Find Books

This section will introduce several "how-to" books on business to help you get started with your research. These books will primarily introduce you to business plan writing. These books will also introduce general business types such as retail and service business models.

 

Find Books Using Relevant Subject Headings

• User-centered system design
• Human-computer interaction — Vocational guidance
• Web site development industry -- Management.
• Web publishing – Management. 
• Web site development
• Web sites -- Design.
• Web sites -- Design -- Marketing.
• Business planning.
• New business enterprises -- Management.
• Small business -- Management.

 

Google Books 
Google Books is a search feature offered by Google. It enables users to search the full text of approximately 10 million books that Google has scanned and stored in its digital database. It also offers previews of books that are currently still in print.

Worldcat 
A global catalogue of library collections from various libraries around the world. You can search for books on business planning, new enterprises, start-ups, or your specific industry. You can search for all the locations with copies of a specific item, and then locate the item in a nearby library. In Worldcat, you can also view research articles and other digital content directly online.

 

 

illume
A search portal to BC's post-secondary and public library collections (93 libraries). 

Find Business Plans

In the page below you will find examples of successful business plans. Researching your business plan can be a very time-consuming experience, but it is an essential and worthwhile investment. Your business plan will become your most important day to day operating tool. The information resources and strategies in this guide will help you create an effective plan and increase your chances for business success.

Review Sample Plans for Ideas

Most books about starting a business will include examples of business plans, as well as business planning templates. In addition to books, online business resources frequently include sample business plans. Here are a few to get you started.

 

Business Plans

Bplans.com
This site offers a selection of free sample business plans, as well as articles on business planning. Bplans.com also sells business planning software.

• Print Shop Website Business Plan
• Investment Website Business Plan
• Real Estate Website Business Plan
• Children's Website Business Plan
• Educational Website Business Plan
• Tourism Website Business Plan
• Online Services Business Plan

 

Business Plans Handbook, Gale Publishing
This is a database of actual business plans written by North American entrepreneurs seeking financing for their businesses. Includes examples of many start-up business ideas. Access is available through many BC public libraries, made possible by a generous donation from the Sutherland Foundation. Affiliates of UBC can start here.

• Web Design Business Plan - Web Wizard
• Web Designer Business Plan - Portal Code, Inc. 
• Web Development Business Plan - Lisa Sparks Interactive
• Web Site Improvement Business Plan - Optimal Web Technologies, Inc. 
• Internet Consultant Business Plan - Allen Consulting
• Internet Consulting Business Plan - Worldwide Internet Marketing Services
• Internet Software Company Business Plan - Poggle, Inc.
• E-Commerce Website Producer Business Plan - Internet Capabilities

 

TIP: You may not find exactly the right business plan for you on Bplans.com or in the Gale Handbook. Search the web using keywords such as “website business plan template” or “web development business plan template” for more resources, such as this template from Hook Agency.

 

SCORE
SCORE is a non profit association helping small businesses. Their library includes templates for business plans, SWOT analysis, financial projections and more.

 

Business Plan Template And Cash Flow Forecasting Tool
Our friends at Small Business BC provide two valuable tools in one download: the first is a well-structured business plan template that will help communicate what you plan to do, and how you plan to do it, while the second is a spreadsheet you can fill in to, among other things, project costs and expenses using common line items. These tools will set you on your way to being able to present your business plan to funders. 

 

Marketing Plans

Marketing Plan Outline from Government of Canada |This Government of Canada page reviews the components of a marketing plan and why a marketing plan is necessary for your small business. 

BDC Marketing Plan Template | This comprehensive marketing plan template from BDC is for Canadian entrepreneurs specifically and includes all the important sections of a marketing plan, including an executive summary, identification of your target customer, and how you'll measure your sales.

Small Business BC - How to Write a Marketing Plan
This guide shows you how to develop a marketing plan that includes details like how you intend to meet your customers’ needs and communicate the benefits of your products or services to them. When making any decisions about market positioning, pricing, promotions, and sales, your customers should always be top of mind.

 

Find Capital

In this section you will find links to information on funding for your business. No business can function without money to pay for overhead expenses and production or product costs. It is also unusual for a business founder to have the capital to fully fund their business. The sources in this section will help you consider the best source of funding for your business.

 

Other Suggestions for Obtaining Capital

With proper planning and a few resources to guide you on your way, identifying and securing capital to start and grow your business becomes a much smoother and gentler process. There are several ways to secure the capital needed to fund your business.

 

Government Funding

This is money that the government gives you to fund your business, based on your application to the funding grant. There are other types of government assistance you might wish to explore here: Business Grants and Financing.

Personal Savings

This involves saving your money from your current employment to invest in your business.

Personal Loans

This option means using your personal credit to secure a loan or using your personal credit card for business expenses.

Crowdfunding/Micro-Lending

Crowdfunding and micro-lending are both alternative ways of raising capital that involve having large groups of people pre-buy your product before it is launched or loan you small amounts that you can then use to finance your business.

