A market research company is a specialized company that obtains, analyzes, and interprets data to gain insight into market trends and conditions, specific consumer behaviors, competition, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Clients then use this data to grow their customer base, improve brand visibility, and increase revenue.

Market research agencies can be grouped into the following types:

• Syndicated market research
  Provides broad insights into a specific market, often through a report or presentation. The information provided is non-exclusive, easy to access, and has a static market perspective.

• Custom market research
  Gathers first-hand data explicitly tailored for the client. The study addresses business questions and nuances relevant only to the client. For example, these might be surveys on the performance of one of the client’s brands. The report and raw data are also owned by the client and handed over to them by the end of the project.

• Specialty market research
  Agencies that specialize in specific industries or niches in the broader market. They have years of in-depth experience gathering competitive and strategic intelligence that provides more detailed insights into the market segment. Like a custom market research firm, the data these agencies collect is bespoke and owned by the client.

• Online market research
  Collects and analyzes data on customers, competitors, and markets online. This data is then used to help clients become competitive by putting their brand on top of search engines, taking advantage of trends on social media, and making smarter business decisions overall.

A market research agency can be a precious data source for businesses, with the industry bringing in more than $84 billion in global revenue. Most of that revenue comes from the US at $48 billion, with pharmaceuticals, entertainment, and consumer goods companies among its top spenders.

A market research company helps businesses better understand their consumers, competitors, and the market in general.

Their primary services include:

• Primary research
  Collecting data directly from the target market through focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and surveys. The data is analyzed for further insights into market trends or comparisons with existing data.
• Secondary research
  Acquiring and aggregating data that has already been analyzed and published. Data is often sourced from the public domain, such as think tanks, government websites, research journals, and academic institutions.
• Quantitative research
  Gathering numerical data that can be measured statistically, often through phone or online surveys. The raw data is typically used to make benchmarks and serve as the foundation to investigate certain hypotheses.
• Qualitative research
  Collecting non-numerical data through case studies, focus groups, interviews, and observations to determine consumer behavior, attitudes, motivations, and preferences.
• Customer research
  Focuses on data influencing customer satisfaction and loyalty. The agency may also assist in identifying new customer segments and their typical behavior and preferences.
• Competitor research
  Collecting and compiling data on competing businesses, including their strengths and weaknesses compared to the client. It can also determine the client’s competitiveness in a particular market.
• Branding research
  Assisting in developing a brand’s elements, including its tone, images, messaging, values, and overall identity, that engage best with its target audience. The agency can also help determine a brand’s position in the market and how it fares against competitors.
• Product research
  Determining how customers perceive a product or service. This includes researching the branding and design and testing customers’ reactions to specific features.
• Data scraping
  Extracting data from websites, databases, PDF files, XML databases, and other sources using specialized software. The raw data is then compiled into a database for analysis.
• Data mining
  Extracting and analyzing large datasets from competitor websites, news platforms, job portals, online directories, and social media profiles to uncover trends and insights.
• Consulting
  Providing strategic guidance, market assessments, competitive support, and brand positioning consultations. Companies can use these services and research data to develop growth-oriented business strategies.
• Training
  A market research agency may also offer workshops to support strategic planning sessions or brainstorming. These workshops help businesses learn how to generate insights collaboratively and encourage team innovation.

Success story

TGM Research, a Singapore-based market research agency, was hired by a financial firm to conduct a study on banking behavior in global digital remittances. In addition to ensuring compliance with cross-border privacy and data security regulations, the agency had to manage participants scattered across different countries and time zones.

TGM conducted a usage and attitude study in selected countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. It focused on individuals engaged in banking activities, those needing international banking services, and those using mobile apps.

The study resulted in a hard-to-reach customer profile across nine countries. Successful collaboration with the client’s scripting and hosting providers and other stakeholders also enabled the timely delivery of data that the client could use to better understand global banking behaviors.

A market research company charges between $15,000 to $50,000 for a qualitative or quantitative custom market research project. Small, localized surveys cost less at around $1,200 to $6,000, while global segmented research can reach upwards of $1 million.

The total cost of hiring a market research firm can also be influenced by the following factors:

• Type of research conducted
• The complexity of the study
• Specialized project requirements
• Size of the target audience
• Proportion of eligible participants
• Location and travel expenses
• Data collection methods
• Incentives provided to participants
• Expertise and reputation of the research agency.

At DesignRush, market research companies charge an average of $85 per hour. Approximately 11% of the agencies will accept projects with a budget of less than $1,000, while only 2% require a minimum budget of $50,000.

