Automatic segmentation of new vs. returning customers

Purpose

1.1. Automate segmentation of customers visiting a Chesapeake restaurant into "new" or "returning" profiles for targeted marketing and communication strategies.
1.2. Purpose: automate identification, logging, and segmentation in real time to personalize emails, offers, loyalty rewards, and feedback surveys.
1.3. Automatedly classify guests based on order history, reservation data, POS transactions, or digital interactions for enhanced campaign targeting and automatable customer journey mapping.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New online or in-person order placed in POS or booking system.
2.2. Customer scan of loyalty card or mobile QR code.
2.3. Receipt of a new reservation through online channels.
2.4. Entry of guest phone/email at wifi onboarding.
2.5. Customer engagement on social media or review platforms tagged to the restaurant.

Platform Variants

3.1. Salesforce Marketing Cloud
• Feature: Journey Builder with Data Extensions.
• Setting: Automate filter contacts with query for first transaction timestamp; trigger journey for new vs. existing based on segmentation.

3.2. HubSpot
• Feature: Workflows and Lists API.
• Setting: Automate smart lists by Last Interaction; new contacts added get flagged and trigger nurture or loyalty workflows.

3.3. Mailchimp
• Feature: Customer Tags and Automation API.
• Setting: Automate assign “New” tag if contact added in last 7 days, automate move to “Returning” if repeat purchase found.

3.4. Square POS
• Feature: Customer Directory API.
• Setting: Automate check if phone/email exists; segment as “Returning”; otherwise, automate as “New Customer.”

3.5. Toast POS
• Feature: Guest Segmentation and API.
• Setting: Automate trigger workflow on new check-in; create or update guest segments via API events.

3.6. Lightspeed
• Feature: Customer Management API.
• Setting: Automate verify customer record by email/phone; automate segment accordingly and notify CRM.

3.7. Clover
• Feature: API Customer Lookup and Order Events.
• Setting: Automate query customer ID on order; update segment “New” or “Returning” flag.

3.8. SquareSpace
• Feature: Member Areas and Commerce API.
• Setting: Automate detect first vs. repeat customer on order completion; update CRM segmentation list.

3.9. Shopify
• Feature: Customers API and Flow.
• Setting: Automate flow for on-order event; check count of orders, set metafield segment as “New” or “Returning.”

3.10. WooCommerce
• Feature: Webhooks and REST API.
• Setting: Automate trigger webhook on customer order; automate categorization in CRM via API.

3.11. Zendesk
• Feature: Customer Profiles + Triggers.
• Setting: Automate tag tickets/emails based on historical presence, segment conversation responses.

3.12. Twilio
• Feature: Segment APIs + Studio Flows.
• Setting: Automate customer interaction; query Segment API to classify; automate send SMS accordingly.

3.13. SendGrid
• Feature: Email Segmentation API.
• Setting: Automate dynamic lists; segment welcome or loyalty email campaigns based on automated classification.

3.14. ActiveCampaign
• Feature: Automations and Custom Fields API.
• Setting: Automate custom field “Status” set to “New” on first form fill; automate update on subsequent action.

3.15. Zoho CRM
• Feature: Workflow Rules and Tagging API.
• Setting: Automate assign “Returning” tag if customer has more than one deal/order in records.

3.16. Pipedrive
• Feature: Custom Fields Automation.
• Setting: Automate set field value according to first or repeat deal and trigger campaign sequences.

3.17. Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Feature: Customer Insights Segments.
• Setting: Automate ingest order data, segment with custom logic for transaction count.

3.18. Oracle Eloqua
• Feature: Program Canvas Segmentation.
• Setting: Automate data-driven segments with automated rules for new/returning touchpoints.

3.19. Intercom
• Feature: Segments and Event API.
• Setting: Automate event logging, segment chat targets by first/returning visit condition.

3.20. Freshdesk
• Feature: Customer Fields & Automation Rules.
• Setting: Automate flag customer support inquiries as “New” if contact is absent from database; automate as “Returning” otherwise.

3.21. Segment.io
• Feature: Traits and Audiences.
• Setting: Automate transform incoming data, create real-time segments for downstream marketing tools.

3.22. Google Sheets
• Feature: AppScript & Sheets API.
• Setting: Automate script runs on new row; checks existing records, flags as new/returning, updates dashboard.

3.23. Slack
• Feature: Incoming Webhooks + Slash Commands.
• Setting: Automate post notifications to marketing channel when segmented guest is added in real time.

3.24. Notion
• Feature: Database API and Status Fields.
• Setting: Automate status property change when new guest entry is logged; automate update after return visit.

Benefits

4.1. Automates personalized marketing messages by recognizing customer journey stage.
4.2. Automatedly delivers more relevant offers for new vs. returning guests, increasing campaign ROI.
4.3. Reduces manual data entry and error by automating segmentation at source.
4.4. Automation optimizes loyalty program targeting and enhances guest retention.
4.5. Enables automatable cross-channel engagement tailored by automated segmentation logic.
4.6. Increases operational efficiency through end-to-end workflow automation across marketing, CRM, and POS systems.