Private Financing/Equity Financing

This type of financing comes in the form of loans from banks or individuals. It is obtained through your business’ credit availability or through providing equity in your business in exchange for money. This financing involves going into debt or giving up some control of your business.

Below, we have some resources that can help you find funding options for your business:

• Fundica
• Funding and Grants Database
• Innovation Canada

Industry Codes: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

At the start of your research, it may not be clear what specific industry you should be examining. A good strategy is to find out if your business idea is classified in an industrial classification system. These systems organize industries by assigning them a numeric code. The most commonly used system is the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Once you know your Industry Classification Code you can use this number to:

• Find industry-specific statistics on government websites or in library databases
• Generate lists of competitors in company directories

Another common classification system is the Standard Industry Code (SIC). NAICS have mostly replaced the SIC, but the SIC is still used by some commercial databases. Finding and using these classification systems to effectively search can be tricky, so don't hesitate to ask a librarian for help.

Start With These Suggestions

​​

Search or browse all NAICS or SIC codes on the NAICS Association website. Some NAICS codes are different in Canada — you can search by keyword or browse Canadian NAICS codes at Statistics Canada or Canadian Industry Statistics. To search for a SIC code using a NAICS code and vice versa, use the NAICS & SIC Crosswalks.   

For more information about planning your industry research, including identifying your industry codes, check out the video tutorial for Module 3: Planning Your Industry Research.

Library Databases

The Expensive World Of Business Information

Believe it or not, you cannot find everything on Google! Have you ever done an online search and found the perfect industry report only to find that it costs over $5,000? Did you know that libraries pay for many expensive databases that could be helpful in your secondary market research? 

Search engines like Google can only provide direct access to freely available information. Most of the web, including business information, lives in databases behind expensive paywalls. This paywall-protected section of the Internet is known as the deep web. Fortunately, some libraries pay to subscribe to databases so they can provide free access to their patrons — and many business databases can contain useful information such as articles, market research, and company reports.

There are several strategies you can use to access relevant business information on the deep web. First, we urge you to look up what business resources your local public or academic library can provide access to. Each database has its own arrangement, with unique interfaces and search features. It helps to know the structure and search terms of the specific database you are working with in order to retrieve effective results. 

Also, it is important to know that library databases are restricted by specific usage agreements. It can help to consult with a librarian if you have trouble navigating a specific database. They may also be able to help you find comparable information elsewhere. Libraries with robust business collections might have useful e-books, directories and trade journals. As you conduct your secondary market research you will likely need to consult both free and deep web resources.

For more information about how and why to use business databases, check out our video tutorial, Module Four: Conducting Your Industry Research.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Provincial Library Database Partners

How to access: Check out the database list and note the License Participants to find out which institutions have access. Otherwise, contact your local post-secondary library to see what they offer.

BC Electronic Library Network (ELN) Research Databases

ELN licenses databases with partner academic libraries. These include LexisNexis, Canadian Newsstream, Hoovers, CBCA Business, ABI/INFORM Complete and others that may be of interest to business researchers.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• (2022, Oct 10).  Web development market [2022-2029] size, share, growth | demand insights, on-going trends, key players, segmentation, revenue and gross margin, key findings, recent developments and forecast research | industry research biz: Web development market report focuses on the web development market size, segment size (mainly covering product type, application, and geography), competitor landscape, recent status, and development trends. furthermore, the report provides detailed cost analysis, supply chain. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2022, Feb 04). Global website builders industry worth $2.7 billion by 2026 - COVID-19 pandemic transforms the web development industry. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2019, Aug 14). The best custom website design companies from around the world, according to DesignRush: DesignRush discovered the top website design and development agencies who can build custom platforms for businesses of all industries, successfully solving online solutions and fostering business growth. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2021, Oct 12). Intetics new slide website sets the standard of excellence across the web development industry winning 3 WebAwards 2021 in 3 categories: Intetics new slide website sets the standard of excellence across the web development industry. the awardee of 3 WebAwards 2021 and a winner in 3 categories, Intetics Inc. is a leading global technology company providing custom software application development. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2020, Jun 12). The top small business & custom website design and development companies, according to web design agency rating platform: WebDesignCompanies.com identified the top companies that have the skills and experience to help brands with small business and custom website design and development. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• Jeon, M. M., & Jeong, M. (2017). Customers' perceived website service quality and its effects on e-loyalty. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 29(1), 438-457. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2022, Sep 18). WP creative shakes up web development industry with customer-centric rebrand. PR Newswire Asia. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2022, Jul 26). Cloudmellow expands into the Atlanta market through the acquisition of award winning website design and digital marketing company, the creative momentum. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2022). Adrants: Role of ecommerce and web development in the growth of business. Chatham: Newstex. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• Ivan, I., & Despa, M. L. (2016). Estimating maintenance cost for web applications. Informatica Economica, 20(4), 34-43. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2021, Sep 21). Nebula academy creates momentous job opportunities and recognized by newsweek as a top coding school: Nebula Academy, a national provider of workforce training programs that includes full stack web development, tech support and tech sales, announced their recognition in newsweek as a top coding school. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2021, Sep 20). Coforma designs multilingual together.gov website for family reunification task force: Veteran, minority, and immigrant-owned small business Coforma provided UX design, content strategy, and front-end development for the together.gov website to help the family reunification task force bring families separated by the zero tolerance policy back together again. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.

