Author: WSS

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Sensory testing is a vital component of product development for many leading brands. It allows manufacturers to assess how a product will be perceived by consumers and make necessary adjustments before it hits the market. Sensory testing can provide invaluable insights into consumer preferences and help ensure that products meet or exceed customer expectations.

You can perform many types of sensory tests, and the methodology you choose will depend on the specific product, and what aspects of sensory perception are being evaluated.

What is Sensory Testing?

Simply put, sensory testing evaluates food based on its sensory properties – such as taste, smell, texture, appearance, and flavour.

A sensory test usually involves a trained panel of tasters who will score the product on different attributes. The results of these sensory tests can then be used to improve the recipe or manufacturing process, ensuring that the final product is of the highest quality.

How is Sensory Testing Used By Leading Food and Beverage Manufacturers?

Sensory testing can be an essential tool for manufacturers as it allows them to:

• Assess how consumers will perceive a product
• Make necessary adjustments before it hits the market
• Ensure that products meet or exceed customer expectations
• Gain insights into competitor products
• Understand the impact sensory perceptions can have on a specific product

By undertaking sensory testing, manufacturers can be sure that their products are of the highest quality, will secure customer acceptance, and have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

What Are The Different Types of Sensory Tests?

Many different types of sensory tests can be performed, depending on the product and what aspects of sensory perception need to be evaluated. Some standard sensory tests include:

• Paired comparison test: This test compares two products side-by-side and identifies which one has more of a specific sensory attribute.
• Triangle test: This test is used to compare three products, two of which are identical and one which is different. The subjects are then asked to identify the odd-one-out.
• Duo-trio test: This test is used to identify differences between products and investigates which sensory attributes are driving those differences. Often administered immediately after the triangle test.

Sensory tests such as these will be carried out by a panel of trained assessors, who use their acute senses to identify any sensory differences between products.

What Are The Benefits of Sensory Testing?

Subjecting your product(s) to numerous rounds of sensory testing is beneficial for several reasons, including:

• You will be able to identify potential sensory issues before the product hits the market, saving you time and money in the long run.
• Sensory testing can provide insights into how your product will be perceived by consumers and what sensory attributes are most important to them.
• You can use sensory testing to benchmark your product against competitors and ensure that it is of the highest quality.
• Sensory testing can be used to improve the recipe or manufacturing process, ensuring that the final product is of the highest quality.

Contact Wirral Sensory Services Today for All of Your Sensory Testing Needs

As one of the UK’s leading sensory research companies, Wirral Sensory Services can help you with all of your sensory testing needs. We have a vast pool of highly trained and experienced sensory panellists who can perform various sensory tests, providing you with the insights you need to improve your product.

From testing recipe reformulations to stacking your new product up against the competition, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about our sensory testing services or to discuss your specific needs.

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Home use product testing is an excellent way to develop critical insights about how a product will perform once it hits store shelves. In some cases, it can even revive a failing product by allowing manufacturers to better understand how customers interact with it.

However, there are still a lot of misconceptions and confusion surrounding home use product testing – especially regarding how it’s conducted. So, with that in mind, here are five things you need to know about home use product testing.

1. Home Use Product Testing Allows You to Test Products in Their Actual Environments

It’s important to understand that these tests are not conducted in neutral settings or “mocked-up” homes. These are real people testing products in real homes – giving manufacturers a much better idea of how their products will actually perform once they’re “out in the wild.”

It removes the guessing game and allows manufacturers to get an accurate idea of how their products will fare in terms of customer satisfaction.

Rather than testing in sterile, laboratory conditions, home use product testing provides a more accurate picture of how customers will interact with a product in their own homes. This is critical information for any manufacturer, as it can help them determine whether a product is ready for release or if there are still some kinks that need to be worked out.

2. Both Positive and Negative Feedback is Valuable

There’s no such thing as bad feedback when testing in a home-based environment. In fact, consecutive negative feedback is every bit, if not more, valuable than positive feedback.

While it may be painful to hear that your product isn’t performing as well as you’d hoped, this type of feedback is essential for making the necessary adjustments to ensure that the final product is up to scratch. 

