Behavioral and attitudinal segmentation is a marketing technique that divides customers into small groups based on their behaviors and attitudes.

Behavioral segmentation usually is based on how the customers behave in front of the products or services they purchase, their frequency of purchase, and their loyalty to the brand.

On the other hand, attitudinal segmentation is based on customers’ attitudes, such as their beliefs, values, and opinions about a product or service.

These two segmentation practices can help marketers to have a better understanding of their customers, and also tailor their marketing efforts to specific customer groups. For example, a company might use behavioral segmentation to identify its most loyal customers, and then use attitudinal segmentation to understand the attitudes and beliefs of these customers. The company could then use this information to create targeted marketing campaigns more likely to resonate with these customers.

To conduct behavioral and attitudinal segmentation, marketers typically collect data on customer behavior and attitudes through different methods, such as surveys, focus groups, and customer interactions. This data is then analyzed to identify common patterns and trends that will be used to build customer segments.

Once the customer segments have been identified, marketers can create targeted campaigns tailored to the specific needs and preferences of each segment previously defined. For example, a company might create different marketing messages and offers for customers who are loyal to the brand, and for customers who are new to the brand.

Overall, behavioral and attitudinal segmentation is a powerful tool for marketers, as it allows them to have a better customer understanding and create more effective marketing campaigns. By segmenting customers based on their behaviors and attitudes, marketers can tailor their messages and offer to specific customer groups and increase the likelihood of success.

Common mistakes in behavioral and attitudinal segmentation

Here are some common mistakes that organizations can make when conducting behavioral and attitudinal segmentation:

  1. Not collecting enough data: One of the biggest organizational mistakes is not collecting enough data on customer behavior and attitudes. This issue can lead to incomplete or inaccurate segments and prevent the organization from getting deep customer understanding.
  2. Not using diverse data source sets: Another common mistake is to rely on a single data source, such as surveys when conducting behavioral and attitudinal segmentation. This issue can result in a biased or incomplete view of customer behavior and attitudes and prevent the organization from gaining a complete customer understanding.
  3. Not regularly reviewing and updating segments: Behavioral and attitudinal build segments could change over time, as customer behavior and attitudes evolve. However, many organizations fail to review and update regularly their results which can result in outdated or inaccurate segments.
  4. Not using segmentation to inform marketing strategy: Behavioral and attitudinal segmentation is a valuable tool for marketing strategy development, but many organizations fail to use segmentation in this way. This issue can result in marketing campaigns not tailored to the customer segments’ specific needs and preferences, and that is not likely to be effective.
  5. Not involving all stakeholders in the segmentation process: Behavioral and attitudinal segmentation have a major impact on the organization, so it is critical to involve all stakeholders in the process. This action can help to ensure that the segments are relevant and meaningful and that the organization can use them effectively.

Behavioral and attitudinal segmentation best practices

Here are some best practices for implementing behavioral and attitudinal segmentation:

  1. Collect a diverse set of data: If you want to develop accurate and meaningful customer segments, it is critical to collect diverse data and information based on customer behavior and attitudes. This collection can be done using a variety of data sources, such as surveys, focus groups, customer interactions, and social media data.
  2. Use advanced analytics tools: Once you decide to analyze and interpret the data collected, it is critical to use advanced analytics tools, such as machine learning algorithms and natural language processing. These tools can help you to identify patterns and trends in the data and can provide insights that would not be possible with manual analysis.
  3. Review and update the segments regularly: Behavioral and attitudinal segments can change over time, so it is critical to review and update the segments’ data and information regularly. This exercise can involve collecting new data and using advanced analytics to identify changes in customer behavior and attitudes.
  4. Use segmentation to inform marketing strategy: Behavioral and attitudinal segmentation can provide valuable insights that can inform marketing strategy. By using segmentation to understand the needs and preferences of different customer groups, marketers can create targeted campaigns that are more likely to be effective.
  5. Involve all stakeholders in the process: Behavioral and attitudinal segmentation will have an impact on the organization and its customers. So it is a must instead of a nice to have, to involve all stakeholders in the process. This practice can help to ensure that the segments are relevant and meaningful and that the organization can use them effectively.

Examples of behavioral and attitudinal segmentation

Here are three examples of behavioral and attitudinal segmentation:

A retail company uses behavioral segmentation to identify its most loyal customers and then uses attitudinal segmentation to understand the attitudes and beliefs of these customers. The company creates a targeted marketing campaign designed to appeal to the specific needs and preferences of the customer segment and offers exclusive discounts and promotions.

A financial services company that uses behavioral segmentation to identify customers likely to be interested in investing in stocks and mutual funds. The company then uses attitudinal segmentation to understand the attitudes and beliefs of these customers and creates a marketing-tailored campaign to the customer’s specific needs and preferences.

A healthcare provider uses behavioral segmentation to identify patients who have not visited the clinic in the past year and then uses attitudinal segmentation to understand why these patients have not returned. The marketing team creates a targeted marketing campaign designed to address the specific customers’ concerns and objections in this customer segment. Then that offers incentives and rewards to encourage them to return to the clinic.

The image used in this post belongs to Namogoo.