 

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

• Squarespace, Inc. 

 

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

• BCC Publishing. (2021, February). Web Content Management: Global Markets. [Report Code IFT217A]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• BCC Publishing. (2019, September). Content Delivery Networks: Global Markets. [Report Code IF095B]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• TBRC. [2018, January]. Software and BPO Services Global Market Briefing 2018 Report. [Report Code MKB109B]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Kay, M. (2021). How to Write a Website Design Brief. Information Today, 38(6), 34–35.
• Nielsen, K. (2020). Less Is More: Optimizing websites Through Design. Dealer Magazine, 27(4), 34. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Stolle, M. (2020). Website design, refresh and redesign — should you DIY or outsource to an expert? Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker, 672, 75–76. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• ​​Jongmans, E., Jeannot, F., Liang, L., & Dampérat, M. (2022). Impact of website visual design on user experience and website evaluation: the sequential mediating roles of usability and pleasure. Journal of Marketing Management, 1–36. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Molinillo, S., Aguilar-Illescas, R., Anaya-Sánchez, R., & Liébana-Cabanillas, F. (2021). Social commerce website design, perceived value and loyalty behavior intentions: The moderating roles of gender, age and frequency of use. Journal of Retailing & Consumer Services, 63. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Hsieh, H. C. L., & Yang, H.-H. (2020). Incorporating gamification into website design to facilitate effective communication. Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 21(1), 89–111. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Grange, C., & Barki, H. (2020). The Nature and Role of User Beliefs Regarding a Website’s Design Quality. Journal of Organizational & End User Computing, 32(1). Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Wright, L. B., Haug, J. C., & Huckabee, A. (2019). Blueprint for Retail Website Design: Attracting and Retaining Millennial Online Shoppers. Journal of Internet Commerce, 18(2), 170–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Graham, T., & Henman, P. (2019). Affording choice: how website designs create and constrain “choice.” Information, Communication & Society, 22(13), 2007–2023. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Wilson, N., Keni Keni, & Pattyranie Tan, P. H. (2019). The Effect of Website Design Quality and Service Quality on Repurchase Intention in the E-commerce Industry: A Cross-Continental Analysis. Gadjah Mada International Journal of Business, 21(2), 187–222. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Haq, N. U., Raja, A. A., Nosheen, S., & Sajjad, M. F. (2018). Determinants of client satisfaction in web development projects from freelance marketplaces. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 11(3), 583–607. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Louf, L. (2018). Freelance Web Developer: How to be Well Protected? PM World Journal, 7(1), 1–10. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.

 

First Research Industry Profiles

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, or faculty you can access many of these reports through ABI/INFORM and/or Business Market Research Collection (Proquest).

Covers over 900 industry segments. Updated on a quarterly basis, these industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help you engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships. You can search for reports by NAICS, SIC or keyword or browse by category.

• (2022) Development Tools, Operating Systems, & Utilities Software - Quarterly Update 10/31/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
• (2022) Computer Software - Quarterly Update 12/5//2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• Egan, S. (2022, February). Web Design Services in the US. US SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY REPORT OD4586 | TECHNOLOGY. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Al Bari, S. (2022, May). Website Creation Software Developers in the US. US SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY REPORT OD5816 | TECHNOLOGY. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, August). IT Services: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database. 

 

Business Market Research Collection (Proquest)

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Business Market Research Collection brings together four sources to help students more easily conduct the research they need to produce business plans, marketing plans, startup plans, market growth analysis, and strategic and financial plans. Includes access to: Hoover's Company Profiles, OxResearch, Barnes Reports, and the older Snapshots Series, which includes market research overviews on over 40 industries and 40 countries to 2008.

• (2022) Development Tools, Operating Systems, & Utilities Software - Quarterly Update 10/31/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
• (2022) Computer Software - Quarterly Update 12/5//2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.

 

Statista

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

A simple to use statistics portal that integrates statistics from thousands of sources, on topics related to business, media, public policy, health and others. Statistics can be exported in PPT, XLS, PDF, and PNG formats. Some basic content available for free.

• Vailshery, L. S. (2022, September 6). Total number of web developer and digital interface designer jobs in the United States 2022-2032. CompTIA. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Valishery, L. S. (2022, August 9). Most popular frameworks among web developers worldwide 2022. Statista Research Department. Retrieved by Statista database. 

 

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• (2021). Ping: Chief Identity Champion. WARC Awards for Effectiveness. Retrieved from WARC database.
• Furmidge, L. How to align sustainability, e-commerce, and great user experiences. WARC Exclusive. Retrieved from WARC database.  
• Ewer, K. (2017, September). How to use design in today’s fragmented media mix. WARC Best Practice. Retrieved from WARC database. 
• Sedona, J. How to measure design’s contribution to brand growth. WARC Best Practice. Retrieved from WARC database. 

