010-2016 Oleg has been ESOMAR National Representative for Russia.

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