Using the correct international market research method will help obtain accurate market data in order to create conditions for the development of foreign trade business. First, determine and understand the research direction, then determine the research objectives, form the research theme, and finally formulate a survey plan. When formulating a plan, the key is to pay attention to the selection of research methods. The appropriateness of the research method will have a significant impact on the research results. In summary, there are generally three methods:
(1) Desk research method. It is also called paper research method and is one of the main methods of research. This type of research mainly involves a lot of desk work, that is, it is necessary to analyze, organize and draw conclusions from a large number of materials related to a certain market transaction activity. At this time, market researchers or foreign trade business personnel and other relevant personnel who conduct research cannot enter the actual international market at any time to conduct research work like conducting domestic market research, but can only carry out work with the help of a large amount of ready-made written materials.
Researchers should find relevant “second-hand information” based on the topic to be researched. For example, if the topic is about the problems existing in a product, such as quality, then it is necessary to collect relevant information, customer letters, and situations reflected in transaction dynamics. Researchers should continue to add new information as the research progresses. The more detailed the information, the more reliable the analysis and the more reliable the conclusion. Then use these confirmed data to analyze and judge, eliminate irrelevant factors, discover problems, deduce causes, and propose ways and methods to solve the problems.
For example, the “Know the Market” channel of Alibaba International Station Data Management has an “Industry Perspective”, which helps merchants quickly and comprehensively grasp the information of buyers online, and also understand the situation of suppliers in the same industry.
(2) Market experiment method, through small-scale markets (such as exhibitions, trial sales stores, etc.) to conduct experiments, and use appropriate methods to collect and analyze experimental data to determine whether the product is worth large-scale promotion. When the quality of the product needs to be improved, the price needs to be adjusted, and the packaging needs to be improved, this method can be used to understand the changes in market demand. That is, a specific market is used as a trial sales venue to achieve the purpose of fully understanding the market situation. Its advantages are that the method is relatively scientific and reliable, and relatively accurate original data can be obtained. The disadvantage is that it is very difficult to choose an experimental market with similar social, economic, cultural, political and other environments. It is difficult to compare experimental results due to the large number of variable factors that are difficult to control. The experimental time is long and the cost is generally high. The above methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Enterprises should choose the appropriate method according to many factors such as actual data conditions and funding conditions. In short, if cross-border e-commerce companies want to win in the international market competition and smoothly carry out trade activities, they will not be able to make correct decisions and achieve better economic benefits if they do not use information resources and conduct market research fully and comprehensively. Only by focusing on research can we achieve twice the result with half the effort.