 

Newspapers and News Sources - UBC Library Research Guide

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link below. Individual resources and databases will have different access requirements.

UBC Library has an excellent collection of current and historical newspapers from B.C., Canada, and around the world. UBC affiliates will have access to these resources.

• Arendt, J. (2019, May 30). Web design a constantly changing field for johnson. Summerland Review. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• Casey, Q. (2015, Dec 22). Reimagining web design; PageCloud's goal: Render the likes of WordPress obsolete. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• (2021, Jun 22). Nixa named for best web development firm in Canada for 2021. Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• (2021, June 25). Electronic Coating Technologies unveils new brand identity & website introduces modern logo, improved collateral, and enhanced website design and functionality. National Post (Toronto). Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• CIPR communications wins two web marketing association WebAwards in 2021 for website development in collaboration with indigenous clients in the tourism sector. (2021, Sep 28). Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• Lindzon, J. (2021, July 21). I want to be a front-end developer. What will my salary be?: Front-end developers are the go-to people for website design, coding language translation. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• (2021, February 21). Digital design and web development skills can make it easier to land a job over the next few years. National Post (Toronto). Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• (2021, July 27). Cloudbeds launches websites, A complete website design and development solution provides independent hoteliers inviting, informative, and intuitive websites to attract guests and increase revenues by up to 20% with direct bookings. National Post (Toronto).  Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• (2019, Dec 16). 2 in 3 companies in Canada plan to expand creative teams in first half of 2020, survey finds. Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.  

Industry News

In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.

 

Associations

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

Canadian Associations

The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) | The GDC has been setting the standards for design professionals since 1956. Check out their News & Events page to get involved with their work. 

VIATEC (Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council) | VIATEC is an association that serves the Greater Victoria technology community. They aim to create “the most cohesive tech community in the world” by offering a variety of programs, services, and advocacy, as well as their own flexible workspace at Fort Tectoria. Check out their Short and Sweet E-Bulletin to sign up for their newsletter.

International Associations

The American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) | ASIS&T is a society for information professionals leading the search for new and better theories, techniques, and technologies to improve access to information. Check out the publications in their Digital Library.

International Webmasters Association (IWA) | The IWA is a non-profit professional association, and is a recognized leader in providing educational and certification standards for Web professionals. Check out the Industry Standards page.

Internet Society (ISOC) | The ISOC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 to provide leadership in Internet related standards, education, and policy. They aim to utilize the Internet to make the world a better place; check out their data-driven sources on measuring the impact of the Internet. 

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) | W3C is an international community where member organizations, a full-time staff, and the public work together to develop web standards.

 

Magazines & Trade Journals

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

.net Magazine | .net is the world’s best-selling magazine for web designers and developers, featuring tutorials from leading agencies, interviews with the web’s biggest names, and features on the hottest issues affecting the internet today.

Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology (JASIST) | JASIST is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal that aims to build intellectual leadership through discussion, research, and development within subjects of information science and technology. UBC affiliates and in-person library patrons can learn more about accessing this resource at the UBC Library.

Gadget Magazine | Gadget features the latest tech products and trends and explains how they work. Check out their tutorials for how-to guides for design and coding projects.

Journal of Information Architecture | Published irregularly, the Journal of Information Architecture is an international peer-reviewed scholarly journal. Its aim is to facilitate the development of the scientific body of knowledge in the field of information architecture.

Smashing Magazine | The editors of Smashing Magazine cover both non-technical and technical topics in web design, from taking the stress out of design system management to designing accessible front-end responsive tables. The magazine offers an impressive array of resources, including articles, books, conferences, and workshops, on web design and development. 

Website Magazine | Website Magazine, led by 20-year industry veteran Pete Prestipino, covers design, psychology, marketing, user experience, analytics, and more for the largest community of digital professionals on the Web. 

Web Designer Magazine | Web Designer Magazine offers byte-sized tips and tricks for programming responsive design and a good user experience with several of the most common coding languages.

 

Consultant & Other Websites

MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.

PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.

Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.

• Internet Content
• Communications 
• Design
• Back-End Developers
• Full-stack Developers and Engineers
• Javascript Developers
• Internet Developers
• Internet Consultants
• Webmasters

Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.

• Fastest-Growing Industries: Digital Entertainment and Interactive Media
•  Fastest-Growing Industries: Tech

 

Blogs, Podcasts & Discussion Forums

Blogs

Smashing Magazine | This popular site- also a magazine- features posts on all aspects of graphics, coding, and design, and includes resources on UX/UI Design, WordPress, Coding, and Photoshop.

Treehouse | A community for web designers and developers that includes articles and video tutorials on topics such as: HTML, CSS, Ruby on Rails, and jQuery.

Webdesigner Depot | This blog is a joint effort and collaboration between leading designers from around the world.

SitePoint | SitePoint is a no-fuss, one-stop shop for web design topics and introductions to various parts of web design and development. Its recent topics include an introduction to the container platform Docker, an introduction to the uses of Python, and the best APIs for developers.