You should hire a market research firm to leverage expert insights and data-driven strategies that can enhance your understanding of market trends, customer preferences, and competitors. They can help you make informed business decisions, reduce risks, and identify opportunities for growth and innovation.

Some of the specific benefits you’ll get include:

• Access to expertise
  You can work with professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in various methodologies, markets, and industries. They can provide better results in less time than hiring and training market researchers in-house.
• Data-driven decisions
  According to a survey, 60% of “best-in-class” companies made decisions based on data. A research agency provides measurable data as a reliable compass for critical business decisions. Once a new strategy or campaign is launched, this data can be used to track its progress and adjust if needed.
• Identify growth opportunities
  Whether it’s new customers, markets, or channels, a market research company can help you spot growth opportunities you may not find on your own. They might also help you spot emerging trends with customers and the industry.
• Reliable, unbiased information
  A third-party agency can provide an objective viewpoint with little or no biases influencing the research results. This ensures that the information you get is free of preconceived opinions or perceptions within your organization.
• Tailored solutions
  A market research firm can customize its research strategy and implementation to address your needs. From methodologies to software, these agencies can adapt their approach to your unique requirements.
• Improve operations
  Companies lose up to 30% of revenue annually due to inefficiency. When you work with a research agency, you can get data that your business needs to measure its performance and efficiency. From sales to staff scheduling, businesses can utilize the information gathered by these firms to maximize their resources.
• Cost savings
  Market research within your organization can be very expensive. While hiring a research firm requires a significant upfront investment, you’ll save much more on overhead costs and purchasing tools and supplies.
• Better audience engagement
  74% of customers say they are likely to buy based on their experience with a business. A market research agency will help you discover your audience's needs, pain points, and challenges. You can then use this to optimize your campaigns and connect with your customers more effectively.
• Increased competitiveness
  Nearly a quarter of companies worldwide lack a clear market research strategy. With a market research firm, you put your business ahead of the competition. They can also help you better understand your competitor’s strengths and weaknesses and enable you to adjust your strategies accordingly.
• Mitigate risks
  Critical business decisions will always have an element of risk. With market research, you’ll be able to learn more about these risks and make informed choices. It also helps reduce the likelihood of mistakes and keeps potential financial losses to a minimum.

Success story

Craft Innovations, a global research specialist based in Canada, was hired to help launch a new cookie brand. The client wanted to discover which cookies would succeed in a highly competitive market.

The project was divided into multiple stages, including quantitative research of customer preferences and in-depth interviews. It also conducted a detailed audit of recipes and ingredients used in existing offerings in the market.

The agency provided a detailed report with key ingredients, price positioning, and packaging recommendations. It also described customer behaviors and estimated market capacity to help optimize the brand’s entry into the market.

To choose the right market research company for your business, just follow these steps:

• Determine your goals
  Define what you want to achieve through market research. This will make it easier for you to find a company aligned with your objectives.
• Define your budget
  Market research services come at varying costs, so set budgetary limits. Be realistic about what you can afford and accommodate any emergency expenses.
• Research potential partners
  Referrals, Google Search, and online agency directories like DesignRush are good places to start. Our directory also features client testimonials, ratings, hourly rates, contact details, and other information to help you identify suitable agencies.
• Shortlist your top choices
  Select at least five agencies that align best with your budget, goals, and other requirements. Make sure that they have experience working in your industry as well. Reach out to these prospects and schedule an interview.
• Interview candidates
  Ask about their research methodologies, data collection processes, and the staff who will do the fieldwork. Be sure to check their communication skills and responsiveness to your queries.
• Check their experience
  Ask how long they’ve been in the business and if they have done projects within your industry. We also recommend requesting a client portfolio and case studies of their successful projects.
• Awards and accreditations
  Ask if they are members or certified by internationally recognized organizations like ESOMAR and the Market Research Society (MRS). Industry awards such as those from the Advertising Research Foundation and American Marketing Association are a plus.
• Client reviews
  Reviews can shed light on how the agency delivers results and the quality of their work. Google My Business and the DesignRush directory are excellent places to find accurate client testimonials.
• Send an RFP
  A request for proposal (RFP) is essential for communicating your project’s requirements to shortlisted agencies. Ensure all the important details, like the project’s goals, expected timeline, deliverables, and estimated costs, are laid out in the proposal.
• Decide on an agency
  Once you’ve identified a suitable market research agency, inform them of your decision and request a Service Level Agreement (SLA).

Still not sure where to begin? The DesignRush Marketplace can help kickstart your market research journey. Give us a few details about your project, and we’ll provide a list of the best market research firms suitable for your requirements — for free.

