Market segmentation is a process that consists of sectioning the target market into smaller groups that share similar characteristics, such as age, income, personality traits, behavior, interests, needs or location. These segments can be used to optimize products, marketing, advertising and sales efforts.
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Through Market Segmentation, organisations can consider the basic needs of their customers more effectively. Instead of producing products for random groups, it becomes easier to service a specific target group. In this way, businesses can align, their product range, differentiation strategies, marketing strategies and price strategies etc. with their customers. This decreases the chance of company taking unnecessary risks.
Segmentation literally means dividing something into parts. This also happens on the sales market. A segment is a group of (potential) customers that share a number of characteristics. For example, when a group of approximately 50 people gathers, one can ask who is over 25 years old.
Market Segmentation is as old as marketing itself; because an organisation aims at specific target groups, they can match their products and / or services even better to the needs of their customers. In marketing, it's all about conquering the market and maintaining an advantage.
The market is segmented based on the target group’s level of education, their profession or the sector in which they work and their income. More expensive car brands, for example, target the higher income segment.
This is one of the reasons why ‘hipsters’ travel to more diverse neighbourhoods to do their food shopping.
One that’s frequently mentioned first is that it costs money. Each target group has to be approached individually. The C&A example demonstrates this well.
Consumers differ from each other and therefore also respond differently to the entire marketing mix: the combination of 5 Ps, product, price, place (distribution), promotion, people (of your business).
Market segmentation consists of sectioning the target market into smaller groups that share similar characteristics. Learn more.
Place: The ultimate goal of segmentation is to decide how you offer a product to each group of consumers and make it pleasant to them.
Segmentation allows brands to create strategies for different types of consumers, depending on how they perceive the overall value of certain products and services. In this way they can introduce a more personalized message with the certainty that it will be received successfully.
Psychographic segmentation consists of grouping the target audience based on their behavior, lifestyle, attitudes and interests.
Behavioral segmentation focuses on specific reactions, i.e. the consumer behaviors, patterns and the way customers go through their decision-making and purchasing processes.
There are 4 types of market segmentation. Below, we describe each of them:
Attract potential customers: By sending direct and clear marketing messages, you attract the right audience and are more likely to convert them into buyers.
Market segmentation is a marketing term that refers to aggregating prospective buyers into groups or segments with common needs and who respond similarly to a marketing action. Market segmentation enables companies to target different categories of consumers who perceive the full value of certain products and services differently from one another.
Markets can be segmented in several ways such as geographically, demographically, or behaviorally. Market segmentation helps companies minimize risk by figuring out which products are the most likely to earn a share of a target market and the best ways to market and deliver those products to the market. With risk minimized and clarity about the ...
Companies can generally use three criteria to identify different market segments: For example, an athletic footwear company might have market segments for basketball players and long-distance runners. As distinct groups, basketball players and long-distance runners respond to very different advertisements.
Market segmentation allows a company to increase its overall efficiency by focusing limited resources on efforts that produce the best return on investment (ROI).
Companies can segment markets in several ways: Demographically by age, gender, family size, income, or life cycle. Psychographically by social class, lifestyle, or personality. The objective is to enable the company to differentiate its products or message according to the common dimensions of the market segment.
Companies can generally use three criteria to identify different market segments: 1 Homogeneity, or common needs within a segment 2 Distinction, or being unique from other groups 3 Reaction, or a similar response to the market
Types of segmentation include homogeneity, which looks at a segment's common needs, distinction, which looks at how the particular group stands apart from others, and reaction, or how certain groups respond to the market.
Segmenting the market helps you understand your customers and their needs. Market segmentation consists of dividing your audience into different groups based on their common characteristics. These groups, or segments, are smaller and more manageable, making it easier to adapt your marketing campaign for different customers.
Here are the five standard categories of market segmentation with examples of each:
Segmenting your market allows you to define your audience's characteristics, like their ages, interests, buying habits and locations. Once you better understand your audience, you can deliver advertising that speaks to a specific category.
Here are some basic steps when you’re ready to implement your own market segmentation:
Consider the following market segmentation tips as you get started or begin exploring additional potential segments: