You know the value of a customer data platform. Now how do you choose the right one for you? Start with this checklist of key considerations for marketers when selecting a CDP:

Data Unification

• Does the CDP support integration with various data sources such as CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, social media channels, email marketing tools, and offline sources?
• Can it handle both structured and unstructured data formats?
• Is the integration process seamless and efficient?
• Does the CDP offer robust data unification capabilities to create a single, comprehensive view of the customer?
• Can it handle large volumes of data and provide real-time processing capabilities?
• Does it support identity resolution to reconcile disparate customer identifiers?
• Does the CDP perform quality checks to identify poor quality source data?

Audience Targeting + Personalization

• Does the CDP support integration with various data sources such as CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, social media channels, email marketing tools, and offline sources?
• Can it handle both structured and unstructured data formats?

Ease of Use

• Is the CDP user-friendly and intuitive for marketers to use without extensive technical expertise?
• Does it offer seamless integration with existing marketing technology stack and third-party applications?
• What level of training and support does the vendor provide?

Omni-Channel Orchestration

• Does the CDP facilitate omni-channel orchestration to deliver consistent and connected customer experiences?
• Can marketers create and manage multi-channel campaigns from a single platform?
• Does it support automated workflows and triggers for personalized messaging and interactions?

Analytics + Insights

• What analytics capabilities does the CDP offer for deriving actionable insights from customer data?
• Can it perform predictive analytics to forecast customer behavior and identify opportunities for growth?
• Does it provide the ability to create custom metrics about your data and analyze them on a per customer and/or aggregate basis?

Security + Compliance

• What security measures does the CDP have in place to protect sensitive customer data?
• Is the platform compliant with relevant data privacy regulations such as GDPR + CCPA?
• Does it offer data encryption, access controls, and audit trails for compliance purposes?

Investment

• What are the licensing options for the CDP? Can it be combined with other tools to help offset additional spend?
• Are there any hidden costs or additional fees to consider?

By carefully evaluating these considerations, marketers can select a customer data platform that aligns with their specific needs and objectives, enabling them to harness the power of customer data to drive personalized experiences, enhance loyalty, and achieve business growth.

Ready to dive into CDP? Learn about Dynamics 365 Customer Insights and how it drives growth for your organization by contacting Coffee + Dunn today.