On the other hand, a string of positive feedback can be just as valuable. For instance, it can help validate your decision-making and give you the confidence to move forward with a product.

3. Home Use Product Testing Feedback is Highly Customisable

The type of feedback and data you collect during a home use product test is entirely up to you. There is a common misconception that in-home testing revolves around surveys. However, while surveys are certainly an option, they are by no means the only method of collecting feedback.

Some manufacturers prefer to collect qualitative data through interviews or after-test focus groups. Others opt for a more quantitative approach, using sensors or trackers to collect data points on everything, from how often a product is used to how long it takes to complete a task.

The bottom line is that the data you collect during a home use product test can (and should) be tailored to your specific needs and objectives.

4. Home Use Product Tests Can be Branded or Blind

There’s no requirement to have your branded products tested in a home use product test. In fact, some manufacturers choose to have their products tested “blind,” meaning that customers are unaware that they are testing a particular brand.

The advantage of conducting a blind home use test is that it allows you to collect unbiased feedback about your product’s performance relative to its competitors. This can be incredibly valuable information, as it can help you to identify your product’s strengths and weaknesses.

On the other hand, some manufacturers choose to brand their products during home use testing, allowing them to not only collect feedback about the product itself but also about the customer’s experience with, and perceptions of, the brand.

5. Home Use Product Tests Still Offer Demographic Targeting

As is the case with most consumer research methods, home use product testing still allows companies to select their target demographic.

For example, a company may be interested in testing its new cleaning product with stay-at-home mothers. In this case, the company would work with a home use product testing company to identify and recruit women who fit this particular demographic.

Experienced and long-established companies such as Wirral Sensory Services have developed an extensive pool of reliable participants from diverse backgrounds, making it easy to target specific demographics.

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The colour of your packaging plays an integral role in the way consumers perceive your product. In fact, 85% of customers buy products based on colour alone. And yet, many companies overlook the importance of colour in their packaging design.

The colour palette you decide can be the difference-maker in whether or not your product stands out on the shelves. To ensure that potential customers are drawn to your product, it’s vital to consider the psychological effects of colours when designing your packaging.

Below, we’ll explore what consumer research has revealed about the impact of colours on consumers’ purchasing decisions.

The Psychology Behind Packaging Colours

People tend to react differently to different colours. However, there are overriding trends that exist across cultures driven by psychology.

For instance, research has uncovered that brighter colours tend to reduce the seriousness of packaging, grey or brown make the packaging conservative or masculine, pink adds a feminine touch, and red draws attention. Of course, all colours exist on a spectrum, and the shade, strength, and tone of the colour will also affect how it is perceived.

You can also use colours to create a certain mood or feeling. For instance, blue is often seen as trustworthy, green is associated with nature and relaxation, and black can convey sophistication.
Now that we understand the psychological effects of colours, let’s explore how you can use them to increase sales.

Choosing the Right Colours for Your Product’s Packaging

The colours you use on your packaging should be carefully chosen to target your desired audience. Consider the following:

• Who is your target market?
• What feeling do you want your product to evoke?
• What colours does your competition use?
• How do colours tend to be used in your category or market segment?

Don’t forget that you may also want your colour choices to physically represent your product. For instance, shampoo bottles and drinks products are often the same colour as their flavour (e.g. red for strawberries or green for mint).

You’ll also want to consider how your colours will look when printed on your packaging. For example, white text can be challenging to read on light-coloured packaging. By contrast, if you’re using a white background, make sure the colours you choose will show up clearly and contrast well.

Your packaging colours should also be chosen to complement each other. You’ll want to create a colour palette that is visually appealing and works together to achieve your desired mood or feeling.

Once you’ve considered these factors, you can begin to narrow down your choices. If you’re still unsure which colours to use, consider contacting a consumer research company with experience in this area.

Final Thoughts on the Impact of Colours in Packaging

The colours you use on your product’s packaging can significantly impact consumer perception. When choosing colours for your packaging, it’s important to consider the psychological effects of colours as well as the current trends in your industry. It’s also crucial to ensure that your colours work well together and complement each other.

