Back to blog

How to segment customers using demographics and behavior

November 18, 2023 | Jimit Mehta

Imagine you're a business owner trying to figure out how to attract more customers and boost your sales. You know your product or service is great, but how can you make sure the right people are hearing about it? Understanding your customers is key, and that's where segmentation comes in.

Segmentation is the process of dividing your customer base into groups based on shared characteristics. By identifying these groups, you can tailor your marketing efforts to better appeal to each segment and ultimately drive more business.

Demographics and behavior are two important factors to consider when segmenting your customers. Demographics include characteristics such as age, gender, income, and education level, while behavior refers to how customers interact with your brand, such as their buying habits or online activity.

Combining these two factors can provide valuable insights into your customer base and help you create targeted marketing strategies that resonate with each segment. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of customer segmentation using demographics and behavior, and show you how to use this powerful technique to take your business to the next level.

What is customer segmentation?

Customer segmentation is a process of dividing a group of customers into smaller sub-groups based on specific shared characteristics or behaviors. By grouping customers with similar traits together, businesses can better understand their customers' needs, preferences, and behaviors, and create more targeted marketing strategies to meet their specific demands.

In simple terms, customer segmentation involves identifying different types of customers with varying needs, interests, and behaviors and then grouping them into specific segments. The segments can be based on various factors such as demographics (age, gender, income), psychographics (personality, lifestyle), geography (location), and behavior (buying habits, engagement).

Customer segmentation helps businesses to create targeted marketing campaigns that appeal to specific customer segments. For instance, if a business identifies a customer segment that is primarily interested in environmentally-friendly products, the company can create marketing campaigns that appeal to this group's values and preferences. Similarly, if a business identifies a customer segment that prefers buying online, the company can focus on developing its e-commerce platform to make it easier for customers to shop online.

Overall, customer segmentation helps businesses to gain a better understanding of their customers, increase customer satisfaction, and ultimately drive more revenue by creating targeted marketing campaigns and providing personalized experiences to each customer segment.

Personalize every website interaction
Try for free

Why is customer segmentation important?

Customer segmentation is critical for any business looking to succeed in today's competitive marketplace. Here are a few reasons why customer segmentation is so important:

  1. Better understanding of customer needs: By grouping customers with similar traits together, businesses can better understand their customers' needs, preferences, and behaviors. This understanding enables companies to provide personalized experiences to each customer segment and develop products and services that meet their specific needs.

  2. Targeted marketing: Customer segmentation allows businesses to create targeted marketing campaigns that appeal to specific customer segments. By tailoring marketing messages to each segment's interests and behaviors, companies can increase the effectiveness of their marketing efforts and drive more conversions.

  3. Improved customer satisfaction: By providing personalized experiences to each customer segment, businesses can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. When customers feel understood and valued, they are more likely to remain loyal to a brand and recommend it to others.

  4. Increased revenue: By creating targeted marketing campaigns and improving customer satisfaction, businesses can ultimately drive more revenue. When customers receive personalized experiences and marketing messages, they are more likely to make a purchase and become repeat customers.

In short, customer segmentation is essential for businesses looking to succeed in today's marketplace. By better understanding customer needs, creating targeted marketing campaigns, improving customer satisfaction, and increasing revenue, customer segmentation can help businesses achieve their goals and stay competitive.

How can demographics help you segment your customers?

Demographic data refers to statistical information that describes a group of people based on their shared characteristics, such as age, gender, income, education level, and occupation. Demographics can be used to segment customers into different groups based on these shared characteristics.

Demographics can help businesses understand their customers' needs and behaviors better. For instance, age can help businesses determine which products and services might be most appealing to certain customer groups. Income can help businesses determine which price points are most likely to be successful. Education level can provide insights into how customers might engage with marketing messages and what types of media they prefer.

Demographic data can be collected through a variety of methods, including customer surveys, transaction data, and public records. Once collected, businesses can use this data to segment their customers into different groups, allowing them to tailor marketing campaigns and develop products and services that meet the specific needs of each segment.

For example, a clothing retailer might use demographic data to segment its customers into groups based on age, gender, and income level. Based on this segmentation, the retailer might create different marketing campaigns for each group, highlighting products that are most likely to appeal to each segment. The retailer might also adjust its pricing strategy based on the different income levels of each segment, offering discounts to lower-income customers and premium products to higher-income customers.

