Data supports the development of most enterprises. The most direct, fast and powerful method for user analysis, market analysis and product value analysis is data first. So what should we do when there is a lack of data for making key decisions? Where should we get data? First of all, we need to understand what our needs are, and then choose the corresponding data according to our needs. Generally speaking, the source of cross-border e-commerce data can be found in the following ways.
1. Find data sources according to the nature of cross-border e-commerce data
According to the nature of cross-border e-commerce data, cross-border e-commerce data can be divided into primary data and secondary data. Among them, primary data is also called original data, which refers to data obtained directly through interviews, inquiries, questionnaires, measurements, etc. The advantage of primary data is that it can answer specific questions that secondary data cannot answer, which is more timely and credible and easy to keep confidential. It is mainly collected and collated by oneself or enterprises or obtained from direct experience. The data sources mainly include user interviews, questionnaire surveys, user behavior data, product front-end feedback data and back-end data. Secondary data refers to statistical data that has been collected for other purposes rather than for ongoing research. It has the advantages of being quick, low-cost, easy to obtain, and can lay the foundation for further collection of original data. The data sources mainly include literature, statistical yearbooks, and databases.
2. Find data sources according to the scope of cross-border e-commerce data
According to the scope of cross-border e-commerce data, cross-border e-commerce data can be divided into internal data and external data. Among them, internal data generally refers to data within the scope of the enterprise itself, and the sources mainly include the behavioral data of enterprise consumers, server-side log data, enterprise customer relationship management data, transaction data, etc.; external data generally refers to all other data outside the scope of the enterprise itself, and the sources mainly include social demographic data, macroeconomic data, news and public opinion data, market research data, etc.
3. Find data sources according to the objects of cross-border e-commerce data
(1) E-commerce platform data.
Each merchant on the cross-border e-commerce platform can view the corresponding sales data, browsing data, collection data, etc. of each product. Enterprises need to organize and compile statistics on these data, and can use the commonly used auxiliary software for cross-border e-commerce to record and analyze them. Merchants can adjust their product selection and promotion direction based on their past sales data.
(2) User survey data.
Although creating a survey may be very time-consuming, surveys on platforms such as SurveyMonkey or Qualtrics are sufficient to help you gain a deep understanding of your customers and potential customers. You can extract some content from them and selectively send some survey emails to users based on your actual situation, conduct surveys on some customers, and obtain more detailed responses.
(3) Statistical data from third-party platforms.
Research reports usually provide general data on industry trends, such as customs import and export data, iResearch data, and research institute data. These data include market size, competitors, and product import and export data. They are usually relatively general and can help companies find a general positioning or development direction, but cannot solve specific problems.
(4) Consumer purchase data.
Consumer purchase data is not the data of individual products of merchants, but a wide range of user data. These data include consumer behavior, purchasing habits, etc. It usually includes detailed consumer shopping trend information at various levels, such as postal codes and purchased product categories.