Research on Main Street: Using the Web to Find Local Business and Market Information

In today’s global economy, businesses need targeted, localized information about customers, companies, and industries, but adding the element of geography to any search topic—especially for counties, cities, census blocks, or any other substate areas—makes any project more challenging. Aimed at tackling these issues head-on, this guide offers free and low-cost options for using the web to find business and market information about various places, usually on the substate geographic level. Revealing how to use local sources for more in-depth research into people, companies, and national issues, this resource offers a manageable structure for how to approach this type of research, key resources, and practical solutions to specific questions. Each chapter includes valuable “Tips from the Pros,” short sections spotlighting expert researchers’ advice for finding information about local demographics, economies, companies, people, and issues. A companion website can be found at www.ResearchOnMainStreet.com.

Marcy Phelps is the president of Phelps Research. She lives in Lakewood, Colorado. Mary Ellen Bates is the author of Building and Running a Successful Research Business. She lives in Longmont, Colorado.