In summary, demographic data is a powerful tool for segmenting customers. By understanding the shared characteristics of different customer groups, businesses can tailor their marketing campaigns and product offerings to meet the specific needs of each segment, ultimately driving more revenue and improving customer satisfaction.

How to collect demographic data from your customers

Collecting demographic data from customers can help businesses gain valuable insights into their target audience and segment their customers for more effective marketing. Here are some ways businesses can collect demographic data from their customers:

  1. Surveys: Surveys can be an effective way to collect demographic data from customers. Businesses can send out surveys via email, social media, or in-store to gather information such as age, gender, income, and occupation.

  2. Sign-up forms: When customers sign up for an account, newsletter, or loyalty program, businesses can include fields that ask for demographic information. This information can be used to segment customers and create more targeted marketing campaigns.

  3. Transaction data: Transaction data can also provide valuable demographic insights. Businesses can track customer purchases and analyze data such as age, gender, and income to identify trends and segment customers accordingly.

  4. Social media: Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer detailed demographic insights into their users. Businesses can use these insights to target their social media advertising to specific demographic groups.

  5. Third-party data sources: Businesses can also purchase demographic data from third-party providers. These providers collect data from various sources and can offer detailed demographic insights that can be used for customer segmentation.

When collecting demographic data from customers, businesses should be transparent about how the data will be used and ensure that they are complying with privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA. Businesses should also ensure that they are collecting only the data that is necessary for their marketing and segmentation purposes.

In summary, collecting demographic data from customers can be an effective way to segment customers and create more targeted marketing campaigns. Surveys, sign-up forms, transaction data, social media, and third-party data sources are all viable options for collecting demographic data.

What are some common demographic segmentation categories?

Demographic segmentation is a marketing strategy that involves dividing a target market into smaller groups based on shared demographic characteristics. These categories can vary depending on the industry, product, or service being marketed, but there are some common demographic segmentation categories that many businesses use. Here are some examples:

  1. Age: Age is one of the most common demographic segmentation categories. Age can provide insights into a customer's stage of life, purchasing power, and preferences. Businesses may segment their customers by age groups such as Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers, and seniors.

  2. Gender: Gender can also be used as a demographic segmentation category. Businesses may tailor their marketing messages, product offerings, and pricing strategies based on the gender of their target audience.

  3. Income: Income level is another common demographic segmentation category. Businesses may segment their customers into different income brackets, such as low-income, middle-income, and high-income. This can help them create pricing strategies and product offerings that are appropriate for each segment.

  4. Education level: Education level is another useful demographic segmentation category that can help businesses understand their customers' preferences and purchasing behaviors. Customers with higher levels of education may have different needs and interests than those with lower levels of education.

  5. Geographic location: Geographic location can also be used as a demographic segmentation category. Businesses may segment their customers by city, state, region, or country to tailor their marketing messages and product offerings to the specific needs and preferences of each geographic segment.

  6. Occupation: Occupation is another demographic segmentation category that can provide valuable insights into customers' interests and purchasing behaviors. Businesses may segment their customers by occupation, such as healthcare professionals, teachers, or business executives.

In summary, demographic segmentation is a powerful marketing strategy that can help businesses better understand their target audience and tailor their marketing efforts accordingly. Age, gender, income level, education level, geographic location, and occupation are some common demographic segmentation categories that businesses may use to segment their customers.

How can behavior help you segment your customers?

Behavioral segmentation is a marketing strategy that involves dividing a target market into smaller groups based on their behavior or actions. This approach can be particularly effective for businesses because it focuses on customers' actual behavior rather than their assumed characteristics. Here are some ways businesses can use behavior to segment their customers:

  1. Purchase history: One of the most common ways to use behavior to segment customers is by analyzing their purchase history. Businesses can use this information to identify patterns and segment their customers based on factors such as frequency of purchase, types of products purchased, and average order value.

  2. Website behavior: Businesses can also analyze customers' behavior on their website to segment them based on their interests and preferences. For example, a business may segment customers who frequently visit the same product category or spend a lot of time on their blog.

  3. Engagement level: Another way to use behavior to segment customers is by analyzing their level of engagement with a business. This can include factors such as social media engagement, email open rates, and participation in loyalty programs.

  4. Response to marketing campaigns: Businesses can also segment customers based on their response to marketing campaigns. For example, customers who open and click through email marketing campaigns may be segmented separately from those who don't.