CSS-Tricks | CSS Tricks hosts a wealth of articles and videos pertaining to the usage of CSS for front-end web development. Check out their extensive almanac for terminology or connect to the community run by their parent company, DigitalOcean.

David Walsh Blog | David Walsh, senior software engineer at MetaMask and former senior software engineer at Mozilla, shares his decades of expertise in web design and development, including his philosophy and approach, with a special focus on his area of interest, front-end technologies and libraries. 

 

Podcasts

Developer Tea | Started in 2015 with a mission to “help engineers find clarity, perspective, and purpose in regular short bursts of high-quality content”, Developer Tea offers gems on everything from not fearing AI taking coding jobs to focusing on your daily influence.

Front End Happy Hour | Front End Happy Hour features software engineers from Twitch, Netflix, and Atlassian discussing how to develop one’s career as well as technical topics like Javascript. Recent episodes have discussed the impact of the late 2022 layoffs across the tech industry on morale and the difference between public and private sector tech. 

Complete Developer Podcast | The Complete Developer Podcast aims to cover the aspects of a programmer’s life that aren’t about languages or coding. Friends BJ and Will bring their respective strengths to this endeavor, talking about both specific frameworks and the larger issues that affect coders.

Talk Python to Me | Talk Python To Me is a weekly podcast hosted by developer and entrepreneur Michael Kennedy. He brings on experienced software developers, hobbyists, observers, data scientists, and more industry professionals to dive deep into the popular packages for Python and the incredible things done with them. 

JavaScript Jabber | JavaScript Jabber is a weekly discussion led by top-end JavaScript developers, talking about all things front-end programming. Recent topics include a primer on what is and is not front end programming, and how to recession-proof one’s job. 

The Changelog | A bit broader in its coverage than just website design and development, The Changelog bills itself as a “polyglot podcast” with “conversations with the leaders, hackers, and innovators of the software world”. It’s a great podcast to keep up with the changing world of software overall; check out their Monday roundups for short primers on what’s happening in this world. 

 

Discussion Forums

Stack Overflow | Stack Overflow aims to build the definitive database of coding questions and answers. Use the link above to sign up through Facebook. 

Graphic Design Forum - Web Design | GDF is one of the largest graphic design forums with over 20,000 members.

Sitepoint Forum | A community of about 250,000 members discussing topics such as coding, marketing, accessibility, etc.

 

TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.

 

Government Websites

In this section we have gathered some of the most reliable freely available online government and employment websites for you to use in your research.

 

Canadian Websites

BC Stats | Current reports and statistics from British Columbia's central statistical agency including labour market information, economic statistics and bankruptcies. Start by searching their Industry section and narrowing by industry type or go to the Business, Industry & Trade page to skim all the different business-related topics.

 

Government of Canada - Business and Industry | The Government of Canada's comprehensive page for business and industry guides you through important information on starting a business. You will find necessary permits and information on tax and regulation, as well as advice on how to protect your intellectual property through copyright or trademark, a primer for selling to the federal government, information on importing and exporting goods, and advice on managing and protecting your business operations. 

• Starting a business 
• Overview of federal government Services for Small Business

 

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

• Types of web presence by industry and size of enterprise
• Reasons for not having a web presence by industry and size of enterprise

 

Canadian Industry Statistics (CIS) - Industry Canada | CIS analyses industry data on many economic indicators using the most recent data from Statistics Canada. CIS looks at industry trends and financial information, such as GDP, Labour Productivity, Manufacturing and Trade data.

• 5415- Computer systems design and related services
• 54151- Computer systems design and related services

 

City of Vancouver’s Open Data Portal

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link above and is free to use.

The Government of Canada routinely collects vast quantities and kinds of information on a diverse spectrum of topics. Now the City of Vancouver is making this information available to the public in a single concise searchable portal called Open Data 101. This data is accessible to the public and structured in an easy to understand format.

• Business licenses

 

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
Provides market research, industry statistics, licensing information for intellectual property, and information about doing business internationally. The Industry Canada site features interactive applications such as customizable trade reports, cost calculators, and online business planning guides. You can also search broad Canadian industry statistics.

 

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

 

WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.

• NOC 2175 - Web designers and developers

 

US & International Websites

Small Business Administration: Free Small Business Data
This site is created and managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides a list of free sources of information that you can use to obtain data about markets in the US.

 

Regulations

Learn More About Compliance Issues

When it comes to starting a business, one of the first decisions you need to make is the legal structure of your business - sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited company. You'll also need to register your business and you'll need to be aware of many municipal, provincial or federal regulations. The websites in this section will help you.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada - Permits and Licenses Search

Search for the permits and licenses applicable to your industry and location to meet all federal, provincial and municipal regulations.

 

General Business Resources

BizPaL
This is the one-stop website to assist Canadian businesses that are just starting up, or expanding into new areas. BizPaL asks you a short series of questions about the nature and scope of your current or proposed business. Based on your answers, BizPaL provides you with a customized list of government permits and licences that you may require to operate your business. All of the information that you provide is kept anonymous, and you may save or print your results for future reference.

