The Basic Facts On Behavioral Segmentation In Marketing

By Harriett Crosby


Behavioral segmentation is strategy that is commonly used in marketing. The strategy entails the subdivision of a consumer pool into smaller units that share a number of characteristics. The main criterion that is used is the knowledge of different groups of consumers as regards the use of different goods and services. Using this strategy many businesses have been able to maximize on their sales because each customer has been served well.

There is sharp contrast between market segmentation and mass marketing. The latter is the traditional method of advertisement that approached the market as a unit. The disadvantage of doing this is that some customers will not have their needs fully met and this reduces the cells of the business in the end. Segmenting is more customer-centered and rewards the users well.

Occasional buying is a common behavior that is exhibited by different groups of customers. Some goods or services appear to be increasingly demanded during specific occasions and at no other times of the year. For instance, religious gifts are usually on high demanded during religious seasons and occasions such as Christmas and Easter. The business needs to identify these users and to satisfy them appropriately.

Even for the same product, there is some form of difference in the reasons that lead to usage of the given products. Some customers will choose to use a product for a given reason and others will use for an entirely different reason. The producer needs to be aware of the existence of the various groups and to modify their products in a manner that all the concerned groups will be satisfied.

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.

Important marketing decisions can be made based on the usage rate segments. It is important to carry out research to establish the reasons behind the differences in usage rate among the various groups. Appropriate steps can then be taken depending on the findings. The heavy and moderate users can be rewarded with discounts so as to challenge the light users. More aggressive marketing campaigns may be needed to attract the light users.

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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