dimanche 17 novembre 2013

The Facts On Behavioral Segmentation

By Leslie Griffith


The term behavioral segmentation is used frequently in the marketing world. It refers to division of populations based solely on behavior. That is, the way a particular population knows, uses or responds to products. Behaviors of consumers is frequently studied in marketing, as there are various considerations made by consumers before they commit to a service or product.

There is more than one form of segmentation of this kind. Buying on occasions is one example and refers to products that are targeted by occasion. There is also benefits sought. So many products are targeted by the benefits being sought out by consumers. Marketers are capable of dividing populations based on benefits that individual consumers seek from products.

Another form is loyalty. There are two main ways to grow businesses. First is to collect new customers and second is to retain existing customers. The more loyalty a consumer has to a product and service, the more the consumer base will grow. This is another behavior that marketers tend to target. Strategies employed for brand-loyal consumers is different than that applied for acquiring new consumers.

Usage rate is important as well. In both commercial and residential segments, usage is rated as heavy, moderate or lesser. Customers are often targeted based on their perceived or calculated usage. For instance, beauty facilities might be more likely to target consumers known to buy and utilize personal care products on a regular basis and avoid customers who do not use these kinds of products frequently.

Another segment that is commonly employed is buyer readiness stage. Consumers are grouped based on their readiness to purchase various products. This segment is particularly helpful in regards to formulating and monitoring marketing strategies of communication to get customers to buy a product or brand. The main components of readiness: purchase, conviction, preference, liking, knowledge and awareness.

Any kind of product or service that is not targeted toward the entire population or masses may employ this. This is also beneficial for niche products. These items are known to focus on the wants and needs of customers. The main objective, with this and other forms of marketing, is to learn more about the consumer and use that knowledge in order to implement the best strategy for bringing in, and keeping, consumers. The strategy taken with this will vary from marketer to marketer, service to service, and product to product.

In general, this is considered a kind of market segmentation. It is focused more on patterns of behavior. This process involves dividing consumers into groups based on knowledge, uses, responses and attitudes toward products. It also includes close assessment of patterns displayed by customers when making purchasing decision. Producers can use this information to change marketing approaches and strategies for better effectiveness.

Behavioral segmentation is used commonly in marketing to target certain consumers. It is recognized as a form of market segmentation. Essentially, it involves dividing the market into various groups of consumers who have similar needs. Through this, producers are able to create more effective approaches to reaching target consumers based on their desires and needs. Great emphasis is on the behaviors of customers, particularly when it comes to making decisions and purchases.




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