
SME's
SME's
Nearly all firms fall within the category of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Micro SMEs have fewer than 10 employees and a yearly revenue of less than €2 million; small SMEs have less than 50 employees and a yearly turnover of less than €10 million; and medium-sized SMEs have less than 250 workers and a yearly turnover of less than €50 million, according to the UK's definition of a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
Audiences - Small & medium businesses
- A wide variety of industries, including but not limited to: retail, hair and beauty, cafés, restaurants, catering, manufacturing, healthcare, real estate, construction, arts and pleasure, training and instruction, and hospitality and travel.
- Advertising, goods and services, customer feedback, distribution methods, price strategy, market knowledge, and competition analysis are some of the more common areas covered.
Euro barometer of small & medium businesses
A CATI study was undertaken, encompassing a total of 6,900 interviews, of which 300 were with SMEs operating in 23 European markets. Analyse sample sources from the D&B database according to employee size, revenue, and sector (SIC). In each market, representative targets relative to the national SME profile. Complete programming and hosting services are provided by Audience Match, including weekly data delivery and localised and open-ended translations of the questionnaire.
- 6,900 telephone interviewsconducted in 23 European markets - Audience Match sources for a representative sample
- 15 languagesrendered by the translation services staff at Audience Match

An intriguing brand equity exercise that delves into the realms of brand loyalty, brand awareness, brand associations, and perceived quality, all of which contribute immense value to a company in various ways. Once a brand recognises the importance of brand equity, it can follow this roadmap to create and oversee that potential value. Conducted on behalf of a polymer business across various industrial sectors in 25 markets. Interviews were conducted with a wide range of stakeholders, including OEMs, manufacturers, fabricators, builders, installers, distributors, planners, architects, municipalities, and decision makers involved in purchasing, technical specifications, and procurement.
We constantly undertake market research with construction and industry specialists on several specific topics:
We constantly undertake market research with construction and industry specialists on several specific topics:
Retail:
- Small-scale independent grocery outlets
- Local boutique establishments specializing in clothing
- Specialized gift emporiums
- Hardware retailers catering to specific needs
Services:
- Local law practices
- Accountancy firms
- Consulting firms
- Marketing and advertising agencies
- Beauty salons and wellness centers
Food and Beverage:
- Independent cafés and coffeehouses
- Neighborhood eateries
- Catering establishments
Technology and IT:
- IT support and managed service providers
- Software development companies
- Digital marketing firms
- Emerging e-commerce ventures
Manufacturing and Production:
- Small-scale food processing businesses
- Artisanal craftsmanship studios (e.g., woodworking, metalworking)
- Garment and textile production enterprises
Healthcare:
- Private dental practices
- Physiotherapy clinics
- Local pharmacies
Agriculture:
- Family-operated agricultural enterprises
- Micro vineyards or wine producers
- Specialty agribusiness ventures (e.g., organic herb farms, apiaries)
Construction and Real Estate:
- Community construction companies
- Local realty agencies
- Residential and commercial property managers
Transportation:
- Neighborhood courier and delivery services
- Boutique charter airline operators
- Locally-owned taxi or ride-hailing companies
Arts and Entertainment:
- Privately-owned art galleries
- Event management firms
- Recording facilities
- Community theaters
Education and Training:
- Private tutoring or coaching academies
- Community vocational training centers
- Self-employed e-learning content developers
Tourism and Hospitality:
- Boutique bed and breakfast accommodations
- Community-based tour operators
- Small-scale adventure sports outfitters
User:
- When contemplating market research for SMEs (small to medium-sized enterprises), comprehension of the competition, the market, customer behavior, and prospective development opportunities are frequently the objectives.
Topics to Cover:
- Comprehension of market dynamics
- Assessment of market size and growth rate
- Segmentation of the market and identification of target audience
- Analysis of market trends and forecasting future developments
Customer Insights:
- Study of customer demographics and psychographics
- Analysis of buying behavior and decision-making processes
- Identification of customer needs, preferences, and pain points
- Evaluation of customer satisfaction and loyalty
Competitive Analysis:
- Identification of key competitors and their respective market shares
- Evaluation of competitors' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis)
- Assessment of competitors' unique selling propositions (USPs) and competitive advantages
Product and Service Feedback:
- Measurement of product/service usage and satisfaction levels among customers
- Gathering feedback on pricing strategies and perceived value
- Soliciting suggestions for product/service improvements or new ideas through customer feedback loops
Branding and Positioning:
- Brand awareness and perception
- Positioning in the market relative to competitors
Distribution Channels:
- Assessment of the effectiveness and reach of existing distribution channels
- Exploration of potential opportunities for new distribution methods or strategic partnerships
Pricing Strategy:
- Conducting price sensitivity analysis to understand customer reactions to pricing changes
- Identifying optimal pricing points and developing strategies to maximize profitability
Promotion and Advertising:
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of current marketing campaigns in reaching target audiences
- Soliciting feedback on promotional materials and advertising mediums to refine future strategies
Barriers to Entry:
- Identification and analysis of challenges encountered when entering or expanding within the market
- Assessment of regulatory, economic, and competitive barriers impacting market entry or expansion efforts
Types of Market Research:
- Qualitative Research
- In-depth Interviews: Conducting one-on-one interviews with stakeholders, customers, or industry experts to gather detailed insights.
- Focus Groups: Facilitating group discussions led by a moderator to delve into specific topics and gain diverse perspectives.
- Ethnographic Studies: Observing and immersing in customers' natural environments to understand their behavior, preferences, and needs.
- Quantitative Research
- Surveys and Questionnaires: Administering structured surveys to a larger audience, whether online, via phone, or in-person, to collect quantitative data on opinions, attitudes, and behaviors.
- Observational Research: Systematically observing and recording specific behaviors or actions in a given setting to quantify and analyze patterns.
- Secondary Research
- Industry Reports: Reviewing existing reports and publications to gather insights on market size, trends, and competitive landscape provided by industry experts.
- Competitor Analysis: Analyzing publicly available data and information to assess competitors' strategies, products, market positioning, and performance.
- Online Analytics: Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics or social media analytics to track and analyze online user behavior, engagement, and interactions.
- Experimental Research
- A/B Testing: Implementing two versions to compare performance and determine the most effective option, commonly utilized for marketing campaigns, website designs, or product features.
- Product Trials: Distributing samples or prototypes to gather feedback and evaluate consumer responses to new products or features before full-scale launch.
Analytical Tools:
- SWOT Analysis: Conducting an evaluation of internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, to inform strategic decision-making and planning.
- PESTEL Analysis: Examining external factors including Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal aspects to understand their impact on the business environment and identify potential opportunities and challenges.
- Performing market research can demand a significant investment of resources from SMBs, which are generally constrained by limited financial resources. However, by selecting the appropriate methods and subjects, one can gain insightful knowledge that can inform strategy and decision-making. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods frequently yields an all-encompassing comprehension of the market and the obstacles that need to be addressed.