  5. Customer feedback: Finally, businesses can use customer feedback to segment their customers based on their level of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. This can help businesses identify areas for improvement and tailor their marketing efforts to address customer concerns.

In summary, behavioral segmentation is a powerful marketing strategy that allows businesses to segment their customers based on their actual behavior rather than assumed characteristics. Purchase history, website behavior, engagement level, response to marketing campaigns, and customer feedback are all ways that businesses can use behavior to segment their customers. By understanding their customers' behavior, businesses can create more targeted and effective marketing campaigns that resonate with their target audience.

How to collect behavioral data from your customers

Collecting behavioral data from customers is an important part of segmentation because it allows businesses to better understand their customers' actions and preferences. Here are some ways to collect behavioral data from your customers:

  1. Website analytics: One of the easiest ways to collect behavioral data is through website analytics. By using tools like Google Analytics, businesses can track how customers interact with their website, including which pages they visit, how long they stay, and which actions they take.

  2. Sales data: Sales data is another valuable source of behavioral data. By analyzing customers' purchase history, businesses can identify patterns and segment their customers based on factors such as frequency of purchase and average order value.

  3. Surveys: Surveys are a great way to collect direct feedback from customers about their behavior and preferences. By asking targeted questions about their purchase behavior, interests, and preferences, businesses can gain valuable insights into their customers' behavior.

  4. Social media analytics: Social media platforms also provide a wealth of behavioral data. By analyzing engagement rates, click-through rates, and other metrics, businesses can identify which types of content resonate most with their audience and use this information to tailor their marketing efforts.

  5. Customer support data: Customer support data, such as call logs and chat transcripts, can also provide valuable insights into customers' behavior and preferences. By analyzing this data, businesses can identify common pain points and improve their customer service to better meet their customers' needs.

In summary, collecting behavioral data from customers is a crucial step in customer segmentation. Website analytics, sales data, surveys, social media analytics, and customer support data are all useful sources of behavioral data that businesses can use to better understand their customers and create more effective marketing campaigns. By collecting and analyzing this data, businesses can identify patterns and tailor their marketing efforts to better meet their customers' needs.

What are some common behavioral segmentation categories?

Behavioral segmentation is a powerful marketing strategy that involves dividing a target market into smaller groups based on their actions or behavior. Here are some common behavioral segmentation categories that businesses use to better understand their customers:

  1. Purchase behavior: This category involves segmenting customers based on their purchase history. Businesses can segment their customers based on factors such as frequency of purchase, types of products purchased, and average order value.

  2. Website behavior: Website behavior involves segmenting customers based on their interactions with a business's website. This can include factors such as which pages they visit, how long they stay on each page, and which actions they take.

  3. Engagement level: Engagement level involves segmenting customers based on their level of interaction with a business. This can include factors such as social media engagement, email open rates, and participation in loyalty programs.

  4. Geographic location: Geographic location involves segmenting customers based on their physical location. This can be useful for businesses that have different products or services available in different regions.

  5. Occasion-based behavior: This category involves segmenting customers based on specific occasions or events, such as holidays or birthdays. Businesses can use this information to create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with customers during these occasions.

  6. Response to marketing campaigns: Response to marketing campaigns involves segmenting customers based on their reaction to specific marketing campaigns. Businesses can use this information to tailor their marketing efforts to better meet their customers' needs and preferences.

In summary, there are many different ways that businesses can use behavioral segmentation to better understand their customers. Purchase behavior, website behavior, engagement level, geographic location, occasion-based behavior, and response to marketing campaigns are all common behavioral segmentation categories that businesses use to create more effective marketing campaigns and improve their customer engagement.

How to combine demographics and behavior for more effective segmentation

Combining demographics and behavior is a powerful strategy for customer segmentation that can help businesses create more targeted and effective marketing campaigns. Here are some steps businesses can take to combine demographics and behavior for more effective segmentation:

  1. Define customer personas: The first step in combining demographics and behavior is to define customer personas. This involves creating fictional representations of different customer groups based on factors such as age, income, location, and behavior.

  2. Collect demographic data: To combine demographics and behavior, businesses need to collect data on their customers' demographics. This can include factors such as age, gender, income, education level, and occupation.

  3. Collect behavioral data: Businesses also need to collect data on their customers' behavior. This can include factors such as purchase behavior, website behavior, engagement level, and response to marketing campaigns.

