FAQs

Annual Consumer Expenditure Reports | Competitor Mapping | Demographic Reports

Not sure where to start? Not sure how to ask the question? Well, you've come to the right place! Below are some of the questions we've heard the most.

Q: Who can request a GIServices product from the SBDCNet?

A: Only SBDC Business Advisors can submit research requests from the SBDCNet. If you are a small business owner, or if you're interested in starting your own small business, contact your local Small Business Development Center and ask to speak to a Business advisor.

Q: What is a Demographic Detail Report?

A: Just like the title suggests, it's a detailed report of the population demographics for a given geography. For instance, if you want to know what the average income in a ZIP code is, or if you want to know the percentage of females within 5 miles of your business, a Demographic Detail Report is your product! Demographic Detail Reports use data taken by the United States Bureau of the Census along with statistical estimates and projections that typically look 5 years ahead.

Q: What is an Annual Consumer Expenditure Report?

A: Annual Consumer Expenditure Reports provide household expense estimates of annual consumer spending on various categories, both for the current year estimates and five year projections. Like the Demographic Detail Report, you can request an expenditure report for specific geographies.

Q: How many competitors can you map?

A: Currently, our license with Reference USA limits the number of competitor listings to 50. If your SBDC maintains a license that permits more than 50 entries, we can accept your list (up to 1,000 entries) and map it for you, given that you provide us with an excel file with an address (or intersection), city, state and ZIP code.

Q: What are the most common ring-study distances?

A: Our database default distances are 1, 3 and 5-mile radii. You may request a single ring or a multiple-ring study, with a maximum of 10. This decision is based on what best suites your client's business community. Ring-analysis can be conducted with radii from 0.5 miles up to 100 miles.

Q: What are the most common drive-time distances?

A: Our database default distance is 10-minute drive-times. You may request multiple drive-times, but they will be provided separately (i.e. 5, 10, 15-minute). The minimum drive-time available is 2 minutes and the maximum is 90.