Leveraging Technology to Improve Consumer Research

By  //  May 9, 2023

As the world becomes increasingly digital, businesses constantly seek new and innovative ways to improve their consumer research efforts.

Leveraging technology is one such way,  and with the advancements in AI and machine learning, businesses have more tools than ever to gain insights into their target markets. 

Here are some ways that businesses can leverage technology to improve their consumer  research efforts: 

Online Surveys 

Online surveys are popular for collecting consumer feedback, but traditional survey methods can take time and effort. Businesses can automate the survey process by leveraging technology, making it faster and more efficient. 

One way to achieve this is by using chatbots to conduct surveys. Chatbots can be programmed to ask consumers specific questions and adapt the questions based on the consumer’s responses. This makes the survey process more engaging for consumers and can improve response rates. Furthermore, businesses can use AI to analyze survey responses and gain deeper insights into consumer sentiment. 

Eye Tracking 

Eye tracking is a technology that uses cameras to track the movement of a person’s eyes as they look at a particular product or advertisement. This can give businesses valuable insights into how consumers interact with their products or marketing campaigns. 

For example, a car manufacturer can use eye-tracking technology to understand how consumers look at the features of their new car model. This can help them optimize the placement of key components and improve the car’s overall design. 

A/B Testing 

A/B testing compares two versions of a product or advertisement to see which performs better. By leveraging technology, businesses can automate the A/B testing process, making it faster and more efficient. 

For example, an e-commerce business can use A/B testing to compare two versions of their website’s checkout process. They can test variables such as the placement of buttons, the wording of messages, and the color of the buttons to see which version results in a higher conversion rate. 

Facial coding 

Facial coding technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze facial expressions and movements. By tracking micro-expressions, facial coding can identify emotions such as joy, sadness, anger, surprise, and disgust. By capturing these emotional responses,  researchers can better understand how consumers react to various products, services, and advertising messages. 

For example, a consumer research platform uses facial coding technology to test the packaging design of a new product. By analyzing participants’ facial expressions as they 

interact with the packaging, the researchers can identify which elements of the design are most appealing and which are off-putting. This information can then be used to create more attractive packaging for consumers. 

Voice tonality 

Voice tonality analysis is another technology that is gaining popularity in consumer research.  This tool uses AI to analyze the tone, pitch, and rhythm of someone’s voice. By examining these elements, researchers can identify emotional states such as confidence, enthusiasm, or boredom. 

For example, we can use voice tonality analysis to evaluate customer service interactions. By analyzing the tone and pitch of the customer and the representative, the researchers can identify which interaction elements lead to positive outcomes and adverse effects. This information can then be used to improve customer service training and protocols. 

Advantages of Leveraging Technology in Consumer Research 

  • Increased speed and efficiency: With the right tools and technology, researchers can collect, analyze, and report on data much faster than traditional methods. This allows companies to make more informed decisions about their products, services,  and marketing strategies. 
  • Greater accuracy and reliability: Technology can help to eliminate errors and inconsistencies in data collection and analysis, leading to more accurate and reliable results. This is especially true when using automated tools and algorithms to analyze large data sets. 
  • Improved scalability and reach: Technology can help companies reach a more extensive and diverse group of consumers and collect and analyze data on a larger scale. This allows for more comprehensive insights and a better understanding of consumer behavior and preferences. 
  • Cost savings: While some upfront costs may be associated with implementing new technology and tools for consumer research, these can often be offset by the cost savings that come with faster, more efficient data collection and analysis. 

In conclusion, leveraging AI technology for consumer research can provide businesses with valuable insights into their target markets, improve the accuracy of their research efforts, and help them make informed decisions about their products and marketing strategies.

By using online surveys, eye tracking, A/B testing, facial coding, and voice tonality, businesses can gain a competitive advantage in today’s digital world.