ONLINE FOCUS GROUPS
The decision between online and offline focus groups depends on various factors such as research objectives and target audience. While traditional offline focus groups have been widely used in qualitative research, online focus groups have emerged as a newer methodology in market research. With the advancement of technology, the industry has had to adapt and explore alternative methods for gathering feedback. Online focus groups provide an interactive platform, typically through a software or website, where moderators can engage with participants who share their thoughts, videos, and images related to their customer experience.
What are the benefits of Online Focus Groups
What is the better option - online or offline focus groups?
Both online and offline focus groups have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between the two largely depends on the research objectives and the target audience.
Online focus groups are a newer methodology being utilized in market research. Traditional focus groups have long been a commonly used approach for qualitative research, and they might be the most well-known form of market research around. However, times have changed, and the industry is forced to reinvent and think of new ways to collect feedback.
Online focus groups are an interactive discussion board held on a software or website where moderators can interact with participants while they share comments, videos, and pictures about their customer experience (CX).
1 - Save on Travel Costs
Think about all of those cost savings on travel. Travel costs for the moderator. Travel costs for the analysts and note takers. Travel costs for you as the client to watch the groups live. The travel portion of the qualitative research can prove fun and eventful, but it is also a bulk of the cost involved with qualitative market research. With online focus groups, all efforts are centered around logging into online platform or website. No passport necessary.
2 - Save on Time
Without all of the planes, trains, and automobiles, think about the amount of time you can save using online focus groups. This is time better spent on recruiting strong individuals, prepping a good moderator's guide, and actively conducting research by moderating and viewing the focus groups live online. The whole process is way more efficient.
3 - Save on Stipends
By eliminating the need for participants to physically attend a facility, the reward payout can be significantly reduced. For instance, a $200 reward can be reduced to $100, or a $150 reward can be reduced to $75. Instead of asking participants to go through the hassle of traveling, finding directions, parking, or taking time off work, they can simply log in a few times a day over a span of 3 or 4 days on the online focus group board. This convenience makes it much easier for participants compared to facing rush hour traffic to reach a facility by 5:30 p.m.
4 - Save on Facility Costs
Since all interactions between the moderator, viewers, and participants take place online, there is no need for the additional expenses associated with a physical facility. While it may be challenging to replicate the personal and face-to-face contact of in-person focus groups, this becomes irrelevant if it is not crucial for your project or if your key customers are spread across the country. Online focus groups offer the advantage of saving on facility costs in such cases.
5 - Visibility from All
In a traditional focus group facility, accommodating 10 to 12 viewers in a client viewing room can be cramped, and fitting 30 participants into a room designed for 12 can be even more challenging. However, with online focus groups, these issues are eliminated. The groups can be much larger, often doubling or even tripling the size of a traditional 10-to-12-person group. Additionally, most online systems allow for unlimited or a large number of seats for client viewers, ensuring visibility for all.
Benefits Online Focus Group Firm
There are various reasons why online focus groups are preferred. Firstly, they provide convenience, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility to a wide range of participants who may be geographically dispersed. On the other hand, offline focus groups allow for face-to-face interaction, which can result in more comprehensive insights and a higher level of engagement among participants.
advantages and disadvantages
Both online and offline focus groups have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between the two largely depends on the research objectives and the target audience.
Online focus groups offer several benefits such as convenience, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility to a geographically dispersed audience. While offline focus groups, on the other hand, offer the advantage of face-to-face interaction, which can lead to more in-depth insights and a greater level of engagement among participants.
Pros & Cons
There are pros and cons to both online and offline focus groups, and the decision on which to choose depends on the research goals and the intended audience. Online focus groups provide convenience, cost savings, and the ability to reach a wider geographic audience. On the other hand, offline focus groups allow for face-to-face interaction, which can result in deeper insights and increased participant engagement.