Exceptional fieldwork services for international market research

International market research means market research across several countries, or market research in a different country to the one where you are based. Typically, international market research projects require the same methodology (e.g. focus groups, depth interviews, an online bulletin board or a survey) to be applied in several different countries.

International market research plays a vital role in helping organisations understand how their reputation stacks up across various regions. Through targeted surveys, in-depth interviews, or focus groups with local customers, partners, and industry professionals, companies can gain valuable insights into perceptions that might differ from country to country (or even city to city).

For example, a well-known brand such as Unilever or Samsung might discover that consumers in Germany view their sustainability credentials very differently than those in Brazil, or that overall satisfaction is higher in Paris than in Singapore. These findings allow organisations to identify markets where they are thriving and spot areas that might need greater attention. By gathering feedback from real people on the ground, international research enables you to adapt your messaging and strategies, address region-specific concerns, and ultimately build a stronger global presence.

The main challenges in conducting international market research are the need to adapt to different languages, different time zones, different ways of working, and different cultural norms. A good international market research partner will have hands-on experience of running research in all your countries of interest, and will be able to advise on local factors that should be taken into account, such as local holidays, work practices, and even daylight saving quirks.

Your partner should also be able to arrange any services that you may need, such as moderation by an experienced native speaker who lives in the country, simultaneous translation of research sessions (for the benefit of observers who don't speak the language) and miscellaneous translation and transcription services. In addition, maintaining a consistent research approach across countries is vital for reliable comparison. This includes everything from recruitment criteria to question phrasing and reporting style.

Running an international market research with a big global agency can be very expensive because they have high overheads. By working with an international fieldwork specialist, like FieldworkHub, you can lower your costs while still enjoying high levels of service and accessing robust insights in multiple markets.

Having one dedicated project manager co-ordinate your multi-country research project takes the hassle out of managing countless local vendors, time zones, and cultural differences. Instead of juggling conversations lots multiple markets – from São Paulo to Seoul – you have one central partner managing it all, turning what could be a logistical maze into a streamlined, efficient process. Here’s why this matters:

• Consistent communication: Rather than having to manage lots of separate email chains in several languages and time zones, you have clear, straightforward updates from a single partner.
• Simplified logistics: All the details are managed centrally, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
• Effortless Coordination: Our team will liaise directly with any local partners required in each country, so you only need to communicate with us. This keeps your project on track and your inbox under control.
• Peace of mind: With one reliable point of contact overseeing every step, you can focus on the research content and the results that matter for your business, knowing that all operational complexities are handled behind the scenes.

This approach not only saves you time but reduces the risk of misunderstandings and improves project consistency – making international research far less daunting, no matter how many borders you cross.

At FieldworkHub, we use the experience gained from running more than 175 international market research projects a year to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Our project managers have an excellent understanding of the factors to consider in different countries, from the languages in which research can be conducted and the time needed for recruitment, to local holidays and whether there is daylight saving time! We're always happy to share our advice, so if you are considering embarking on an international market research project, please get in touch.

Why FieldworkHub stands out for international research: When you’re looking to conduct research across borders, speed, reliability, and local expertise are crucial. We offer access to participants in over 60 countries, with consistent methodologies to ensure that your results are comparable from London to Jakarta and everywhere in between. Our team can arrange everything from native-speaking moderators and simultaneous translation for observers, to full translation and transcription services – so you don’t have to worry about language barriers or local customs getting in the way.

Global reach, local understanding: Whether you need to run surveys, set up focus groups, or conduct in-depth interviews, we manage every detail with precision. We help you plan your research timelines around local factors such as public holidays, recruitment nuances, and even daylight saving time changes, ensuring you get timely results without any surprises. Our approach means you can gather high-quality insights from multiple markets at once, saving you time and keeping your project on track.

Transparent and cost-effective: We know that budget predictability matters. That’s why we provide clear guidance on costs for each market and can help you plan your project with confidence – no hidden fees or unexpected expenses.

Ready to make your next international market research project seamless and successful? We’re here to help every step of the way!

Co-ordinating with suppliers across various markets can feel a bit like conducting an international orchestra – every section needs to play in harmony for your research to be successful. At FieldworkHub, we centralise communication by acting as your single point of contact throughout the project. This means you won’t be left to juggle emails from partners in Toulouse, Tokyo, and Toronto all at once.

We liaise directly with our trusted partners in each country, whether it’s a specialist B2B recruiter in France or a qualitative research moderator in Japan, managing all of the logistics, timelines and deliverables. Our project managers keep you updated with clear, consistent progress reports, so you always know exactly where things stand, no matter how many time zones your research spans. This streamlined approach saves you time, reduces miscommunication, and ensures your project runs smoothly from kick-off to completion.

We understand how important it is for your key stakeholders to have direct access to the research process. That’s why we work flexibly to arrange research sessions in different time zones at times that accommodate both participant availability and your team’s scheduling needs. Whether your stakeholders are in New York, Paris or Singapore, we so our best to ensure that research happens at times when they can join as observers.

If we can't make the timing work for all the stakeholders to observe the sessions as they happen, then of course we can record the sessions for viewing afterwards and we can provide the option to select the original language soundtrack or simultaneous translation into your observers' native language.