Behavioral segmentation describes a marketing strategy that has been around with us for a while now. It is only in the recent past, however, that the benefits of its use have been fully appreciated. In this marketing approach, the marketer divides the group of potential customers into a number of smaller groups. There are several criteria that are used to achieve this but the main one is the knowledge of the services or products by the customers. The pattern of responses exhibited by different customers also plays a major role in the categorization.
The strategy is very different from the previous approach of mass marketing. In the latter, all the consumers were considered the same. Advertisements were typically targeted at the larger market in the hope that potential customers will be reached. Not only was this approach an expensive undertaking, but the returns were also not that good. Segmenting allows for specific groups to be targeted.
There are a number of behavioral attributes that may be used to segment large markets. A commonly used one is where customers are categorized based on occasional buying behaviors. An example is where sales for love gifts increase around the time of Valentine. Also, chocolates are also sold more during festivities. Businesses will need to categorize their customers based on these behaviors if they are to meet these needs more effectively.
It is also to create segments that are sought by customers when using various goods or services. Different customers may have the same or different reasons for using products. This is especially common for goods that have multiple uses. There is a need to understand the groups that demand the product for each of the available benefits. The product may be modified in a manner to suit a group or groups of consumers.
Brand loyalty varies from one customer to another. The business needs to be aware of this fact. The pool of customers can be divided into groups depending on their level of loyalty. The most loyal group can be rewarded for supporting the business and this will often encourage those that are not so loyal to improve in loyalty. Reasons for and against loyalty should be found out from the various groups of customers and appropriate steps to change the situation undertaken.
The usage rate of different customers is another criterion commonly used. For any given service or product, the rate usage is variable among different consumers. The main groups that can be considered are the heavy, the moderate and the light users. Usage rate can also be regarded in terms of quantity. This refers to the amount of goods that are bought at any given time.
The usage rate segments created can then be used in making important business decisions. The heavy users should be identified and preferably rewarded as a way of encouraging continued usage. Such reward programs are usually achieved through the use of discounts that are directly proportional to the amount of goods used. Such a move will encourage the moderate and the light users to increase their usage rates.
There are many other different ways of segmentation other than behavioral segmentation. Demographic characteristics such as gender, income and age have been used successfully in some cases. Geographical location and psychological characteristics may also be considered. The important thing to remember is that the segments must be large enough to warrant all this trouble.
The strategy is very different from the previous approach of mass marketing. In the latter, all the consumers were considered the same. Advertisements were typically targeted at the larger market in the hope that potential customers will be reached. Not only was this approach an expensive undertaking, but the returns were also not that good. Segmenting allows for specific groups to be targeted.
There are a number of behavioral attributes that may be used to segment large markets. A commonly used one is where customers are categorized based on occasional buying behaviors. An example is where sales for love gifts increase around the time of Valentine. Also, chocolates are also sold more during festivities. Businesses will need to categorize their customers based on these behaviors if they are to meet these needs more effectively.
It is also to create segments that are sought by customers when using various goods or services. Different customers may have the same or different reasons for using products. This is especially common for goods that have multiple uses. There is a need to understand the groups that demand the product for each of the available benefits. The product may be modified in a manner to suit a group or groups of consumers.
Brand loyalty varies from one customer to another. The business needs to be aware of this fact. The pool of customers can be divided into groups depending on their level of loyalty. The most loyal group can be rewarded for supporting the business and this will often encourage those that are not so loyal to improve in loyalty. Reasons for and against loyalty should be found out from the various groups of customers and appropriate steps to change the situation undertaken.
The usage rate of different customers is another criterion commonly used. For any given service or product, the rate usage is variable among different consumers. The main groups that can be considered are the heavy, the moderate and the light users. Usage rate can also be regarded in terms of quantity. This refers to the amount of goods that are bought at any given time.
The usage rate segments created can then be used in making important business decisions. The heavy users should be identified and preferably rewarded as a way of encouraging continued usage. Such reward programs are usually achieved through the use of discounts that are directly proportional to the amount of goods used. Such a move will encourage the moderate and the light users to increase their usage rates.
There are many other different ways of segmentation other than behavioral segmentation. Demographic characteristics such as gender, income and age have been used successfully in some cases. Geographical location and psychological characteristics may also be considered. The important thing to remember is that the segments must be large enough to warrant all this trouble.
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