If you’re a startup brand or an established market force looking to test and trail packaging ideas, speak to us about how we can help.

At WSS, we understand the importance of colours in packaging design. We can help you create packaging research projects that will test your hypotheses and deliver the insights you need to make informed decisions about your product’s packaging.

From choosing colours that attract the most attention on supermarket shelves to those that convey the right message about your product, we can design and execute packaging research and focus group studies that will help you achieve your desired objectives.

To learn more about how we can help, contact us today on +44 (0)151 346 2999 or via email at info@wssintl.com.

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Sensory testing plays a vital role in the development of food products. It helps ensure that products are appealing to consumers and that they contain many of the traits of current market leaders.

There are many different sensory testing methodologies available to test the sensory differences between products, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. However, three principal sensory tests are commonly used in the food industry to better understand product differences. Below is an overview of each of these sensory difference testing methodologies.

The Paired Comparison Test

Undoubtedly one of the most prevalent sensory difference tests, the paired comparison test, is used to indicate which of the two samples has more of an attribute.

This test is the most straightforward and quick to administer, which is why it is so popular. It is, however, limited in that it can only compare two products at a time, and it doesn’t provide a measurement of the degree to which one product is preferred over the other.

The Triangle Test

Triangle tests determine whether detectable sensory differences exist between two products. These tests are most commonly used for reformulated products when brands want to understand whether the new product is significantly different from the old one.

The triangle test involves presenting subjects with three products, two of which are identical and one which is different. The subjects are then asked to identify the odd-one-out.

If the subjects can correctly identify the different products more than would be expected by chance, then it can be concluded that there are detectable sensory differences between the two products.

One of the reasons the triangle test is preferred to other options, such as the paired comparison test, is that it’s more statistically significant, as there is less probability of choosing a correct result by simply hazarding a guess.

The Duo-Trio Test

Another popular choice for sensory difference testing is the duo-trio test. Using this methodology, a tester is asked to identify which of any given samples are identical to a given reference sample.

Not only is the test easily carried out and understood, but it’s particularly well suited to testing how ingredient changes, process changes, and different packaging materials affect the taste, smell, or texture of a product.

This test is often used as a follow-up to the triangle test to help understand which specific attributes are responsible for product differences.

Speak to Wirral Sensory Services Today Regarding Your Sensory Testing Requirements

When choosing a sensory testing methodology, it is essential to consider the objectives of the test and the type of product being tested. Each of the methodologies listed above has its own strengths, statistical significance, and suitability parameters, so it is vital to select the best suited for the particular product and situation.

At Wirral Sensory Services, we have a team of sensory experts who can advise you on the best testing methodology for your needs. We offer various services, from product optimisation and concept testing to sensory research and in-home use tests, for many leading brands and businesses in the food and beverage industry.

For more information or to discuss your sensory research requirements, please get in touch with us today.

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With a 30-fold increase in the number of vegans over the last 15 years, food brands are now in a race to tap into this ever-growing market. And while there’s been an explosion of plant-based products, from vegan cheese to plant-based meat, the development of plant-based foods replicating the full range of textures and flavours that we associate with animal-based foods is still lacking.

Texture is an important factor in determining the consumer acceptability of a plant-based product, as is smell and taste. In the case of plant-based foods, these sensory properties are often different from their animal-based counterparts.

However, with in-depth sensory testing, brands can establish what consumers do and don’t like about a product and work to improve the formulation to better match consumer expectations.

What Are The Challenges Currently Facing Plant-Based Food Brands?

The primary problem facing producers of products such as vegan cheese and meat products (such as vegan burgers) is that the final product often doesn’t have the same appearance, taste, or texture as the animal-based food it’s trying to imitate.

This can be a particular issue with vegan cheese, which often has a different colour, consistency, and mouthfeel than traditional dairy cheese. The same is true of plant-based meat products, which often lack the juiciness, tenderness, and chewiness that consumers expect from meat.

As a result of these issues, many plant-based products fail to live up to the expectations of consumers, who are often disappointed with the final product, leading to poor sales figures and, in some cases, products being pulled from store shelves altogether.

So, How Can Sensory Testing Help?