To find the best market research company on DesignRush that fits your budget, filter your search according to your minimum budget. Click on the Filter Results tab on the Market Research agency directory, sort by minimum budget, and filter from lowest to highest.

Make sure to consider the ratings when making your selection as well. Among the top-rated market research firms (at least 4.5 stars or higher) in DesignRush that accept a minimum budget of $1,000 or less include:

• Uniquesdata
• Spectrum BPO
• SunTec Data
• Jellie Digital
• Agency Y

The following key success metrics in market research are used to outline the progress of market research efforts and help optimize them for increased accuracy and impact:

• Customer satisfaction: Measures customer satisfaction with a product or service. It is a standard metric used in market research to track the performance of marketing initiatives.
• Net promoter score (NPS): Measures how likely a customer is to refer the brand to others. It is the industry’s gold standard for measuring customer experience and brand loyalty.
• Customer effort score (CES): Determines how easy it is for customers to do business with a company. Typically measured on a 1 to 5 scale, it is used to better understand a customer’s brand experience and loyalty.
• Brand awareness: Determines how familiar a consumer is with a particular product or service. Usually, in the form of surveys, this metric is often used to determine if a marketing campaign effectively boosts brand recognition and visibility.
• Brand image: Measures the consumer’s perception of a brand using carefully selected adjectives and ranked according to scale. This data is then compared with competitor brands to determine if consumers see the brand the way marketing campaigns present it.
• Celebrity analysis: Provides further insight into how the public perceives your brand and whether campaigns work as intended. It involves asking consumers which celebrities they associate the most with the brand. It is also helpful in finding celebrity endorsers to further boost the brand’s image.
• Customer age groups: Ranks the brand’s customers according to their age group. This metric allows companies to better understand customer preferences and create targeted experiences to increase loyalty and sales. It is also essential for campaigns to market products and offers to new age ranges.
• Gender: Tracks the customer gender share over time. It is used to craft more personalized marketing campaigns and customer experiences that boost engagement and sales.
• Tech adoption: Rates and categorizes consumers according to their willingness to adopt new technologies. This indicator is handy for businesses selling tech products such as smartphones, computers, and cameras. It is also used to evaluate the progress of a product launch and find opportunities to maximize revenue streams.
• Purchase and usage intention: Gauges future purchasing potential from consumers, predicts future sales, and collects feedback on new products and services. This focuses on a specific product or service and its customer relationship. Willingness to pay: Identifies the maximum and minimum price range a consumer will pay for a product. This range is crucial when making pricing decisions or adjustments to optimize profit.

The questions you should ask each market research firm before hiring one include the following:

Its Relevant Background

1. What’s your experience in our industry and market?
2. What research methodologies are your specialty?
3. What are the characteristics or qualities that make you stand out?
4. Do you have success stories with companies like ours?
5. Could you provide us with references from your previous clients?

Its Services and Processes

1. What does your firm provide specific services?
2. What is your process in designing and implementing the research?
3. How will you collect and analyze data?
4. How will you provide us with actionable insights?
5. Who will be conducting the research?
6. Are the research services done entirely in-house or outsourced?
7. If outsourcing is needed, which aspects will be done externally?
8. Is your firm experienced in conducting research across different demographics?
9. Are you capable of customizing your approach to meet our needs?
10. How do you make sure your sources are accurate and up to date? 
11. Do your compliance, confidentiality, and security procedures align with our requirements?

Related to Your Project

1. How long will it take for the project to finish?
2. How will you ensure results are delivered on time?
3. How do you communicate with clients?
4. Who will be managing my account?
5. Can I have access to the raw data at all times?
6. How much input do you need from us?
7. How will the results of the research be presented?
8. What other added value can you provide for our company?

The best market research companies in the US are:

• Research America, Inc
  • 4.3 stars on Google (8 reviews)
  • Top clients: eBay, Casio, Wrangler, American Airlines
• BrandIQ
  • 4.0 stars on Google (8 reviews)
  • Top clients: Energizer, TGI Fridays, TLC, Airbnb
• InterQ Research
  • 4.7 stars on DesignRush (4 reviews)
  • 5.0 stars on Google (18 reviews)
  • Top clients: Salesforce, eBay, Delta Airlines, Google
• BlueLabel
  • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (16 reviews)
  • 5.0 stars on Google (18 reviews)
  • Top clients: Consumer Reports, Google, Brinks, Frontdoor Home
• Attrock
  • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (13 reviews)
  • 5.0 stars on Google (2 reviews)
  • Top clients: HubSpot, SemRush, Sprout Social, SpyFu