The 5 best market research firms in Melbourne for smart business decisions
You might think you know your market, but a smart business doesn’t just guess.
In a fast-paced and packed city like Melbourne, consumers are becoming more diverse, and innovation is constant. So if you’re not listening well to your target audience, your competitors might.
If you want to beat them to it, you might want to start looking for the best market research firms in Melbourne.
How much does market research cost in Melbourne?
For small businesses, expect to pay from $150 to $390 for basic market research. For bigger companies and more extensive research methods, the cost can range between $20,000 and $3.3 million.
1. Focus People Pty Ltd
Address: 349/349-351 Bluff Rd, Hampton
Phone: +61395994200
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Focus People specializes in participant recruitment that covers a nationwide base, covering metro, regional, and rural Australia. Their team works around the clock, and can even extend hours for fast turnarounds, especially with urgent clients.
The company’s methods include focus groups, IDIs, product trials, UX, B2B, and more. They also assist with screener design, venue booking, and incentives.
While the company does not own its own observation facilities, it can coordinate venues and AV with partners, which shows their flexibility and cost-efficiency in this matter.
The company’s biggest strength lies in capturing a specific audience according to the niche segment.
Past clients frequently praise the quality of the company’s methods. During our interview with them, they mentioned that the team always conducts well-organized and interesting sessions.
Fantastic
“Focus on People is a fantastic market research company. They conduct interesting and well-organized surveys and always provide gift cards as a reward. Communication is clear and professional, making participation easy and enjoyable. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to share their opinions and be appreciated for their time!”
– Nitin Bhatia, Google Reviews
Great
I have recently become part of the Focus People research group network and have really enjoyed the experience. Interesting topics with lots of opportunities to participate. Staff and researchers have all been very friendly and professional too!!”
– Leigh Smith, Google Reviews
2. JB Market Research Services
Address: 236 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
Phone: +61416034025
Business hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
JB Market Research Services is a full-service provider with their own facility in Melbourne.
As the company targets both small and large brands, they offer a vast range of services, including recruitment, web streaming, and analysis/reporting.
The company’s market research methods are ideal for qualitative, in-depth brand or UX testing. They mostly recruit high-end respondents, so expect JB’s services to fall on the pricier side.
In Melbourne, JB’s facility has two rooms for discussion groups, complete with wireless internet, webcams, audiovisual equipment, and a client viewing area.
Many clients commend the team’s friendly attitude and professionalism. Not to mention the seamless service delivery every time.
Well-organized
“Great place and well-organized system inside this market research place.”
– Geetika Sachdeva, Google Reviews
Good people
“Good people. Give them your support.”
– Bruce Mitchell, Google Reviews
3. Your Source
Address: 3/1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone
Phone: +61395690333
Business hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Your Source facilitates many research methods, including focus groups, in-house tests, sensory evaluations, and more. They provide a national panel of over 140,000 participants.
The company holds an Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) accreditation, which means they can perform sensory tests that are helpful in food product market research.
Your Source will also manage the entire workflow: recruitment, scheduling, execution, data processing, analytics, and reporting. This is market research at its best—complex yet regulated and analytically driven.
Many past clients praise the team’s professionalism, as every session is always done on time, and the hands-on approach makes everything efficient and smooth.
However, small and low-budget ventures may find the company’s process to be extensive and overwhelming.
Great staff
“The staff here are very helpful and friendly. They have also been highly efficient with the running of these sessions, so they have usually ended up finishing earlier than scheduled and rarely, if ever, later than such. A big thumbs up to the team.”
– Phuc Dao, Google Reviews
Excellent
“A very well thought-out and extremely professional organisation that I’ve been employed by or through and doing everything to do with product taste testing and the like since I was first introduced to them at 18 years old so that’s more than 20+ years of trying out so much interesting and at other times really fascinating new lines or tastes for example. Keep up the good work, Your Source, you’ve helped me out just that little bit when it’s really helped me also.”
– Steve C, Google Reviews
4. SaySo – Consumer Online Community
Address: Level 1/299 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
Business hours: 24 hours
SaySo operates a hybrid market research firm focusing mostly on product trials, surveys, virtual or in-person focus groups, and sensory feedback.
What participants love the most about their studies is that they can get random and quirky. We’re talking about beer tasting, mystery boxes, and shopping-alongs.
These creative touches in the studies are what keep the people motivated to participate in them.
Here’s the thing though, SaySo’s studies are not for B2B, but rather, they’re more targeted toward mid-tier consumer feedback. Ideally, it’s for enterprises wanting to test consumer products, packaging, or branding.
Highly recommended
“I absolutely recommend this organisation based on my own personal dealings over many years. SaySo has at all times retained a high standard of ethics, proficiency, and transparency. Their friendly staff are on hand when required and emails are actioned promptly by well-trained, skilled and reassuring professionals.”
– Liz Thompson, Google Reviews
Great
“Arguably one of the most professional and accurate Communities available to all consumers with regard to communications and deliveries on promises that I have been involved with and have done so for many years now.”
– Catherine Anning, Google Reviews
5. MacInnis Marketing
Address: 20 Spark St, Murrumbeena
Phone: +61400507037
Business hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Over the course of 20 years, MacInnis was able to guide SMEs, government, health, and professional services through insight-driven strategies via their Simple Marketing System.
Their approach begins with research-based planning and then proceeds to active execution and measurement. They align client goals with current customer behavior to ensure that the strategies are empathetic and evidence-based.
MacInnis’ process includes studying buyer journeys, marketing campaigns, training in-house teams, and keeping customer-centric brands on target.
Rather than traditional fieldwork and testing, the company’s biggest strength lies in insights you can act on, and in the application of those actions.
According to clients, they were impressed by the team’s ability to help them understand customer perception rather than just assume it. The team is also praised for its efficiency, professionalism, and proactive approach.
Great support
“I wish I had found Danielle sooner for my business. She’s been a lifesaver for my business. She’s professional, extremely knowledgeable, has integrity, keeps me on track to achieve my goals, very trustworthy and reliable.”
– Amelia Dickison, Google Reviews
Loved working with them
“Danielle was so efficient, professional, and proactive. An absolute joy to work with, she provided fantastic ideas in a very fast turnaround time. I loved working with her and will definitely use her services again.”
– Stephanie Sandor, Google Reviews