In-depth sensory testing can help plant-based food brands understand the textures, flavours, and aromas that consumers associate with a particular animal-based food and develop a product that more closely matches these consumer expectations.

This specific kind of testing often goes beyond simply asking consumers whether they like or dislike a product. Instead, it uses trained sensory panellists to evaluate the product in detail, looking at factors such as the flavour and texture profile.

This kind of information is invaluable for brands, as it can help them to improve the formulation of their products to better match consumer expectations, leading to improved sales and customer acceptance.

Brands utilising methodologies including product optimisation can also use current market leaders in plant-based categories as benchmarks, understanding in detail what consumers like and don’t like about these products, and using this information to improve their own formulations.

Partner With an Industry-Leading Sensory Research Firm to Create Better Plant-Based Foods

With a growing consumer trend toward lower meat consumption and an ever-increasing number of people following plant-based diets, there’s a clear opportunity for brands to tap into this market.

However, it’s crucial for brands to ensure that their products match consumer expectations in terms of taste, texture, and aroma, as many plant-based products currently on the market fail to achieve widespread consumer acceptance.

In-depth sensory studies can help brands understand what consumers want from plant-based foods, and develop products that better match these expectations. If you’re looking to develop a new plant-based food or want to further develop your existing range, partner with an experienced sensory research firm to ensure that your products are the best they can be.

At WSS, we have over 25 years’ experience conducting sensory research for leading food and drink brands. Our expert panellists are adept at evaluating plant-based products in detail, providing invaluable insights that can help you improve your formulation and better match consumer expectations.

To find out more about our services, or to discuss your requirements with one of our team, get in touch today on +44 (0)151 346 2999 or via email at info@wssintl.com.

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Plenty of home, food, and beverage products focus almost exclusively on the under-18 market. Items, including yoghurts, cereals, and toys, are all heavily advertised to children, so it’s no surprise that companies want to know what young consumers think about their products and how to make them even better.

However, conducting consumer research with children can be challenging, as they may not have the verbal skills to communicate their thoughts. There are also numerous specialist considerations, such as parental consent, to take into account.

With that in mind, here are our top tips for conducting consumer research with children ethically, efficiently, and accurately.

1. Create an Appropriate and Relaxed Environment

This is important for all consumer research, but it’s especially crucial when working with children. They may be easily distracted or put off by a formal atmosphere, so try to create a relaxed setting in which they feel comfortable expressing themselves.

Conducting research in their own home is often the best option, as they’ll be more comfortable there, and it will be easier to keep them engaged. If this isn’t possible, consider visiting them in their school or another familiar or unthreatening location.

Regarding the research itself, start with ice-breaker tasks that ease them into the process and make it fun. This could be something as simple as asking them to draw a picture of their favourite product.

2. Choose the Correct Research Methodology

You can conduct qualitative market research with children and young people in several ways. Focus groups are undoubtedly one of the most popular choices as they provide a positive and friendly environment for kids to express their opinions and build on each other’s ideas.

In-depth interviews can also be effective, although you may need to adapt your questioning style to suit a younger audience. For example, use closed questions that can be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ rather than open-ended ones that require a long explanation.

Lastly, in-home use tests are probably the best option to observe how children interact with a product in a natural setting. Not only will this provide you with valuable insights, but it will also save you time and money as you won’t need to hire a separate research facility.

3. Obtain Consent from a Parent or Guardian

Of course, when working with children, obtaining consent from a parent or guardian is essential before starting the research process. This is usually done in the form of a signed letter, consent form, or an email response, although you may also be able to get verbal consent depending on the project.

In some cases, other legal guardians, such as a headteacher, can consent if you’re conducting research in a school setting. That said, it’s always best to let the parents or guardians know first to ensure they’re happy for you to proceed.

4. Choose the Right Moderator

When it comes to conducting research with young children, in many cases, the research is only as strong as the moderator. That’s why you’ll need to take your time over who you choose for the job, as they’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring the research is a success.

The ideal candidate will have plenty of experience working with children, as they’ll know how to keep them engaged and get the most out of them. They should also be patient, flexible, and able to quickly develop a rapport with kids.

