Market Research: When to Go DIY and When to Call in the Experts
Conducting market research without an expert network comes with both benefits and challenges. In today’s blog, we’ll break down the pros and cons, helping you determine when to go the DIY route and when bringing in the support of a recruiting partner is the smarter move.
The Pros of DIY Market Research
Cost Savings
Partnering with an expert network for recruiting for your market research projects can be expensive, with costs ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the project scope and respondent criteria. For those with tight budgets, prices that high are not always feasible, making independent research a more cost effective alternative.
Full Control
When you conduct your market research independently, you have the benefit of full control over the process. The design of the screener, creation of questions, selection of respondents, and timeline are all in your hands, giving you full autonomy throughout the research process.
The Cons of DIY Market Research
Limited Access to High-Quality Respondents
While DIY market research may have benefits related to cost and control, there are difficulties that come with finding high-quality respondents. An expert network like Zintro has a pool of more than one million verified experts and professionals, as well as a team dedicated to custom recruitment. Those conducting market research on their own do not have access to these kinds of individuals and must rely on other methods, which may lead them to respondents without the right qualifications or industry experience.
Time-Consuming Recruitment
It’s no secret that the recruitment process for market research projects can be time consuming, especially when researchers are searching for respondents from scratch rather than through a preexisting panel. When conducting research without an expert network, researchers must juggle recruitment efforts alongside their daily responsibilities, which can negatively impact the research timeline.
Choosing What’s Right for Your Business
When to Conduct DIY Research
When you want to be cost effective
When you want full control over the process
When you already have access to your target audience (e.g., existing customers, stakeholders)
When your project is small scale and manageable
When speed is not a critical factor
When to Partner with an Expert Network
When you have a budget that aligns with the cost of the research
When the timeline is critical
When you don’t have access to your target audience
When your target audience is niche rather than broad
When your project is larger scale
When you need thoroughly verified and vetted respondents
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