  4. Identify patterns: Once businesses have collected demographic and behavioral data, they can start to identify patterns. This involves looking for correlations between different demographic factors and behaviors. For example, businesses might find that younger customers are more likely to make purchases online, while older customers prefer to make purchases in-store.

  5. Create targeted campaigns: Based on the patterns identified, businesses can create targeted marketing campaigns that are tailored to different customer personas. For example, a business might create a social media campaign that targets younger customers who have shown an interest in a specific product category.

  6. Test and refine: Finally, businesses should test their campaigns and refine their segmentation strategy over time. By analyzing the results of their campaigns and adjusting their segmentation approach, businesses can continue to improve their marketing efforts and better meet their customers' needs.

In summary, combining demographics and behavior is a powerful strategy for customer segmentation that can help businesses create more targeted and effective marketing campaigns. By defining customer personas, collecting demographic and behavioral data, identifying patterns, and creating targeted campaigns, businesses can improve their customer engagement and drive more sales.

How to use customer segmentation in your marketing strategy

Customer segmentation is a crucial element of any effective marketing strategy. Here are some steps businesses can take to use customer segmentation in their marketing strategy:

  1. Define target segments: The first step is to define the target segments. Businesses need to identify the customer groups they want to target based on factors such as demographics, behavior, interests, and needs.

  2. Develop targeted messaging: Once businesses have identified their target segments, they can develop messaging that is tailored to each group's specific needs and interests. This involves creating content and messaging that resonates with each group.

  3. Use targeted channels: Businesses should also use channels that are most effective for reaching each target segment. For example, younger customers might be more receptive to social media advertising, while older customers might prefer traditional advertising channels like TV or print.

  4. Customize offers: To maximize the effectiveness of their marketing efforts, businesses should also customize offers based on each target segment's needs and interests. This can involve offering promotions, discounts, or special deals that are specifically targeted to each group.

  5. Track and measure results: Finally, businesses should track and measure the results of their marketing efforts to determine which segments are responding most effectively. This allows businesses to adjust their strategy and refine their approach over time.

In summary, using customer segmentation in your marketing strategy involves defining target segments, developing targeted messaging, using targeted channels, customizing offers, and tracking and measuring results. By taking these steps, businesses can create more effective marketing campaigns that resonate with their target customers and drive more sales.

Examples of successful customer segmentation in real-world businesses

Customer segmentation is a powerful marketing strategy that can help businesses target their marketing efforts and improve their overall customer engagement. Here are a few examples of successful customer segmentation in real-world businesses:

  1. Amazon: Amazon is a great example of a business that uses customer segmentation effectively. The company uses a variety of data points, including purchase history and browsing behavior, to tailor its recommendations to each individual customer. By doing so, Amazon is able to provide a personalized shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.

  2. Nike: Nike is another business that uses customer segmentation effectively. The company targets different customer groups with customized messaging and product offerings. For example, Nike's Jordan brand is targeted at younger, urban customers, while its golf line is targeted at older, affluent customers.

  3. Starbucks: Starbucks is known for its customer segmentation strategy, which involves creating a personalized experience for each customer. The company uses data points such as purchase history and location to offer customized promotions and discounts to its customers.

  4. Netflix: Netflix uses customer segmentation to recommend personalized content to its users. The company uses data such as viewing history and ratings to provide customized recommendations that keep customers engaged and coming back for more.

  5. Spotify: Spotify uses customer segmentation to provide a personalized listening experience for each user. The company uses data such as listening history and location to recommend music that is tailored to each user's individual preferences.

In summary, there are many real-world examples of businesses that use customer segmentation effectively. By tailoring their marketing efforts to different customer groups, businesses can improve their overall customer engagement and drive more sales.

Tips for implementing customer segmentation in your business

Implementing customer segmentation in your business can be a powerful marketing strategy that can help you better understand your customers and tailor your marketing efforts to their needs and interests. Here are a few tips to help you get started with implementing customer segmentation in your business:

  1. Define your target segments: The first step in implementing customer segmentation is to define your target segments. Identify the groups of customers you want to target based on factors such as demographics, behavior, interests, and needs.

  2. Collect data: Collecting data is essential for effective customer segmentation. Use surveys, analytics tools, and other data collection methods to gather information on your customers, including demographics, purchase history, and browsing behavior.

  3. Analyze your data: Once you have collected your data, analyze it to identify patterns and trends. Look for commonalities among your customers and use this information to create customer segments.