5. Think Like a Child

To keep children engaged and get the most out of your consumer research, you need to think like a child. Put yourself in their shoes and consider what would interest and excite them.

This means making the research fun and engaging while keeping the tasks short and simple. You should also avoid using jargon or long words, as children will likely get confused and lose interest.

Get the Most Out of Your Children’s Product Testing Research with Wirral Sensory Services

By following these tips, you can be sure to conduct consumer research with children that is both fun for them and informative for your brand. If you need any help or advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Wirral Sensory Services.

We have years of experience conducting consumer research with children of all ages and can tailor our services to suit your specific needs. No matter the requirements of your specific research project, we can provide solutions that give you the insights you need to make informed decisions about your brand.

Contact us today to learn more about our children’s testing and market research services.

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Home use testing (HUT), or in-home use testing (iHUT) as it’s often referred to, describes the process of using a product in a target consumer’s home and gathering feedback concerning a product’s performance in its intended setting.

Home use tests are conducted at all stages of product development, from concept and design testing to pre-launch and even after a product has hit store shelves, as was the case with Febreze. This type of consumer research is commonly used for products like cosmetics, fragrances, haircare, skincare, and cleaning supplies.

Home use testing has several advantages that make it an attractive option for companies looking to gather insights into their products. So without further ado, let’s quickly run through them.

1. Home Use Testing is More Intimate and Realistic than Laboratory or Focus Group Testing

While consumer research under lab conditions is vital for many products, home use testing provides a more intimate, realistic setting in which to test products. This is because people interact with and use products differently at home than they would in a lab or focus group setting.

For example, they are more likely to use products as intended, in the context of their daily routines, and perhaps in conjunction with other products with which they would typically use them. This provides companies with valuable insights into how their products are actually being used by their target audience.

2. Home Use Testing Can Help You Address Consumer Pain Points

Sometimes you can only find potentially disastrous flaws with your product after consumers have spent weeks using them rather than a few hours in a neutral setting.

By committing to prolonged periods of home use testing, brands can better identify consumer pain points that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Companies can then use these insights to improve the product before it hits store shelves or, in some cases, make necessary changes after the product has already been released.

3. Home Use Testing Can Facilitate Long-Term and Ongoing Feedback

Another benefit of home use testing is that it can help facilitate long-term and ongoing feedback. This is extremely valuable for companies as it allows them to track changes in consumer sentiment over time, rather than just getting a one-time snapshot.

This type of feedback can be used to assess the effectiveness of product changes, monitor trends, and predict future consumer behaviour. Home use tests can also be used to gauge consumer reaction to packaging changes or new marketing campaigns.

4. Home Use Testing Provides Extensive Qualitative Feedback

While quantitative feedback has its place in consumer research, sometimes brands need to uncover the “why” behind consumer behaviour. Home use testing can be beneficial in this regard as it provides brands with extensive qualitative feedback.

This research method allows companies to not only track how often and for how long their products are being used but also to understand the emotions and motivations driving these behaviours. Home use testing can also help brands uncover unanticipated uses for their products.

5. Home Use Testing Is Often More Cost-Effective

While home use testing is not always the cheapest option, it can be much more cost-effective than other types of consumer research, especially if you commit to longer testing periods.

This is because you can avoid the costs associated with renting space, setting up and breaking down equipment, and hiring professional staff. Feedback for home use testing can often be collected using cost-effective tools such as online surveys.

Conduct Highly Effective Home Use Testing with WSS Today

Home use testing is a powerful consumer research tool that can provide brands with valuable insights into how their products are actually being used.

At WSS, we have over 25 years of experience conducting home use tests for some of the world’s leading brands. Our team of expert researchers will work with you to design and implement a custom home use test that meets your specific needs and objectives. Once complete, our team will distil all of the data and feedback collected into actionable insights that you can use to improve your product and better meet the needs of your target audience.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you carry out a home use testing research project. We are available by phone at +44 (0)151 346 2999 or via email at info@wssintl.com.

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When conducting consumer testing, blind taste tests are a valuable tool in gathering consumer feedback without being influenced by other factors such as branding, price, packaging etc.

