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Klaviyo segmentation without guesswork

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The Growth Guru Team
February 28, 2025

Discover how Klaviyo's advanced segmentation tools can transform your email marketing. This guide explores segmentation strategies, best practices, and features to enhance engagement and drive conversions, ensuring your messages reach the right audience at the right time.

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Klaviyo segmentation without guesswork

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to engage customers and drive conversions. A staggering 99% of consumers check their email daily, making it a crucial channel for businesses to connect with their audience. However, sending generic, one-size-fits-all emails is no longer enough to capture attention and inspire action. This is where Klaviyo's powerful segmentation tools come into play, allowing businesses to target the right customers with precision, boosting engagement and conversions. 

In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive deep into the world of Klaviyo segmentation, exploring its features, strategies, and best practices to help you take your email marketing to the next level. Use this as a Klaviyo segment cheat sheet that you can refer back to as you refine your email marketing strategy.

What is segmentation in Klaviyo?

Segmentation in the context of email marketing refers to dividing your email list into specific groups based on predefined criteria. Klaviyo segmentation takes this concept further, allowing you to create highly targeted segments based on a variety of data points such as demographics, behaviors, and engagement metrics. This approach not only improves the relevance of your email campaigns but also enhances personalization, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.

Segmentation is critical because it allows businesses to send tailored messages that resonate with different audience segments, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. This leads to more meaningful interactions with your customers, increasing the likelihood of achieving your marketing goals.

Simple Klaviyo Segmentation Definitations

How segmentation works in Klaviyo

Data collection and integration

Klaviyo collects data from various sources, including website activity, purchase history, and customer behavior, to build a comprehensive profile of each subscriber. By integrating with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce, Klaviyo can seamlessly gather this data and use it to create targeted segments.

Creating segments

Creating segments in Klaviyo is a straightforward process that involves selecting specific criteria and combining filters to define your audience. Common criteria include customer demographics, purchase behavior, and engagement metrics. For example, you can create a segment of customers who have made a purchase in the last 30 days or those who have opened your emails but haven’t made a purchase. So, when wondering about the difference between “list” and “segment,” Klaviyo users should know that lists are static but can grow as new subscribers are added, whereas segments are designed to be dynamic as people meet or no longer meet certain criteria. But it’s not necessarily a matter of list vs. segment; Klaviyo users can leverage both features to build a robust marketing strategy. 

Do Klaviyo segments update automatically?

One of the key advantages of Klaviyo's segmentation is that it is dynamic, meaning segments are automatically updated as customer data changes. This ensures that your email campaigns always reach the right audience at the right time, without the need for manual updates. Real-time updates are crucial for delivering relevant, timely content that resonates with your subscribers.

Different types of email segmentation strategies in Klaviyo: top Klaviyo segment ideas

5 Powerful Klaviyo Segmentation Strategies

Demographic segmentation

Demographic segmentation involves dividing your audience based on demographic data such as age, gender, location, and income. This strategy is particularly useful when you have products or services that appeal to specific demographic groups. For instance, you can target young adults with fashion products or senior citizens with healthcare products.

Behavioral segmentation

Behavioral segmentation focuses on creating segments based on customer actions and interactions with your brand. This can include past purchases, browsing history, and email engagement. By targeting frequent buyers, lapsed customers, or high spenders, you can create campaigns that drive repeat purchases, re-engage inactive subscribers, or encourage higher-value orders.

Psychographic segmentation

Psychographic segmentation goes beyond demographics to consider customers' interests, values, and lifestyles. This approach allows for more personalized and emotionally resonant messaging that speaks directly to your subscribers' needs and desires. For example, you might create segments based on hobbies, environmental concerns, or preferred brands to craft highly targeted campaigns.

Lifecycle segmentation

Lifecycle segmentation involves grouping customers based on their stage in the customer journey, such as new subscribers, first-time buyers, or loyal customers. By tailoring your communication to each stage, you can nurture relationships and guide subscribers towards long-term loyalty. This might include sending welcome series to new subscribers, post-purchase follow-ups to first-time buyers, or exclusive perks to your most loyal customers.

