Marketing 101: The Buyer Decision Process: Evaluation of Alternatives

In my examination of the Buyer Decision Process, I've started by exploring the first two stages: Need Recognition and Information Search.  Need Recognition refers to the instance when a consumer recognizes that a need, or problem exists that needs to be satisfied, ie: I need a new refrigerator.  If the need is strong enough, an Information Search is usually initiated.  As a consumer does more research they will inevitably become aware of competing brands and products that are available for purchase.  It is at this point that the Evaluation of Alternatives begins.  An Evaluation of Alternatives is the stage of the buyer decision process in where a consumer uses the information gathered in the Information Search to evaluate alternative brands in the product category.

So how does a consumer choose among these alternatives?  The truth is that there are several processes at work inside the consumer's mind, forming beliefs and attitudes about all of the products to choose from.  However these processes all "evolve" based on the individual's buying situation.  The situation evolves from the set of attributes the consumer is choosing to evaluate products by.

Let's say a consumer is evaluating the attributes of a groups of computers. They have identified four attributes: performance, design, price, and value.  During the evaluation the consumer will place different levels of importance with each attribute based off of what is most important to them.  The consumer will "evaluate" each brand and form beliefs on how each brand rates on each attribute.  The consumer may turn to friends and family, consult consumer reviews, or discuss their situation with sales people during the Information Search.

We know that all brands vary in their degree of appeal to each consumer.  A consumer may buy a brand based on a single attribute, or a number of them.   If during the Information Search you were able to deduce how a consumer assigned value to each attribute you could predict the buying behavior more accurately.  Marketers must study buyers to discover how they actually evaluate brand alternatives.  If you know how your target customer's evaluation process occurs, you can take steps to influence the buying decision early on and lead the buyer to purchase much faster.

Follow @macdailybites