Q: I have not set up my business yet, but am currently working on my business plan, and need some help with my market research. My business would be designing web-sites for small businesses in Liverpool - where would I get information on small businesses that have/have not got web-sites?
Nicholas Jones of Nicholas Jones Associates replies: May I suggest that you first evaluate what type of small businesses you are going to target. For example, look at the various types/sectors say from Yellow Pages or Chamber of Commerce memberships.
For example, put yourself in the shoes of the owner of a typical business in each sector and consider how a website would benefit that business. For example, a city centre sandwich bar could well benefit by getting their existing and potential customers ordering from a selection of food offerings from their webpage. What would be the payback for the site investment in the site in terms of profits, increased business and maintaining existing business?
It is very important to have a focus rather than be 'all things to all men'.
In terms of getting information on which businesses 'have' or 'have not' got websites, a good route would be to use www.yell.co.uk. First select for example Furniture Shops in the 'I am looking for' field and put Liverpool in the 'Located in' field. You will then get a list of companies with all their details and an indication of whether or not they have a website. it is worth noting that even although a company does have a website, it could be well worth investigating the effectiveness of the respective website and making a proposal for its improvement from a sales generation perspective.
Please feel to contact me and let me know how you get on.
Q: I am trying to market to people who have purchased their council houses. Is there a register/list of ex-council properties.
Nicholas Jones of Nicholas Jones & Associates replies: You may be able to get some help from the housing department of the respective local councils. They should have a record of what has been sold as they have to account for their stock of council houses. However, detailed information may be difficult to obtain as they will be bound by the Data Protection Act. Although time consuming, you could develop your own list by surveying council estates by making a judgement of the state of individual properties as ex-council houses may well be in better condition. Another route may to be speak to organisations with good local knowledge such as local estate agents. Alternatively you could contact a professional 'List Broker'
If you would like to let me know a bit more about what you are looking to market, we would be pleased to comment further.
