Online market information

It helps to know where to start looking for market information - here are some hints and tips on useful sources of data.

Description

There are many sources of data available for 'desk research' and increasing access to online information and databases. Opportunities are only really limited by your imagination. Below are some basic sources of market data which could be a good starting point for any investigation:

• Business Monitor International - WEBSITE: www.businessmonitor.com
  Publisher of specialist business information on global emerging markets. Contains news, analysis, forecasts and data. Need to register and some information carries a cost.

• Unique and professional website templates. Vooweb - Website Templates offers a great variety of Website templates for business and personal use | If there has been no improvement since the beginning of your relationship with your SEO company, they need to explain why. Then you have a great seo Company working for you. If you don't want to do it yourself, an SEO company being paid monthly should detail exactly what they are doing for you. | Any link exchanges promising hundreds or links immediately upon joining should be avoided unless the only search engine you care about is MSN. Using a link exchange as the only way you get links will also not be a path you want to wander down. Exchanging links with every site under the sun is also bad.

  Office of National Statistics - WEBSITE: www.statistics.gov.uk
  The official UK statistics site. Free economic and social data. Includes data on a range of industries, crime, social issues, population, transport, tourism, education, health etc. There is access to a vast array of economic data, including a vast database of time-series data, useful for investigating social or manufacturing trends.

• Companies House - WEBSITE: www.companieshouse.gov.uk
  Access to all basic information on all registered companies. Free data includes nature of business (SIC codes), contact details and dates of last/next accounts. Can purchase further information, including accounts and general company information such as management and appointments.

• The Patent Office - WEBSITE: www.patent.gov.uk
  Search for old and recent patents submitted by your competitors. Information and on-line search for patents registered designs, copyright and trademarks.

• Trade Partners UK - WEBSITE: www.tradepartners.gov.uk
  Information for potential exporters, including market data for around the world

• National Institute for Economic & Social Research - WEBSITE: www.niesr.ac.uk
  Independent economic research. Generally macroeconomic data at a UK level, but good for establishing overall trends.

• KOMPASS - WEBSITE: www.kompass.com
  Excellent source of company data including management, turnover, address, employees, export sales, product types, trade names etc. Includes UK and overseas companies. Some information must be purchased.
  

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