Capturing your first-party data in all the right places, and finding third-party sources that will work for you while respecting your customer’s right to privacy.
What is data collection?
Data collection is the process of gathering information from various sources to be used for analysis and decision-making.
There are two primary types of data: first-party data, which is data that you collect directly from your own customers or systems, and third-party data, which is data that you purchase or license from external sources.
You’ll also sometimes hear the distinction made between 0th and 1st-party data. 0th-party data is data your customer have directly opted to give to you (customer surveys), while 1st-party data is data you collect on your customers – think website traffic. In most practical scenarios, 0th and 1st party data are very similar.
There are also 2nd-party data and 3rd-party data distinctions. 2nd-party data is data exchanged between two organisations with a trusted relationship, while 3rd-party data is data simply exchanged and sold on a marketplace or via a transactional relationship.
Data collection process.
Gathering data can be a complex and time-consuming process, but we have the tools and expertise to make it easy. Here’s a look at our typical data collection process:
- Identify your data needs: We start by understanding your business, goals, and data requirements.
- Collect first-party data: We help you capture your first-party data in all the right places, using tools like web analytics, customer surveys, and CRM systems.
- Find third-party data sources: We help you identify and evaluate third-party data sources that align with your business goals and data needs.
- Integrate and organise your data: We help you integrate and organise your data, ensuring that it is accurate and accessible.
- Ongoing support and maintenance: We provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that your data stays up-to-date and accurate, and aligned with your organisational data strategy.
Practical examples.
A retail company might use web analytics tools to collect data on customer behaviour on their websites, such as the pages customers visit, the products they view, and the actions they take. This data can help the company understand customer preferences and identify areas for improvement on its website.
A healthcare organisation might use patient portals and electronic medical records to collect data on patient visits, diagnoses, and treatment plans. This data can help the organisation track patient outcomes, identify trends, and optimise resource utilisation.
A non-profit organisation might use surveys and focus groups to collect data on the effectiveness of its programs, donor attitudes, and volunteer engagement. This data can help the organisation measure the impact of its programs, identify areas for improvement, and engage donors and volunteers more effectively.
A manufacturer might use sensors and IoT devices to collect data on production efficiency, equipment performance, and resource utilization. This data can help the company identify bottlenecks in their production process, optimise its operations, and reduce costs.
The data collection process involves gathering information from various sources, and the specific sources and methods used will depend on the needs and goals of the organisation.
Collect it before you need it. Don’t drop your data on the ground.