Behavioural data helps Shopify Plus stores improve customer experience and boost sales by tailoring shopping journeys to user actions. Here’s how:
- Smart Product Recommendations: Suggest items based on browsing and purchase habits, increasing sales.
- Website Layout Improvements: Use tools like heat maps to optimise navigation, button placement, and content hierarchy for better usability.
- Targeted Marketing Campaigns: Personalise email campaigns with data-driven insights for higher engagement and conversions.
- Customer Loyalty Programs: Customise rewards based on shopping behaviours to retain valuable customers.
- Product Line Planning: Analyse trends like cart abandonment and seasonal demand to refine product offerings and stock levels.
1. Smart Product Recommendations
Smart product recommendations use customer behaviour to create tailored shopping experiences, making the journey more engaging and increasing sales.
These systems work by analysing data like browsing habits, purchase history, and real-time actions. Key insights come from tracking details such as:
- Products viewed
- Time spent on specific pages
- Items added to the cart
- Past purchase categories
- Seasonal buying trends
This data powers recommendation algorithms that adjust to individual preferences. For instance, if a customer often browses activewear during cooler months, the system might suggest seasonal workout gear.
It also helps identify cross-selling chances. For example, someone shopping for running shoes might see suggestions for moisture-wicking socks or running shorts.
Recommendations update dynamically, responding to real-time browsing behaviour to highlight items that align with immediate interests. The best systems combine historical data with live signals to deliver relevant suggestions.
If you’re looking to implement or improve these features, a Shopify Plus agency like Alinga can provide tailored eCommerce solutions to integrate advanced recommendation tools into your online store.
2. Website Layout Improvements
Analysing customer behaviour on your Shopify Plus store can reveal how users interact with your site, offering ways to improve their experience through layout changes.
Tools like heat maps, scroll depth tracking, and click pattern analysis show where users focus most, helping you strategically place product images, menus, and call-to-action buttons. For instance, if data shows users only view part of a page, you can prioritise placing key information in that visible area.
Mobile-specific data provides insights into how users browse on smaller screens, allowing you to adjust layouts for both desktop and mobile users effectively.
At Alinga, we use these insights to create Shopify Plus layouts designed to boost conversions. Some focus areas include:
- Button Placement: Place call-to-action buttons where users naturally interact.
- Navigation and Categories: Simplify menus and organise products based on browsing habits.
- Content Hierarchy: Arrange information to match user priorities.
- Mobile Layouts: Tailor designs to fit mobile browsing behaviours.
- Ongoing Adjustments: Update layouts as user preferences shift over time.
3. Targeted Marketing Campaigns
Shopify Plus stores can take their marketing to the next level with behavioural data, allowing for highly personalised email campaigns tailored to real customer actions. This kind of precision makes marketing efforts more engaging and improves conversion rates.
Email marketing becomes even more effective when combined with behavioural insights. By linking platforms like Klaviyo with Shopify Plus, stores can send timely and relevant messages that boost campaign results.
At Alinga, we create data-driven email campaigns that consistently outperform generic mass emails by delivering content that connects with specific audience segments.
For instance, automated emails can suggest products based on a customer’s browsing history, encouraging them to consider higher-value items.
To make the most of behavioural data, try these strategies:
- Suggest products that complement what customers have browsed.
- Offer upgrades to customers who’ve already made purchases.
- Build personalised bundles based on common buying habits.
- Tailor promotional offers to match a customer’s lifetime value.
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4. Customer Loyalty Programs
Using behavioural data can turn loyalty programs into powerful tools for keeping customers engaged. Instead of just offering points, Shopify Plus stores can use insights from purchase patterns to create rewards that truly connect with their customers. This approach boosts both interaction and sales, similar to how smart recommendations and layout adjustments work.
By analysing behavioural data, businesses can spot their most valuable customers and customise rewards to fit their habits. For example, if some customers consistently shop during seasonal sales, you could offer them early access to upcoming deals.
Behavioural data allows loyalty program members to be grouped based on:
- How often and how much they buy
- Their favourite product categories
- When they usually shop
- How they’ve responded to rewards in the past
This segmentation makes it easier to design reward tiers that feel personal. For instance, you might offer free express shipping to frequent buyers who often need items quickly or exclusive previews to those who love trying out new products.
A standout tactic is using this data to spot customers who might stop shopping before it happens. If someone’s buying habits start to drop off, automated systems can send them tailored offers to re-engage them. This approach keeps relationships strong and helps prevent customer loss.
Here are some ways to improve loyalty programs with data-driven strategies:
- Dynamic point multipliers: Adjust reward rates based on what customers buy and how often they shop.
- Personalised milestones: Set customised goals that align with individual shopping behaviours.
- Behaviour-based perks: Offer benefits that directly match what customers are interested in.
The secret is to keep tweaking your loyalty program based on what the data shows. Regularly checking how often rewards are redeemed and how engaged customers are will help you fine-tune the program and keep it relevant.
5. Product Line Planning
After setting up earlier strategies, the next step is to use behavioural data for smarter product line planning. Successful planning hinges on understanding your customers’ habits and preferences.
When examining customer behaviour, pay attention to these metrics:
- Search queries and abandoned searches
- Time spent looking at specific products
- Cart abandonment trends
- Cross-category purchasing habits
- Seasonal buying patterns
By comparing page views to actual purchases, you can pinpoint products that generate interest but fail to convert – possibly due to pricing or missing features.
Here’s how to use this data effectively:
Manage Stock Levels
Monitor real-time purchase trends and browsing patterns to keep stock levels just right. This avoids both overstocking and running out of popular items. Automated low-stock alerts can help streamline this process.
Refine Product Offerings
Track how customers interact with your catalogue. If certain variations are frequently searched for but unavailable, it’s a sign to expand your offerings. Similarly, products with lots of views but few sales may need adjustments in pricing, features, or how they’re presented.
Plan for Seasonal Demand
Use historical data to anticipate seasonal trends. Look at factors like:
- Peak shopping times
- Seasonal trends in specific categories
- Weather-related buying habits
- The impact of special events
Spot Cross-Category Opportunities
Analyse shopping baskets to uncover products that are often bought together. This can guide you to create bundles or design complementary products that align with customer preferences.
Conclusion
Behavioural data plays a crucial role in improving Shopify Plus stores by refining essential eCommerce functions. Using insights from customer behaviour can lead to noticeable increases in engagement and revenue.
By analysing customer actions, businesses can deliver shopping experiences that feel more tailored and rewarding. These changes not only improve customer satisfaction but also help boost conversion rates and average order values.
For Australian businesses aiming to get the most out of Shopify Plus, applying these data-focused strategies takes skill and continuous fine-tuning. Alinga, a certified Shopify Plus partner with two decades of experience, specialises in creating custom web designs, strategic merchandising, and eCommerce marketing solutions that utilise behavioural data to achieve real-world results.
Success comes from consistently tracking and responding to customer behaviour trends. This ensures your store stays competitive and adapts to market shifts while offering the personalised experiences that today’s shoppers expect.
Do you need support with your eCommerce plans? Alinga, a leading eCommerce expert, is here to help businesses excel online. We offer IT expertise and innovative concepts for all projects, assisting from the beginning to completion and beyond. Let Alinga boost your online presence if you’re new or are looking to enhance your online business. Be in touch with us now to get started!