In a blind taste test, participants are given products to sample without knowing which brand they are trying. This allows testers to focus purely on the taste, smell, and texture of the product in order to make an unbiased judgement.

So why use them as part of your consumer research?

Why Use Blind Taste Tests?

Sometimes it’s easy to overlook the role brands and logos have on our perceptions of products.

Merely seeing a logo can evoke an emotional response and therefore affect how we process information. This phenomenon is often called the “halo effect” – the tendency for positive impressions of a company, brand, or product in one area to positively influence one’s opinion or feelings in other areas, preventing us from being able to make an objective decision.

Thus the primary purpose of blind taste tests is to remove one crucial element that may skew results: bias. Consumers all have inherent biases (both consciously and unconsciously). But, by taking away branding and other identifying factors, researchers can hope to get a more accurate idea of how participants really feel about a product.

Coke vs. Pepsi – The World’s Most Famous Blind Taste Test

Perhaps the most significant demonstration of the power of bias was in the famous Coke vs. Pepsi blind taste tests run throughout the 1980s. Coke had developed millions of loyal customers through excellent marketing, and many people assumed that it would come out on top in a blind taste test.

Pepsi, on the other hand, was marketed as the “choice of a new generation” and was seen as a hipper, more modern brand. So, when tasters were asked to choose between the two in a blind test, many were surprised that they actually preferred the taste of Pepsi.

Upon the release of the results, the executives at Coca Cola were so shocked that they rushed into developing the infamous “New Coke”, which had a sweeter taste profile that was more in line with Pepsi.

This example highlights not only how important it is to remove bias from consumer testing, but also how tricky it can be to do so. If even something as seemingly innocuous as a name or logo can alter people’s perceptions, it’s easy to see how other factors such as price, packaging, or even the location of a product in a store can affect consumer choices.

Eliminate Bias from Your Consumer Research With Consumer Blind Taste Testing

Blind taste tests play a vital role in eliminating bias and giving you accurate consumer insights. Without removing preconceptions, it’s difficult to know for sure what impact your product’s branding, price, or packaging is having on consumer perceptions.

At WSS, we’re industry leaders in blind taste testing. We have helped leading national and international brands to conduct blind taste tests across various categories. We have a team of highly experienced researchers who will work with you to ensure that your blind taste test is conducted efficiently and effectively.

To learn more about how we can help you eliminate bias from your taste testing, contact us today on +44 (0)151 346 2999 or via email at info@wssintl.com.

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Sensory testing is an integral part of product development in the food and beverage industries. The process helps establish the sensory profile of a product and can identify potential off-flavours or other sensory defects.

There are a variety of sensory tests that can be conducted, but they all require human panels to provide accurate results. The issue, however, is that smell, taste, sight, touch, and hearing are all highly subjective, and what one person perceives as a strong flavour might be weak to someone else.

So, given these challenges, who conducts sensory testing to obtain objective parameters regarding the sensory profile of a product?

Who’s Involved in the Sensory Profiling of Products?

The answer is sensory panellists. These are people who are able to identify specific sensory attributes in products and provide objective feedback.

Sensory panellists usually have some background in the food or beverage industry, although this is not always required. What’s essential is that sensory panellists are able to identify the characteristics being evaluated in a product and provide accurate feedback.

There are a few different types of sensory panellists that are often used in sensory testing:

• Trained sensory panellists: These are people who have received formal sensory training and are often employed by sensory testing companies.
• Untrained sensory panellists: These are people who have not received formal sensory training but still possess above-average sensory acuity.
• Consumer sensory panellists: These are people who represent the target market for a product and often overlap with the untrained sensory panellists group.

Each type of sensory panellist has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the exact makeup of a sensory panel will depend on your research objectives, project design, and budget.

How Does Sensory Profiling Work in Practice? Chicken Spice Case Study

Once you’ve chosen your sensory panel, it’s time to conduct sensory testing. But what does that look like in practice? It’s perhaps best to use a recent case study as an example.

A leading producer of spicy chicken products wanted to assess whether there were any discernible differences in dried spices sourced from two different origins.

