Online Focus Groups

The value and usefulness of focus groups as a market research methodology is generally well understood. Yet, attitude and lifestyle changes have made traditional face-to-face focus groups more expensive and more challenging to conduct. Fortunately, improvements in information technology have meant that online focus groups now offer a more practical alternative.

Online focus groups provide an effective way of engaging with select groups using in-depth, qualitative research techniques. Participants (and observers) can participate from the comfort and convenience of their own home or office.

Benefits of Online Focus Groups

Online focus groups offer many benefits. Here are just some:

Cost-Effective - Online focus groups cut out a lot of the costs associated with traditional face-to-face focus groups. Travel, room hire and catering are all additional costs that can be eliminated.
Live Observation - Key client stakeholders can observe the online focus group live as it happens. Observers can pass virtual notes to the focus group moderator to enable indirect communication with the group.
Eliminate Geographic Barriers - Online focus groups can be participated from anywhere where there is Internet access. There are no geographic restrictions so participants can be sourced nationally or even globally.
Access hard-to-get respondents - There are many reasons why some people are just impossible to get to focus groups. The increased convenience of an online focus group means these typically hard-to-get respondents are more willing to participate in an online focus group.
Fast turnaround - Face-to-face focus groups can take months to plan, prepare and complete. An online focus group can be conducted in a matter of days. Online recruitment can speed the process up tenfold, giving you the insights you need, when you need them.

Interested in online focus groups for your next research project? Contact us now for further information.