Doing the Research Before Launching a New Product or Service


When it comes to creating new wholesale beading ideas, there is a certain amount of research and testing that needs to be carried out in order to determine if it's a good fit for your business. While your staff may be excellent at developing new ideas and products, not all of them may be viable options for your beading company at the current time.

Whether you want to introduce new jewelry-making supplies or a variety of beads to be used in your necklaces, bracelets and earrings, you'll need to research your idea to make sure that you aren't wasting your time and money. Here are some tips on how to test your new ideas and find out if they're worth incorporating into your business.
  • Understand your market

    Microsoft.com reports that market research is everything when it comes to making sure that a business idea doesn't become a flop. It's important to understand who you're marketing to, as well as whether your new goods and services will appeal to this group of individuals.

    If you haven't done research into your target market as of late, you may be surprised at what you find. Perhaps your key audience has grown, or maybe your beading is now in demand by an entirely different demographic. These type of changes can determine if rolling out a new idea is right for your company at the moment.
  • Keep an eye on your competitors

    You might think you have a terrific idea, but do you know if anyone else has already capitalized on it? Whether it's a new beading product or a specialized service, your competitors may have already jumped on it. More.com recommends doing a quick internet search to determine what similar companies are offering to your target audience. In the end, you might find that they're already capitalizing on your idea. Although this can be disheartening, it can prevent you from wasting time and effort.
  • Use your local resources

    This might seem like a dated technique, but visiting your library is one of the best things you can do to research your business ideas and explore them even further. Speak to your librarian and find out if there are any books on specific aspects of business that could help you along the way. Take diligent notes and brush up on your entrepreneurship skills--in the end, you'll at least come away with additional knowledge and fine-tuned business skills.
  • Speak to a financial expert

    Once you've determined that your business idea is viable and you've researched your competitors, you'll need to find out if your idea is within your budget. If you can't afford to produce your new item in large quantities or provide additional services to all of your customers, it might be out of the question altogether.

    AbilitiesFund.org recommends contacting an accountant or a financial advisor to help you determine if it's the right time to expand your product lines to customers. By working with a professional, you can also make sure that you won't end up in debt if you decide to follow through with a new idea.
  • Test your idea

    Prior to officially launching your idea, you'll want to try it out and see if it receives a warm reception by your target audience. This can be done through common methods such as phone and email services or test groups. See if you can find subjects to question in regard to your new products and services, or run a trial to determine how well your idea will fair once in the market. With the data you collect, you may decide to wait on launching a new beading item or service.
  • Determine how your goods and services are beneficial

    You might think your ideas are flawless, but do they actually serve a purpose to your customers? Even if you believe that your notions are perfect, they might not be right for the industry as it is at the moment. Entrepreneur.com reports that it's important to make sure that there's a demand for your goods and services. Whether it's a new type of beading or jewelry-making supplies, you need to ensure that it will sell once it's on store shelves, or you risk losing money.

    Although there is a certain amount of research and testing that needs to be done before you follow through with an idea, it can be well worth it in the end. Doing the work ahead of time can give you peace of mind and help you recognize the risks involved. As an entrepreneur, carrying out a new idea can be a learning experience.