What is a differential pricing strategy?

25/07/2019

Angela de la Vieja

There are as many different pricing strategies as there are needs, for Brands and eCommerce’s, and they are also as varied as the potential buyers they want to reach. When establishing dynamic price strategies, it is necessary to consider innumerable factors that all come together at the precise moment the decision to purchase is made.

Within pricing trends, dynamic pricing strategies are king, as far as the digital world is concerned. However, we cannot lose sight of certain, more traditional, options that continue to reinforce the adaptation of prices for each type of user, depending on their needs and their connection point with the brand.

This is the case for differential pricing strategies. Differential pricing forms a fundamental part of a dynamic pricing strategy since its principles are based, in essence, on fulfilling the same objective: to adjust the price of each product according to the changing characteristics of each user.

Differential pricing strategies seek to offer users the best price option enabling them to finalise their purchase. In what way are these adjustments carried out? There are several options, from adapting prices depending on geographical region, to the point of contact the user has with the online store.

One of the clearest examples of a differential pricing strategy is that of a specific promotion for a specific user segment. This type of approach can range from, examples like, opening a store at a new point to launching a product with an exclusive pre-sale price.

On the other hand, differential pricing strategies can be used while taking into consideration the state in which the user is with respect to their decision making. Some online stores already put this type of strategy into practice by analysing how many times the same user has consulted a product, if it has been added to their favourites, and if it is in the shopping cart, how long this product has passed in the cart until the transaction is completed, if it was finally checked out.

In these cases, the online store can choose to define a different pricing strategy for these users, offering them, at the right time, an improved price to attempt to ensure their purchase. Of course, in all cases the price has to be advantageous for the store, and not be excessively low in order to secure a purchase that, in the long run, will not be profitable for the business.

Analyse user states to define prices

A differential pricing strategy is based on the characteristics of each user at each moment in time, it seems that this is already pretty clear, but what should you take into account when establishing these user differences? The answer is as many elements as may be required. At this point the ability of the sales team to know and understand their target audience needs comes into play. Defining a good customer journey to define the pricing strategy is an essential step if we want the user to find the product they want, at any time, with the best conditions for their purchase.

To define how to group these different types of users it is necessary to identify the indicators that mark the differences between them. The results of this task will depend, in essence, on the particularity of the relationship between the audience and brand together with the characteristics of the target audience, which may vary according to the type of product, the purchasing process or market position.

Once the differential pricing strategy is defined, implementing it should be the key step in order to make the most of its benefits. With a pricing tool it is possible for any brand or online store to select each and every one of the factors that needs to be taken into account to adjust the prices of its products and to do it with total security, in an automated fashion and with expert advice.

11/11/2022

Consumer behavior: How can behavior tracking be effective for setting the right pricing strategies?

Behavior tracking is becoming massively popular today. As a result, pricing strategies born from studying consumer behavior are a merchant's dream come true. If done right, it can conquer every market for the business quickly. With abundant data available, the strategic makeover of the pricing models is becoming easy for companies.

What is behavioral tracking, and how is the data beneficial in pricing?

For a quick understanding, behavioral tracking refers to gaining in-depth knowledge and insights into consumers through their web data. Their browsing habits, spontaneous decisions, shopping interests, and preferences come under behavioral tracking.

How can enterprises use customer behavior data?

Companies can use customer behavior data as a tool to strengthen their hold on the market. A customer’s preferences, values, and tendencies allow businesses to work in sync with them through the collected data. Apart from this, customer behavior can also aid in:

Tailoring customer needs for customer retention

Personalization is becoming the heart of a company’s growth. No matter in which area an enterprise is functioning, tailoring the services, products, and solutions is becoming increasingly crucial. Uniqueness and personalization attract the crowd like no other.

Increasing the overall value

One of the best ways customer behavior data affects a business is by upgrading the value of customers for the business. The customer’s characteristics allow the company to target the people that match the business prospects well.

Optimizing every type of content

Everything that is up for digital display requires content. You must have seen companies unveiling their products or services through advertisements and making the initial public appearance. Two essential sales strategies – upselling and cross-selling comes through content optimization.

Pricing Strategy

Last but certainly not least is the influence of customer behavior data on the pricing strategy. The pricing strategy essentially constitutes content derived from data analysis. Companies need to have a dynamic approach to the pricing system to attract the right customers.

17/02/2015

Saint Valentine’s Day, always a good opportunity

V-Day is looming, a long-awaited date for all and also a good occasion for the eCommerce. According the study conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics, it is forecasted the average consumer expense that day will be the highest in last years. Furthermore, 25% of them will buy online, which means an increase of 4% regarding 2014 (The US department of Commerce). This is, therefore, a key date where market competitiveness increase and which could be assumed as a big opportunity for our business or, a big fail if we do not adopt the correct strategies.

How to turn this event into an opportunity? To achieve this goal, we need to adapt our prices to this hostile environment, i.e. we need to develop an appropriate Dynamic Pricing strategy that allows us to adapt our prices to the variations produced in supply and demand and to position us ahead of our competitors. In V-Day, the frequency in changes will be higher, carrying it out each hour or even each minute. It is estimated that 65% of leader retailers have the ability to respond quickly at these variations, such Amazon. For this reason, it acquires great importance the correct use of a software specialised in price motorisation of competitors. Do not miss the time and adapt your business to new adversities.

28/12/2022

Which are the best footwear marketplaces to sell on?

Footwear marketplaces are booming. The last decade has seen the launch of new specialized marketplaces with millions of different users. Among them are Spartoo, Sarenza and Farfetch, portals with international reach. Their main value is that they unite hundreds of footwear brands, as well as offering clothes and accessories. Although each has its own characteristics, they are all vertical marketplaces, i.e., they focus on a specific area, and their sales categories are interrelated. For sellers, these portals provide an opportunity to expand sales channels and drive the globalization of their e-commerce business. We explain how to sell on these footwear marketplaces so that you can assess whether they align with your plans for the future and then start defining a possible pricing strategy.