Market research sounds intimidating, but you don’t need expensive consultants or fancy software to do it right. In fact, the best market research can be done on your own—with hustle, curiosity, and a few free tools.
Start with primary research: talk to real people. Create a short survey using Google Forms or Typeform, then share it in niche Facebook groups, Reddit communities, LinkedIn, or Discord servers. Ask direct questions:
- What’s your biggest challenge with [your product category]?
- How do you currently solve it?
- What would make you switch?
You’ll be amazed how much people are willing to share if you’re genuinely curious.
Next, dig into secondary research. Use Google Trends to see what’s hot. Search keyword volumes using free tools like Ubersuggest or AnswerThePublic. Check Amazon or Etsy reviews in your niche to see what people love—or hate—about existing products.
Reddit is a goldmine. Search subreddits like r/startups or r/smallbusiness for conversations. Look for patterns: recurring complaints, wish lists, or unserved needs.
Also try observational research: watch how your competitors interact with customers online. What do they post? What gets the most engagement? This isn’t spying—it’s learning.
Keep a spreadsheet or Notion board of everything you find. Patterns will emerge. And once you see the gaps, you’ll know exactly where your product or service can fit in.
Market research isn’t about data overload. It’s about finding signals. And if you listen well, the market will tell you exactly what it needs.
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