Market research is important to every company's business strategy. That's why, before moving forward with the manufacture or sale of a new product or offering a new service in the public marketplace, you should always carry out either general or region-specific research based on the size and scope of your intended market. In fact, the market research itself can actually guide you in determining the size and scope of the market you can realistically expect for your product or service--a factor that's critical to the development of any new or ongoing business plan.

In the area of market research companies, Maryland is a state which enjoys its fair share of firms. You'll find a number of market research firms in Maryland, spread throughout the state, which can help your local business quickly and easily find the crucial data you need to effectively market whatever your company is selling. Market research companies in Maryland can help you determine your company's potential share of the action, in that state or elsewhere, through your choice of either online or in-person versions of the following vehicles:

1. Focus Groups;

2. Surveys;

3. Panels;

4. Studies;

5. Interviews; and

6. Data Collection.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out a few market research firms in Maryland to get an idea of what they have to offer

By investigating several market research firms in your own region, you'll get a better idea of not only the services that market research companies in general provide, but also the specific focus of each of the local companies you'd likely deal with.

I recommend: A few individual market research firms in MD that you can investigate are Aduro, Cyon Research, HMR (House Market Research, Inc.) and Eureka Facts.

Browse sites providing info for numerous market research firms in Maryland

Quite a few websites provide a valuable service to those seeking market research firms. By presenting often-lengthy groupings of companies located in various states, they make your job of tracking down the right local firm that much easier.

I recommend: GreenBook, SalesVantage.com, Inc., MarketsDirectory.com and Respond all make Maryland marketing research comparison shopping a breeze, providing information on numerous MD market research firms.

Find market research firms in Maryland that do your research online for greater speed

Some websites provide info on numerous market research firms that offer online research services. Such web-based services can prove a convenient alternative to in-person research methods, which are more time-consuming and often more costly. Some local and remote firms also provide online options along with their face-to-face services.

I recommend: NPD Group, Inc. offers web-based consumer tracking services, and Beta Research Corporation provides online surveys, along with on-site research at various locations. The GreenBook website provides info on numerous firms that do marketing research--Maryland-based and otherwise--including online focus groups, research panels, and data collection services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you don't require face-to-face research methods for your market research, Maryland locations won't be a limiting factor. You'll be free to choose any company from any location to provide your online market research services. However, if it's important to you to be near the firm with which you work so you'll be able to drop in when you have a problem or question, you might want to look at market research MD firms that also provide web-based research.