Getting Started with Market Research
Market research is crucial for the success of any new business. Figuring out your target market (size? who are they? where do they live? how do they spend? how can you reach them? who are your competitors?), talking to your customers, new products, understanding the regulatory environment, and examining trends is some of the information you can uncover using market research. Market research is divided into Primary research and Secondary research.
Primary research is new research, carried out to answer specific issues or questions. It can involve questionnaires, surveys or interviews with individuals or small groups.
Secondary research makes use of information previously researched for other purposes & publicly available. Market research reports, articles, demographics--any information NOT INITIALLY COLLECTED by you.
Read "The Difference Between Primary and Secondary Research" (The Balance: Small Business) for more information.
Databases for Market Research
- Market Research GuideUAL resources for Market Research (for current students, faculty and staff).
Open Access Resources for Market Research
- Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity AssociationQuarterly market overviews providing a complete look at the metrics that shape Canada’s private capital landscape
- SIS International - Market ResearchA full service (qualitative and quantitative) Global Market Research and Strategy Consulting firm in Canada
- Key Small Business Statistics (Gov of Canada)Provides statistical data on the business sector in Canada, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises
- Open Data Portal - Edmonton Open AccessThe catalogue has grown to include a wide variety of datasets and visualizations, making data much more available to the public
- Alberta Open Government PortalAlbertans can search for laws, publications and datasets in a centralized location to provide the full picture and make discovery of data and information easier
- Open Data - Government of Canada Open AccessYour one-stop shop for Government of Canada open datasets
- HubspotA full platform of marketing, sales, customer service, and CRM software (plus the methodology, resources, and support) to help businesses
Marketing and Sales Strategies
What is your brand? What are you selling? and why do I need it? Get the word out on numerous social media platforms.