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What is Database Marketing
Database marketing is a form of uncontrived marketing. It involves collecting the consumer data like names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, transactions histories, consumer support tickets, etc.
It is then analyzed and used to create a personalized experience for each customer or attract potential customers.
And traditional direct marketing involves creating direct mail pieces like brochures and catalogs.
And mailing them to a list of potential or current customers in the hopes it evokes a positive response.
Also, database marketing takes that strategy a step further by understanding how customers want marketed to and then applying those insights to fulfill the customer’s need via the best channel.
What are the Benefits of Database Marketing?
- Today’s consumers expect a personalized experience with the brand. It delivers one, and marketers need a unified view of each customer across every touchpoint.
- It’s only then they understand the customer’s journey and engage them in a meaningful way.
- And Database marketing strategies make that easier.
- It identifies customer groups – from your most loyal, high-value customers to first-time customers and occasional purchasers.
- Also, it creates detailed customer segments based on demographics, behaviors, or even personal interests.
- And also, its designs are highly personalized messages for both current and prospective customers.
- It determines the best channel and time to engage customers.
- It improves marketing efficiency by not wasting time and money sending campaigns to those unlikely to respond.
- And it builds effective loyalty programs that provide the right incentives for repeat purchases.
- And also it improves customer service by providing support staff with a 360° view of your brand’s interactions.
What Challenges of Database Marketing?
- Database marketing offers some compelling benefits — but to do it successfully.
- And also marketers need to understand the challenges as well.
- And watch out for these database marketing challenges:
1. Data decay
- Anytime a customer or prospect changes jobs or earns a promotion.
- And moves to a new address, changes the name.
- And gets an unknown email address, or makes any other life change.
- Also their profile becomes outdated.
- A well-managed database decays at an average of 2-3% each month.
- Which means in just a year, a third of your data could be invalid.
- To limit data decay, focus on information that is less likely to change: name and phone number, for example, rather than business email.
2. Data accuracy
- Customers don’t always provide accurate information.
- And typos, handwriting legibility, or incomplete info can have a significant impact on your data processing quality.
- And also you can limit inaccuracies by replacing input fields with standardized drop-down menus or checkboxes.
3. Acting on customer data promptly
- It collecting and analyzing customer data is just the first step. You have to act quickly enough to capitalize on a customer’s interest and interactions with your brand.
- It is where marketing automation tools like Clever tap become so important. By unifying rich user profiles with powerful segmentation.
- And also omnichannel marketing campaigns deliver timely, personalized experiences for every user.
How To Use The Different Databases Marketing In Your Company
A CRM database organizes customer information, including contact details, order details, purchases, favorite products, and customer service call details. This data is used for marketing, promotions, exporting email addresses, and preparing shipping labels, ensuring efficient business management.
Payroll and Scheduling
A database simplifies payroll and scheduling by managing employee information like wage, salary, tax rates, income, vacation time, and retirement contributions.
Data Analysis
Databases provide robust reporting for data analysis, predicting future trends and helping businesses anticipate and meet customer needs by analyzing sales promotion effectiveness.
Inventory Tracking
An inventory tracking database equipped with integrated barcodes and scanners monitors warehouse, storage room, and store shelves inventory levels, updating the database automatically. It also alerts us about product and supply shortages.
Conclusion
Previously, companies stored data offline, like accountants keeping customer information in folders and files. Today, data is stored online, making it easier to find and secure. Databases are present in all contexts; without them, a company’s growth is impossible.