Collecting customer information is vital in all industries.
This data helps you identify the areas you need to improve to acquire new customers, strengthen the customer value of your existing customer base, and improve customer retention metrics across the board.
But how do you actually collect data, and what’s the correct way to use it?
Here’s a guide to customer data and how you can seize the many opportunities that data presents.
1. Transactional Data
You can obtain a lot of information from your customers if you know where to look.
The most non-invasive way of collecting data is by using information that’s already captured from your daily transactions or sales.
These are called transactional data and you can easily obtain this information to identify:
- Best-selling products
- Worst-selling products
- Peak hours
- Off-peak hours
- And more!
Not to worry, a small business can do this too, with the right technology. For example, the StoreHub BackOffice comes with real-time reports that let you access all the important data you need, wherever and whenever.
2. Surveys
Yes, we get it: Most people do not like surveys.
But surveys can give you valuable information you need to improve your business.
It is one of the best ways to extract deeper information from your customers and learn more about them and your business.
Here are a few tips when building a survey:
- Time spent filling out surveys
- Type of incentives to offer
- Informing the customers on how the information collected will be used
3. Loyalty Program
Offering a loyalty program does not only boost customer retention but also extends its use as a customer data platform.
It can be as simple as a punch card, or a platform that allows customers to log in and check their point status.
You can also offer members extra program points if they provide more information such as their birth date and zip code, or even throw in a short Yes/No question for survey purposes and reward them for their participation.
Feel free to get as creative as possible to attract more members to your loyalty program!
Pro tip: StoreHub’s Beep Cashback feature is an easy customer loyalty program software you can utilise. It allows you to run a super easy QR cashback loyalty program for your retail or F&B business.
You can also manage and measure customer engagement better and see what kind of perks your customers respond to by integrating your loyalty program with your customer-centric POS like StoreHub’s POS System.
4. Social Media
You can start by looking at your follower list and ask yourself these questions:
- Who is drawn to your brand?
- Who are your target audience and potential customers?
Engage with them by asking close-ended questions in your captions, using Instagram polls and question stickers to request feedback or any information you’d need.
Instagram polls are not only a handy tool to drive up social media engagement, but it also allows your customers to weigh in on a product or service that you’re considering.
Use Instagram question stickers to ask for feedback or suggestions on how you can improve your products or services for your customers.
5. Website
You can start gathering data from your potential customers as soon as they first land on your website. Consider having automated systems in place to capture data immediately, such as:
- Chatbots
- Pop-ups that tease them with free shipping upon first purchase if they enter their email or tell you where they heard about your business.
Don’t forget to use Google Analytics to see what your audience is engaging with on your website.
Pay attention to metrics like page views, bounce rate, traffic source, and other helpful metrics to see where they’re coming from.
You can then gather all this data and use it to target your customers whilst improving your business.
Leverage your customer data!
Don’t miss out and gain customer insights to better support your business goals.
Manage your customer loyalty and collect data with ease by investing in a POS system (like StoreHub) – that doubles as a customer intelligence platform!
Power your F&B business with StoreHub’s all-in-one restaurant management system now
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