A sensory profiling exercise was conducted using a panel of 14 trained panellists. An initial descriptor generating session identified 28 key parameters that would be used to measure attributes of chicken products. The panellists were then asked to assess the chicken products with spices from each origin.

A report was generated to show the mean scores of each key parameter for the chicken products made with spices from each origin. Significant differences were highlighted at 95% confidence to clearly identify where the products differed in sensory terms.

Based on the feedback from the research, there were demonstrable discernible differences in their products when using spices from two different origins. The client was then able to assess the level of difference and make an informed decision regarding the sourcing of spices.

Choose WSS for Your Sensory Testing Requirements Today

At WSS, we boast an extensive roster of professionally trained sensory panellists and an extensive pool of laypeople with above-average sensory acuity. We also have a broad range of demographics from which you can construct your panel.

Thus, no matter your requirements regarding your sensory panel, we have the resources and personnel to meet your needs.

So, if you wish to learn more about sensory testing or you need to submit your product(s) through a round of sensory profiling, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. We would be more than happy to discuss your requirements in further detail and answer any questions you may have.

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When carrying out consumer research, the chances are that you’ll need to enlist the services of an experienced consumer testing company to ensure that the process is conducted smoothly and to the highest possible standards. However, with so many different consumer testing companies to choose from, it can be tricky to decipher which one will be the best fit for your brand.

With that in mind, here are five key elements you should look out for when choosing a consumer testing company.

#1: A Long and Well-Established Track Record

Across any industry, the tell-tale sign of any reputable business is its track record. How long a business has been operating often correlates with the quality of its services.

Consumer testing is no different. You should look for a consumer testing company that has been in operation for many years, if not decades, and has worked with a range of clients from different industries. This will give you a good indication that the company is experienced and knowledgeable in the field of consumer research.

#2: Check Their Reputation in Online Reviews and Client Testimonials

While a long and distinguished operating history is usually a significant positive indicator of a company’s performance, it’s also important to check the company’s more recent reputation. One of the best ways to do this is by reading online reviews. Look for consumer testing companies that generally have positive reviews across a range of different sites.

In addition, check to see if the company has any testimonials from previous clients on their website. If they do, make sure to read through them carefully to see if the company is consistently providing a high level of service and if they have delivered excellence in an area in which you would like to focus your research efforts.

#3: Make Sure They’re Flexible and Can Adapt to Your Needs

Any good consumer testing company should be flexible to the needs of a brand. In consumer research, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. An established brand and a startup company will need very different approaches to their consumer testing, so a company should be happy to accommodate these requirements.

A consumer testing company that’s worth its salt will work with you to devise a bespoke consumer research project that meets your specific needs, rather than trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

#4: They Should Be Able to Offer a Range of Different Services

The consumer testing company you choose should be well-versed in delivering a number of consumer research services. From taste testing to focus group studies, home use testing, efficacy testing and beyond – a well-respected consumer testing company should be able to offer all of these services and more.

A company offering a broad spectrum of consumer research methods will give you the confidence that they’re experts in the field of consumer testing and that they’ll be able to handle any consumer research request you have.

#5: Evaluate Their Client List

Who does your prospective consumer research partner currently work with? Does their client list include some of the biggest international names in your industry? If so, chances are they’re doing something right.

A consumer testing company with an impressive client list is likely to have the experience, personnel, and resources to carry out your consumer research project to the highest possible standards.

Choose Wirral Sensory Services for Your Consumer Testing Needs Today

Choosing a consumer testing company doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By looking out for these five essential elements, you can be sure that you’re choosing a company that will deliver high-quality consumer research results to help your brand make informed decisions about product development and marketing strategies.

At Wirral Sensory Services, not only have we been in operation for a quarter of a century, but we also boast a client list including some of the biggest names in the food and drink industry, offer a broad spectrum of consumer research services, and can demonstrate the quality of our work through our dozens of five-star reviews on platforms such as Google.

What’s more, our team of consumer research experts are on hand to devise a tailor-made strategy for your brand, ensuring that you get the most out of your consumer research project.

To learn more about how we can help you research, develop, and launch market-leading products, speak to a member of our team today on +44 (0)151 346 2999.