Marketing is very much about combination. For example, the classic 4P (Product, Place, Price, Promotion) marketing combination, as well as customer combination, business unit combination, etc. Combination is an effective means to achieve stability and efficiency. Similarly, in terms of how to improve the accuracy and completeness of customer information, we recommend a flexible combination of the above channels and methods. Here are some typical combinations:
Different regional markets use different information channels. For example, for countries with customs data intelligence, customs data is given priority; for countries and regional markets without customs data, information search, professional directories or industry websites can be used.
Different customer types in the same market area use different combinations. For example, for active importers, we use customs data or directories, and for potential importers, we can use regional directories combined with industry websites.
Different products use different combinations. For example, some standard industrial products have a relatively simple customs code, which is suitable for the use of customs data. However, some products have multiple products under the same customs code, and these products are very different. It is not suitable to use customs data, but directories, industry websites and search engines should be given priority.
Different exporters use different combinations. As mentioned above, large exporters and small and medium-sized exporters have different preferences for obtaining business opportunities. Similarly, in obtaining customer information, large exporters and small and medium-sized exporters have different preferences. Large exporters mainly consider in-depth information and complete information, and do not consider costs too much. They recommend using the services of professional institutions first; small and medium-sized enterprises often consider savings and give priority to channels with relatively low costs and relatively accurate and rich information, such as search engines, industry websites and some free trade sites. But after a period of development, they will eventually transition to the use of information intelligence.
Combination of traditional channels with the Internet. The Internet is an emerging means of obtaining market information and customer information, and has become our main way to obtain information or clues, especially in the field of international trade, where the Internet has become a highly respected information tool. Even if we eventually use traditional means to obtain customer information, such as through trade promotion agencies and intelligence companies, the Internet can help us find these trade promotion agencies, intelligence companies and professionals more quickly; if we have some choices, the Internet can also help us investigate the credit status of these companies, the evaluation of other users, etc.