Getting to Know Your Customers: 7 Data Points You Should Always Collect

Customer data is a vital way to grow your customer base and help you gain insight into who your customers are. Whether you’re a B2B or a B2C business, there are crucial data points you should be collecting via lead generation tools or surveys.

Of course, if your data collection goals exceed the seven data points listed here, consider partnering with a data streaming provider like Striim. With scalable data integration and streaming software as a service, sorting and analyzing key data won’t involve the same heavy lifting. After lightening your load, you’ll be able to remedy customer concerns almost instantly–instead of laboring day and night to derive insights from hundreds of data points.

Basic customer contact information

If nothing else, you should make a point to collect your customer’s basic contact information, including their full name, phone number, and email address.

The more basic information you have from a customer, the easier it will be to contact them in the future for marketiig promotions or company surveys.

Customer interests

If you’re looking to expand upon the contact information you have on your customers, ask them about their interests, which will help you build a more accurate customer profile that will help you target similar future customers.

Communication preferences

Of course, it’s also crucial that the basic customer contact information that you collect is used responsibly. That means asking your customers not only which method they prefer to be contacted by but how often they are willing to hear from you.

User experience data

A large part of your business’ performance relates to how satisfied your customers are. It is necessary to collect user experience data that will illustrate how customers use your product or service, consumers’ level of satisfaction, or pressing complaints that need voicing.

You can use this information to improve how your business runs. Collecting this data is also vital for creating more products and services that will benefit future and existing customers alike.

Will customers recommend your business to others?

One of the best customer data points you can collect is how willing your existing customers will be to recommend you to others.

Not only does this let you know if you’re on the right path and doing things your customers like, but it can also help you adjust your current processes and ultimately improve faster.

Learn why a customer left

Inevitably, you will lose a customer throughout the course of doing business. It can be extremely helpful for businesses to collect data on why a customer abandoned their cart, where they left the website, or why they have chosen not to utilize your services in the future.

Follow-up emails asking customers to elaborate on why they left can help you improve the overall experience for future customers.

Understand why a customer chose your business

It is equally important to understand why a customer chose your business in the first place. Are they fans of your existing website design, your social media content, or your attentive customer service process?

If customers prefer something about your business and you change it without knowing they like it, you could accidentally alienate customers. Knowing what they love about your business will ensure they return in the future.

Wrap up

Customer data is more important than ever before. The data you collect will help your business grow, improve, and ultimately attract future customers.