 

Canada Revenue Agency - Business
This section of the Canadian federal tax agency's website contains important taxation and documentation requirements that businesses operating in Canada must adhere to.

• Keeping records
• Business Number (BN) registration
• Business expenses

 

Small Business BC (SBBC)
SBBC is a great place to start for information on BC specific regulations and guidelines, for whatever stage you are in your business development. This is a great post on the topic.

 

The Province of British Columbia
Provides information on programs and resources available to small business owners in British Columbia. Includes information on taxes and industry regulations. Start with the Permits, Licences & Registrations section.

 

BC Business Registry

British Columbia's online Business Registry is a self-serve application allowing small business owners to complete provincial registrations or incorporations of their business, file name requests on behalf of their business, and store maintenance filings required by British Columbia. Anyone with a BC Registries account may also search for existing businesses and clients, providing access to business information and filings for co-operatives, benefit companies, sole proprietorships, and general partnerships. Use the Business Structures Wizard to help you!

Tips on Company Research

An in-depth investigation and analysis of your competition is one of the most important components of a comprehensive market analysis. A competitive analysis allows you to assess your competitors' strengths and weaknesses in the marketplace, and to implement effective strategies to improve your competitive advantage. Here are some research strategies for doing your competitive analysis:

• Company directories can be used to create lists of competitors by industry, product line, size, etc.
• Doing a company name search in a general research database is an excellent way to learn more about your competitor’s products, services, prices, and media coverage.
• If your competitors are public companies, learn more about them by reading their financials and annual reports.
• News archives provide a range of competitive information on both public and private companies.
• Patents are a good way to learn about the technical and design features of a competitor's products. You can refer to this UBC Library Research Guide, created by UBC Engineering Librarians, if you are looking for patent information. Most of the resources listed are freely available.

For information on primary and secondary market research, as well as common sources for secondary market research, watch our video tutorial Module One: Introduction To Market Research.

Finding information on public companies is considerably easier than finding information on privately-held companies. Information on public companies is readily available online, or at your local library. Another good starting point is the list of resources in the next section of this Accelerator Guide: Find Competitors. Unlike public companies, private companies are not required to file with the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). Searching for private company information is considerably more difficult and will require a lot of patience, and a healthy dose of creativity. 

Find Competitors

Learning About Competitors

To create a list of competitors and find basic information about them (e.g. number of employees, contact information) you will need to consult business directories. Many directories are available online for free, while others are fee-based commercial databases. You can find directories that are particular to an industry or geography. Your local library will likely have a good collection of directories that you can consult in person.

For further information about secondary market research, see our video tutorial Module Two: Secondary Market Research for Industry Analysis.

If you know of some public companies in your industry, then annual reports can provide a great deal of useful financial information including sales volume, revenue increases, and total market share. You can search the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) for Canadian Company filings. If the competitor you are researching does business in the US, then you search the Security and Exchange Commissions equivalent, EDGAR, which provides free public access to corporate information including financial information and operations by reviewing registration statements, prospectuses and periodic reports filed on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. You also can find information about recent corporate events reported on Form 8-K that a company does not have to disclose to investors. You can use advanced search features to search by Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes.

 

Free Business Directories

CanadaOne - Canadian Business Directory
CanadaOne has a directory of over 20,000 Canadian businesses.

• Fern Web Design Services
• About Time Web Design
• 123 Marketing- Web Design Nanaimo
• Atomic 55- Kelowna Web Design

Federal Corporations Data Online 
Free searchable database of federally incorporated/registered companies.

Frasers
A comprehensive industrial directory and search tool, with information on products and services provided by Canadian industrial wholesalers, manufacturers, and distributors. You can search by product name, company name, or brand name.

• Web Design Suppliers 
• Web Design Software Suppliers

D&B Hoovers
Provides information on 18 million US and international companies, both public and private. D&B Hoovers' reports are generated quickly, and are easy to read. A fair amount of information is provided for free, but much more is available with a paid subscription. If you know the company name or ticker symbol of any of the key players in your industry, try searching for their Hoovers records to find key information. Use the link above for free information or contact your local library to see if they provide access. Affiliates of UBC may have access. 

• Atomic Crayon Web Development Ltd. 
• Next Designs Web Development Inc. 
• Golden Pinecone Web Development Inc. 

Proprietary Business Directories

Business in Vancouver, Book of Lists
Comprehensive collection of BC business data compiled annually as the popular BIV Book of Lists. Provides data on over 1000 companies including: websites, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, top executives' names, company age, revenues, profits and much more. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version (here are details on how to locate it) or you can get your own online subscription.

 

Mergent Online
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

 

The Blue Book of Canadian Business
Detailed profiles for over 60 Canadian corporations, including missions/values, history, operations, social responsibility and executive biographies. Also contains directory type information for 2,500 Canadian companies, a ranking of the top 500 companies and a list of the top 400 Canadian stocks. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version of this periodical (here are details on how to locate it at UBC in Vancouver).

