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 use of market segmentation as a general marketing tool represents a major shift in doing business. The traditional way of reaching out to consumer was mainly through mass marketing. This method was very ineffective. In the mass marketing approach the entire pool of consumers was regarded as a single homogenous pool of customers. The message is sent out to the whole pool in the hope that a large number of potential customers will be reached.
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.
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.
Another attribute used in segmenting the market is usage rate of various products. Since customers have varying usage rates, they can be categorized into various groups comprising the light, moderate and heavy users. Each of these groups has a specific need or needs that should be identified. For example, heavy users need frequent supply of products to the outlets close to them.
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 several other criteria that are available today besides behavioral segmentation. These include demographic, psychographic and geographic segmentation. Demographic categories are centered on factors such as age, gender, income and so on. Geographic subdivision is based on the different geographical locations of the potential customers. Psychographic segmentation is uses customer attitudes as the basis for categorization.
The use of market segmentation as a general marketing tool represents a major shift in doing business. The traditional way of reaching out to consumer was mainly through mass marketing. This method was very ineffective. In the mass marketing approach the entire pool of consumers was regarded as a single homogenous pool of customers. The message is sent out to the whole pool in the hope that a large number of potential customers will be reached.
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.
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.
Another attribute used in segmenting the market is usage rate of various products. Since customers have varying usage rates, they can be categorized into various groups comprising the light, moderate and heavy users. Each of these groups has a specific need or needs that should be identified. For example, heavy users need frequent supply of products to the outlets close to them.
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 several other criteria that are available today besides behavioral segmentation. These include demographic, psychographic and geographic segmentation. Demographic categories are centered on factors such as age, gender, income and so on. Geographic subdivision is based on the different geographical locations of the potential customers. Psychographic segmentation is uses customer attitudes as the basis for categorization.
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