Engagement-based segmentation

Engagement-based segmentation focuses on subscribers' interaction with your emails, such as opens, clicks, and inactivity. By targeting your most engaged subscribers with special offers or exclusive content, you can reward their loyalty and encourage further engagement. On the other hand, segmenting inactive subscribers allows you to create re-engagement campaigns to bring them back into the fold.

Advanced segmentation features in Klaviyo

Predictive analytics

Klaviyo's predictive analytics features take segmentation to the next level by anticipating customer behavior and allowing you to segment accordingly. This includes predicting customer lifetime value, expected date of next order, or likely churn risk. By leveraging these insights, you can proactively target customers with relevant offers and interventions to maximize value and minimize churn.

Custom properties

Custom properties in Klaviyo enable you to create highly specific segments based on unique data points relevant to your business. For instance, you can segment customers based on their preferred product categories or specific interactions with your brand. Gathering and utilizing custom data can greatly enhance segmentation accuracy.

Integrating segmentation with automated flows

Klaviyo's powerful automation features allow you to integrate segmentation with triggered email flows, delivering personalized messages at scale. By setting up automated flows based on customer actions or segment membership, you can ensure that the right message reaches the right person at the right time. Examples include welcome series for new subscribers, post-purchase follow-ups for first-time buyers, and abandoned cart reminders for shoppers who leave items behind.

Powerful email segmentation strategies in Klaviyo

VIP customers

Creating segments for high-value customers who frequently make purchases or have a high average order value can help you reward loyalty and encourage further engagement. Offer exclusive deals or early access to new products to keep these customers engaged and satisfied.

Engaged subscribers

Identify subscribers who consistently engage with your emails and target them with special content or promotions. This might include sneak peeks of upcoming products, behind-the-scenes content, or exclusive discounts as a way to acknowledge and appreciate their engagement.

Price-sensitive shoppers

Create segments for customers who respond well to discounts or promotions, and send targeted offers to drive sales. This might include flash sale notifications, seasonal promotions, or bundle deals that appeal to their desire for value.

Recent buyers vs lapsed customers

Segment recent buyers for upsell and cross-sell opportunities, while targeting lapsed customers with re-engagement campaigns. For recent buyers, suggest complementary products or offer a discount on their next purchase. For lapsed customers, try a winback series with increasingly compelling offers to reignite their interest.

Geographical segmentation

Geographical segmentation allows you to target customers based on their location, which is particularly useful for region-specific promotions or events. This approach ensures that your marketing messages are relevant and timely for different customer groups.

Best practices for effective segmentation in Klaviyo

Using Klaviyo's pre-built segments

Klaviyo offers a range of pre-built segments that cover common use cases, such as high-value customers, engaged subscribers, and lapsed customers. These segments are a great starting point for businesses new to segmentation or looking to quickly implement proven strategies.

Creating custom segments

As your business grows and you gather more data, create custom segments tailored to your unique needs and goals. Consider the specific characteristics and behaviors that define your ideal customer, and use Klaviyo's segmentation tools to identify and target these groups.

Combining conditions for advanced segmentation

To create highly targeted segments, combine multiple conditions using Klaviyo's ‘AND/OR’ logic. For example, you might create a segment of high-value customers who have purchased a specific product category and engaged with your emails in the past 30 days. By layering conditions, you can create laser-focused segments that drive better results.

Regularly update and review segments

Customer behavior and preferences can change over time, so it's crucial to regularly review and update your segments to ensure they remain relevant and effective. Set a schedule for auditing your segments, such as once a quarter, and make adjustments based on performance data and customer feedback.

Start simple and expand

If you're new to segmentation, start with a few basic segments and gradually add complexity as you gather more data and insights. This might include segmenting based on broad categories like purchase history or email engagement, then refining your segments as you learn more about your customers' preferences and behaviors.

Test and optimize segmentation strategies

A/B testing is a powerful way to identify which segmentation strategies work best for your audience. With Klaviyo, unengaged segments become easier to identify so you can spot potential areas of improvement.Try testing different segment criteria, messaging, or offer types, and use the results to optimize your approach. Continuously gather customer feedback and monitor campaign performance to inform your segmentation decisions. 

Avoid over-segmenting

While segmentation is a powerful tool, it's possible to take it too far. Over-segmenting your list into tiny, hyper-specific groups can lead to diminishing returns and make your email marketing program unwieldy. The best Klaviyo segments are those that are large enough to be impactful, while still being targeted enough to drive results.