 

Reference Canada
Provides information on more than one million businesses throughout Canada. Includes name, address, phone number, contacts, number of employees, annual sales volumes, line of business, and credit rating. Vancouver Public Library subscribes to this online directory so check with your local library about access.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Mapping Your Competitors

Online maps such as Google Maps or Bing Maps and popular directories such as Yelp are a fast way to locate nearby competitors, and to get a better sense of the region your business operates within. Try searching for the name of your product or industry and narrowing your results by focusing the map on a specific location, such as a city or neighborhood.

SimplyAnalytics

This is an Internet-based mapping application that enables users to develop interactive thematic maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing data variables. Check your local public or academic library for access. UBC affiliates can learn more and get access.

 

Trade Shows

Attending trade shows is an excellent way to learn more about your competitors. Contact local associations or read trade publications to find out what trade shows are coming to your community.

10Times.com | The largest worldwide online directory of trade fairs, business exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and seminars for various industries. Search for trade shows by industry, country, date, organizer, or venue.

CanUX | CanUX is a premier graphic design showcase and conference billed as Canada’s premier annual experience design event. It features hands-on workshops, a world-class roster of presentations, and plenty of chances for web development and design professionals to find inspiration for the front end of their websites. 

Fluxible Canada's UX Festival | Fluxible Canada runs a full week of user experiences workshops, presentations, and showcases. It will be back for the first time in two years in 2023. 

TECHSPO Toronto | TECHSPO Toronto is a two-day technology expo where tech industry professionals can check out exhibitors that showcase the next generation of advances in various technological area, peruse innovative products, and imagine how these cutting-edge tools might impact their businesses for greater growth. 

DEVternity | DEVternity is the leading international software development conference, preparing web developers and designers to level up their careers and become web architects, engineers, or CTOs. Independent web developers may find their focus on growth and success to be helpful to their business. 

 

Find Financial Benchmarks

One thing you will need to do in the financials section of your business plan is discuss how you will price your products and/or services, and how this compares to your competitors. You will need to develop a financial plan that includes your projected revenues and net income. The following resources will help you find financial information on competitors in your industry.

 

Free Tools for Finding Financial Info

EDGAR
Filings with the US Securities & Exchange Commission by companies listed on US exchanges. 10-K Forms include detailed information on company history, structure, financial statements, and other relevant data.

 

SEDAR
A collection of corporate filings that are required by securities regulators, from companies operating in Canada. This website is an excellent source for information about a company's plans, competitive environment, markets, products, and assets. SEDAR is the Canadian equivalent of EDGAR.

 

Finding Benchmarks & Ratios

Ratios are tools that allow you to plan and assess your company's progress over time, and to compare it to other companies in the same industry. There are diferent kinds of ratios, including operating ratios, financial ratios, performance indicators, and benchmarks.

 

Financial Performance Data (formerly SME Benchmarking Tool)
Tool for benchmarking your financial reports with others in your sector. Website also includes a collection of financial data and annual reports of various Canadian companies. For instructions on using the Financial Performance Data click here. To create a report using Financial Performance data click here.

TIP: Remember to search using your NAICS code (eg. 5415 for Computer System Design and Related Services)

 

Financial Performance Indicators for Canadian Business
Offers current financial ratios by industry, based on data provided by Statistics Canada. The indicators are designed to serve as financial performance benchmarks against which individual firms and industries can be compared. Affiliates of UBC, UNBC, UVic and SFU have access through Abacus Dataverse. If you are visiting, please contact your local library about access.

 

 

Proprietary Tools For Finding Financial Info

UBC Company Research Guide
This research guide was created by UBC business librarians. Follow this link to go directly to the section of the guide that features various UBC Library electronic resources that are recommended for searching for financial information on competitors, such as credit rankings, stock prices and investment analyst reports. You can explore the navigation on the right-hand side to find more recommended research sources on the general topic of company research.

 

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

Mergent Online
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

 

Tools For Calculating Your Own Financials

• Financial Ratio Calculators - Business Development Canada
• Financial Ratios Calculator: Debt to Equity and Other Ratios - Canada One
• Business Calculators - GoForth Institute