  4. Develop targeted messaging: Use the insights gained from your data analysis to develop targeted messaging that resonates with each customer segment. Tailor your messaging to each group's specific needs and interests.

  5. Use targeted channels: Use the channels that are most effective for reaching each target segment. For example, younger customers might be more receptive to social media advertising, while older customers might prefer traditional advertising channels like TV or print.

  6. Customize offers: Offer promotions, discounts, or special deals that are specifically targeted to each customer segment. This can help to increase the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and drive more sales.

  7. Test and measure: Test different marketing strategies and track the results to determine what is working and what is not. Use this information to refine your approach over time.

In summary, implementing customer segmentation in your business involves defining your target segments, collecting and analyzing data, developing targeted messaging, using targeted channels, customizing offers, and testing and measuring your results. By following these tips, you can create a more effective marketing strategy that resonates with your customers and drives more sales.

Tools and resources for customer segmentation

Implementing customer segmentation can be a complex process that requires the use of specialized tools and resources. Here are a few tools and resources that can help you with customer segmentation:

  1. CRM Software: CRM software can help you track and analyze customer data, including purchase history, demographics, and behavior. Many CRM systems offer advanced segmentation capabilities that allow you to create targeted customer segments based on specific criteria.

  2. Analytics Tools: Analytics tools like Google Analytics can help you track customer behavior on your website, such as which pages they visit, how long they stay, and which products they view. This data can be used to create more effective customer segments.

  3. Survey Tools: Surveys can be a useful tool for collecting customer data, including demographics, interests, and preferences. Survey tools like SurveyMonkey make it easy to create and distribute surveys to your customers.

  4. Social Media Listening Tools: Social media listening tools like Hootsuite and Sprout Social can help you monitor social media channels for customer feedback and sentiment. This data can be used to create more effective customer segments.

  5. Data Providers: Data providers like Experian and Acxiom offer a range of data services, including demographic data, behavior data, and predictive modeling. These services can be used to supplement your own customer data and create more comprehensive customer segments.

  6. Customer Segmentation Templates: There are many customer segmentation templates available online that can help you get started with creating customer segments. These templates provide a framework for organizing your customer data and developing targeted messaging.

In summary, customer segmentation requires the use of specialized tools and resources to collect, analyze, and organize customer data. CRM software, analytics tools, survey tools, social media listening tools, data providers, and customer segmentation templates can all be useful resources for creating more effective customer segments.

Over to you

In today's highly competitive market, understanding your customers is essential to creating effective marketing strategies. Customer segmentation is a powerful tool that helps businesses divide their customer base into smaller, more targeted groups. By segmenting customers based on demographics and behavior, businesses can create targeted messaging that resonates with their customers, ultimately leading to increased engagement and revenue.

Demographics, such as age, gender, income, and education, can provide valuable insights into customer preferences and behaviors. Businesses can collect demographic data from a variety of sources, including customer surveys, website analytics, and CRM software. Common demographic segmentation categories include age, gender, income, education, and geographic location.

Behavioral segmentation, on the other hand, focuses on customer actions and preferences. Businesses can collect behavioral data through website analytics, CRM software, and social media listening tools. Common behavioral segmentation categories include purchase history, browsing behavior, and social media engagement.

Combining demographic and behavioral data can lead to more effective segmentation strategies. Businesses can use this data to create highly targeted customer segments that are more likely to engage with their messaging. Successful businesses have used customer segmentation to improve their marketing strategies and increase engagement and revenue.

Implementing customer segmentation can be complex, but there are many tools and resources available to help businesses collect, analyze, and organize customer data. CRM software, analytics tools, survey tools, social media listening tools, data providers, and customer segmentation templates can all be useful resources for creating more effective customer segments.

In summary, customer segmentation is an essential tool for businesses looking t


Related posts

How to segment customers based on their engagement with your brand

In today's competitive market, it's not enough to simply attract customers to your brand - you need to keep them engaged in order to foster long-term loyalty. But how do you know if your customers are truly engaged? And how can you tailor your marketing strategies to meet their needs and...

Read more

The role of customer segmentation in customer journey analysis

Have you ever received a marketing email that felt so personalized, you couldn't help but click through to the website? Or maybe you've walked into a store and felt like the sales associate knew exactly what you were looking for. These experiences are no accident. They are the result of companies...

Read more