How to write better category-and-location research queries
The quality of market discovery depends heavily on the words used. A short query plan improves coverage and reduces repeated searches.
1. Separate the business type from the geography
Write the commercial category and the location as two independent decisions. This makes it easier to reuse the category across several territories.
- Electrical wholesaler + city
- Panel builder + industrial area
- Packaging manufacturer + region
- Business consultant + country
2. Add genuine category alternatives
Businesses may use different terms for similar work. Use alternatives that reflect real industry language, not random keyword variations.
- Wholesaler / distributor / dealer
- Manufacturer / OEM / fabricator
- Contractor / installer / service provider
- Consultant / advisor / specialist
3. Cover meaningful geographic units
A city-wide search may miss concentrated business zones. Add districts, suburbs, industrial estates or nearby cities when they are commercially relevant.
- City
- District or suburb
- Industrial area
- Nearby commercial centre
4. Keep each query understandable
A query should be easy to audit later. Avoid stuffing too many unrelated categories into one line because it becomes difficult to know why a record appeared.
- One main category per query
- One clear location per query
- Consistent naming
- Retain the query with each output
5. Review coverage before adding more volume
Count unique businesses, compare locations and look for obvious category gaps. More queries should solve a coverage problem—not simply increase the total.
- Compare unique totals
- Inspect duplicate rates
- Review missing fields
- Add only relevant alternative searches