Market Share & Size

Both market size and market share held by competitors are key factors when assessing the competitive environment. Keep in mind that there is no single source of market size and market share data. Market information is usually pieced together from various sources and is not often readily available for niche or emerging industries. One strategy is to combine a competitor's name or a comparable, established industry with the term market share in article databases or read market research reports. You will need to identify and describe your market – who your customers are and what the demand is for your products and services.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• (2022, Oct 10).  Web development market [2022-2029] size, share, growth | demand insights, on-going trends, key players, segmentation, revenue and gross margin, key findings, recent developments and forecast research | industry research biz: Web development market report focuses on the web development market size, segment size (mainly covering product type, application, and geography), competitor landscape, recent status, and development trends. furthermore, the report provides detailed cost analysis, supply chain. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2022, Feb 04). Global website builders industry worth $2.7 billion by 2026 - COVID-19 pandemic transforms the web development industry. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2019, Aug 14). The best custom website design companies from around the world, according to DesignRush: DesignRush discovered the top website design and development agencies who can build custom platforms for businesses of all industries, successfully solving online solutions and fostering business growth. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2021, Oct 12). Intetics new slide website sets the standard of excellence across the web development industry winning 3 WebAwards 2021 in 3 categories: Intetics new slide website sets the standard of excellence across the web development industry. the awardee of 3 WebAwards 2021 and a winner in 3 categories, Intetics Inc. is a leading global technology company providing custom software application development. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2020, Jun 12). The top small business & custom website design and development companies, according to web design agency rating platform: WebDesignCompanies.com identified the top companies that have the skills and experience to help brands with small business and custom website design and development. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2022, Sep 18). WP Creative shakes up web development industry with customer-centric rebrand. PR Newswire Asia. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2022, Jul 26). Cloudmellow expands into the Atlanta market through the acquisition of award winning website design and digital marketing company, the creative momentum. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• (2021, Sep 21). Nebula Academy creates momentous job opportunities and recognized by newsweek as a top coding school: Nebula Academy, a national provider of workforce training programs that includes full stack web development, tech support and tech sales, announced their recognition in newsweek as a top coding school. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• (2021, Sep 20). Coforma designs multilingual together.gov website for family reunification task force: Veteran, minority, and immigrant-owned small business Coforma provided UX design, content strategy, and front-end development for the together.gov website to help the family reunification task force bring families separated by the zero tolerance policy back together again. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.

 

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

• BCC Publishing. (2021, February). Web Content Management: Global Markets. [Report Code IFT217A]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• BCC Publishing. (2019, September). Content Delivery Networks: Global Markets. [Report Code IF095B]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• TBRC. [2018, January]. Software and BPO Services Global Market Briefing 2018 Report. [Report Code MKB109B]. BCC Research Centre. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Stolle, M. (2020). Website design, refresh and redesign — should you DIY or outsource to an expert? Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker, 672, 75–76. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Louf, L. (2018). Freelance Web Developer: How to be Well Protected? PM World Journal, 7(1), 1–10. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.

 

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• (2021, July 14). US Local Business Spending on Digital Services, by Service, 2021. [Chart]. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database. 
• Goldman, J. (2022, December 7). Microsoft’s super app ambitions could drive more search and advertising revenue. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database. 

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• Egan, S. (2022, February). Web Design Services in the US. US SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY REPORT OD4586 | TECHNOLOGY. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Al Bari, S. (2022, May). Website Creation Software Developers in the US. US SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY REPORT OD5816 | TECHNOLOGY. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, August). IT Services: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database. 

 

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

• Squarespace, Inc.

Demographic Data

The resources listed in this section will help you identify population characteristics, and help you develop your customer profile. This research will also help you identify geographic areas where the largest number of your potential customers live. This can be very useful when determining a location for your business, and also when formulating your marketing strategy. Don't forget that trade associations and trade journals collect information about customers and can be great information sources for this area of your research.

 

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

 

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

 

Canadian Household Spending - Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers.

This table provides statistical information about household expenditures by Canadians broken down into a variety of categories. You can refine the table by region. You can view the full list of data tables here. 

 

Census Profile - Statistics Canada
Provides Canadian community profiles from the latest Census of Canada. These profiles are very useful for comparing statistics on different municipalities or regional districts. Includes details on family characteristics, primary language, mobility, educational attainment, marital status, labour force activity, earnings, and mode of transportation to work.

 

 

Socio-Economic Profiles - BC Stats
The socio-economic profiles consist of charts and tables for the various regional districts, health areas, college regions and school districts. Each region contains a map, demographic profile, economic hardship, labour market structure, education concerns, crime, health problems, children at risk, and youth at risk. The profiles are presented in a format that allows comparison to other regions in the province and to BC overall.

 

Your Target Market

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, August). IT Services: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• (2021, July 14). US Local Business Spending on Digital Services, by Service, 2021. [Chart]. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database. 
• Goldman, J. (2022, December 7). Microsoft’s super app ambitions could drive more search and advertising revenue. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database. 

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• (2021). Ping: Chief Identity Champion. WARC Awards for Effectiveness. Retrieved from WARC database.
• Furmidge, L. How to align sustainability, e-commerce, and great user experiences. WARC Exclusive. Retrieved from WARC database.  
• Ewer, K. (2017, September). How to use design in today’s fragmented media mix. WARC Best Practice. Retrieved from WARC database.

 

Public Opinion Polls

Ipsos
Links to Canadian, U.S. and international polls. Includes polls on consumer goods.

Roper Center for Public Opinion
Preserves the data from polls conducted by many leading survey organizations for the use of researchers, students, and journalists. Includes a section on how to analyze polls. Only for those affiliated with UBC.

 

Primary Research

The main point of this guide is to introduce you to a wide range of secondary market research resources but keep in mind there is great value in analyzing other information including:

• Advertising, blogs and sales brochures
• Your personal network and employees
• Direct observation, focus groups and interviews with potential customers

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.