Talk about how research can now be done anywhere and everywhere and focus more on the language demographic that it can reach. Since focus groups can now be done online via Bulletin Boards, people can simply change the language read with their local language.
When conducting marketing research in an international setting, one must evaluate consumer, export, and import statistics in several parts of the world. The research must show how different people from across the globe spend their income. This is then related to a region’s traditions, culture and customs, and many other socioeconomic factors. In the days before online marketing research, international researches were very time-consuming and required traveling to several locations all over the world. Furthermore, such researches, if undertaken, are costly, and there is an added challenge of the language barriers for every location selected.
But with the advent of the internet age, it has become easier to conduct international marketing research. This means that people from all over the world, regardless of location in any part of the globe, can now participate in international marketing research. Because this is conducted online, this opens new possibilities for marketing researchers. Now, as more people opt for smart phones, it is also possible to conduct research anytime, anywhere. People carry their handheld devices with them all the time, everywhere. The possibilities of online marketing research are varied, and with many different types of consumers using these devices, from young people to businessmen who often travel, it assures that the researchers have a wider audience to choose from in the research. Furthermore, mobile marketing research guarantees an extensive reach, as well as faster responses.
For example, an online focus group may be done via video conferencing or the use of webcams. This means that all the steps of the research from recruitment to the actual research need not be done by traveling to the location of the persons included in the focus group. Another option open to marketing researchers are bulletin boards or message boards. This type of focus group discussion lets the participants have freedom and control when it comes to the time they will allot for the research, or what time they choose to access the online bulletin board. Because everything is done online, the language barrier is no longer a problem. Respondents who speak a different language need not worry in online focus group discussions. Indeed, marketing researchers need not worry if some of the respondents, especially from Asian countries, do not speak English and speak another language. They can simply change the language settings to their own local language and answer questions posted on the online bulletin board accordingly. Marketing research software and technology thus bridge the gap on international marketing research.