Keep segments actionable and relevant

Ultimately, the goal of segmentation is to enable more effective, personalized marketing. When creating segments, always keep in mind how you plan to use them in your campaigns. Segments should be actionable, meaning you can create targeted content and offers that speak directly to each group's needs and interests.

Common segmentation pitfalls and how to avoid them

  • Over-segmenting your list: As mentioned earlier, creating too many small segments can dilute the effectiveness of your campaigns. Strike a balance between specificity and practicality.
  • Neglecting regular segment updates: Failing to update segments based on new data and insights can lead to outdated, ineffective targeting. Make segment review and optimization a regular part of your email marketing process.
  • Ignoring smaller segments: While it's important not to over-segment, don't overlook the potential value of smaller, niche segments. These groups may be highly engaged and responsive to targeted messaging.
  • Misaligning segments with business goals: Segmentation should always serve your larger business objectives, such as driving sales, increasing customer loyalty, or reducing churn. Ensure that your segments and targeted campaigns are aligned with these goals.

Future of segmentation in Klaviyo

As technology continues to evolve, so too will the possibilities for segmentation in Klaviyo. Here are a few developments to watch:

  • AI and machine learning advancements: As artificial intelligence and machine learning become more sophisticated, Klaviyo may introduce even more powerful predictive analytics and automation features that enable highly personalized, one-to-one marketing at scale.
  • Predictive segmentation enhancements: Klaviyo's predictive segmentation capabilities are likely to become even more accurate and granular, allowing businesses to anticipate customer needs and behaviors with unprecedented precision.
  • Integration with emerging e-commerce technologies: As new e-commerce platforms and technologies emerge, Klaviyo will likely continue to expand its integration capabilities, allowing businesses to leverage even more data sources for segmentation and targeting.

Some frequently asked questions

How to create a segment in Klaviyo

To create a segment in Klaviyo:

  1. Navigate to the 'Lists & Segments' tab in your Klaviyo account
  2. Click 'Create List/Segment' and choose 'Segment'
  3. Select the list you want to segment
  4. Define your segment criteria using the available filters and conditions
  5. Save your segment and give it a descriptive name

How do you integrate Klaviyo with segments?

Klaviyo integrates with Segment, a customer data platform, to allow businesses to sync their customer data across multiple tools and channels. In other words, when considering Klaviyo list vs. Segment, you don’t actually have to choose between one or the other, but you can instead use them in tandem to maximize your marketing efforts. To pursue your Klaviyo Segment integration:

  1. In your Segment account, navigate to 'Destinations' and select 'Klaviyo'
  2. Follow the prompts to authenticate your Klaviyo account
  3. Select the Klaviyo list you want to sync with Segment
  4. Map your Segment events and properties to Klaviyo fields
  5. Start sending data from Segment to Klaviyo

How to segment audience for email marketing

To segment your audience for email marketing:

  1. Identify your key customer groups based on demographics, behavior, and preferences
  2. Determine the data points you'll use to define each segment, such as purchase history, email engagement, or customer lifetime value
  3. Use your email marketing platform's segmentation tools to create segments based on these criteria
  4. Develop targeted content and offers for each segment
  5. Monitor the performance of your segmented campaigns and optimize over time

Static List versus Dynamic Segmens Klaviyo

Get started with Klaviyo segmentation

Klaviyo’s advanced segmentation tools take the guesswork out of email marketing, allowing you to deliver the right message to the right customer at the right time. By leveraging the strategies and best practices outlined in this guide, you can create highly targeted campaigns that drive engagement, conversions, and long-term customer loyalty. The impact of well-executed segmentation can be transformative for your e-commerce business, leading to higher revenue, lower churn, and stronger customer relationships.

If you're ready to take your email marketing to the next level, start experimenting with Klaviyo's segmentation features today. Need help getting started or optimizing your segmentation strategy? Growth Gurus, a leading e-commerce marketing agency specializing in email and SMS marketing, can provide the expertise and guidance you need to succeed. Contact Growth Gurus today to learn how they can help you harness the power of Klaviyo segmentation and drive unprecedented results for your business.

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