Marketing controlling key figures

Basics of marketing controlling

Marketing controlling is an essential component of strategic and operational marketing planning and implementation. It serves to monitor all of a company's marketing activities in a targeted manner, to make their success measurable and to make well-founded decisions based on this data. The main task of marketing controlling is to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing measures and to optimally manage the use of the marketing budget.

Definition and objectives

Marketing controlling can be defined as the systematic process of planning, managing and controlling all marketing activities. Through the use of specific key performance indicators (KPIs), marketing controlling enables an objective evaluation of marketing efforts. The main objectives of marketing controlling include

• Maximizing the return on investment (ROI) in marketing.
• Optimization of the allocation of the marketing budget to promising measures.
• Continuous improvement of customer approach and loyalty.
• Increase brand awareness and brand value.

KPIs in the focus of marketing controlling

Selecting the right KPIs is crucial for successful marketing controlling. These KPIs range from financial metrics such as CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) and CLV (Customer Lifetime Value) to operational metrics such as conversion rate or the number of leads generated (MQLs and SQLs). The specific KPIs provide information on the performance of various marketing channels and campaigns and enable the company to identify strengths and weaknesses in the marketing strategy.

Areas of application and methods

Marketing controlling is used in almost all areas of marketing, from advertising and direct marketing campaigns to digital campaigns. The methods used to record and analyze KPIs vary depending on the objective and involve both quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Modern tools such as Excel templates make it possible to record and analyze complex amounts of data. Through the targeted use of KPIs in marketing controlling, companies can not only continuously improve their marketing strategy, but also increase customer satisfaction and ultimately ensure sustainable corporate success.

Key performance indicators in marketing

Within marketing, key performance indicators (KPIs) serve as essential tools to measure and evaluate the success of marketing strategies and actions. These KPIs enable marketing managers and business leaders to make data-based decisions that help optimize marketing efficiency and effectiveness.

Financial and operational marketing KPIs

KPIs in marketing can be divided into financial and operational key figures. Financial KPIs, such as ROI (return on investment) and CLV (customer lifetime value), provide information on the monetary success of marketing measures. These figures help to understand how effective the marketing budget is in terms of attracting and retaining customers. Operational KPIs, including the conversion rate, the CTR (Click-Through Rate) and the CPC (Cost Per Click), provide detailed insights into the performance of individual marketing campaigns and channels.

KPIs for measuring customer interactions

In addition to the financial and operational key figures, KPIs that measure customer interactions play a decisive role in marketing controlling. For example, metrics such as the number of downloads, inquiries and recommendations or customer ratings provide direct feedback on customer satisfaction and perception. These key figures are not only relevant for measuring the immediate success of campaigns, but also for long-term customer retention and loyalty.

Central marketing KPIs at a glance

Some of the most important marketing KPIs include:

• CPA (Cost Per Acquisition)Measures the costs incurred to acquire a new customer.
• CPL (Cost Per Lead)Stands for the costs incurred for the generation of a qualified lead.
• Conversion rateThe percentage of visitors who perform a desired action, be it a purchase, downloading a file or filling out a form.
• CTR (Click-Through Rate): Measures the ratio of clicks to impressions for online ads and provides information about their Relevance and attraction.
• CLV (Customer Lifetime Value)A forecasting model that quantifies the total net revenue that a company can expect from a customer relationship.

The continuous monitoring of these and other relevant KPIs is crucial in order to capture the pulse of the market and the effectiveness of marketing in real time. For companies, data-driven analysis and adjustment of KPIs allows them to dynamically fine-tune their strategies and campaigns to achieve business goals more efficiently. In addition, carefully selected KPIs promote an understanding of customer preferences and behavior, leading to the development of targeted marketing initiatives and maximizing marketing ROI.

Examples of marketing key figures and their meaning

In the dynamic field of marketing, key performance indicators (KPIs) play a central role in measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies. These KPIs not only provide information about current success, but also offer insights into potential optimization opportunities. Some exemplary KPIs and their specific significance in the marketing environment are presented here.

CPA (Cost Per Acquisition)

The CPA is a key indicator of the costs incurred by a company per new customer acquisition. A low CPA indicates a high efficiency of the marketing methods used, while a high CPA may indicate that campaigns or channels may need to be optimized to make customer acquisition more cost-effective.

CLV (Customer Lifetime Value)

This value measures the total value that a customer generates over the course of their relationship with the company. A high CLV indicates a high potential for success of long-term customer retention strategies and justifies investments in customer care. Measures to increase CLV include, for example, personalized marketing campaigns that focus on the needs and preferences of customers.

Conversion rate

The conversion rate is a fundamental key figure that indicates what proportion of visitors to a website actually carry out a desired action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter. An increase in the conversion rate is often a direct sign of the effectiveness of optimizations in the Online Marketingsuch as the improvement of the User Experience or the targeted addressing of visitor segments through personalized content.

CTR (Click-Through Rate)

The CTR measures the proportion of users who click on an online ad or marketing campaign.Content actually click on it. A high CTR indicates that the ad is relevant and of interest to the target group. Optimizations to increase the CTR include, for example, refining advertising messages or adapting the visual design of the ads.

ROI (return on investment)

ROI in the marketing context indicates the relationship between the profit generated by marketing campaigns and the costs incurred. A positive ROI shows that the marketing investments create added value for the company, while a negative ROI can indicate that strategies and campaigns need to be reviewed and adjusted in terms of their cost efficiency and effectiveness.

Each of these metrics provides specific insights to help marketing managers analyze and optimize the performance of their marketing strategies. By specifically analyzing and applying these metrics, companies can not only increase their marketing efficiency, but also develop a deeper understanding of their customers and thereby secure long-term competitive advantages.

The measurement and evaluation of marketing activities

The measurement and evaluation of marketing activities is a critical process aimed at assessing and optimizing the success and efficiency of marketing measures. A variety of methods are used for a comprehensive assessment and specific key performance indicators (KPIs) are used.

Evaluation basis using KPIs

Various KPIs are defined and measured to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. These metrics range from financial metrics such as return on investment (ROI) and cost per acquisition (CPA) to behavioral and engagement-based metrics such as conversion rates, click-through rates (CTR) and customer satisfaction scores. The selection of KPIs is based on the specific objectives of each campaign and provides a precise insight into its success or potential for improvement.

Methodology of data collection and analysis

A wide variety of tools and technologies are used to collect and analyze the relevant data. Excel templates, for example, offer a practical way of structuring and analyzing large volumes of data. In addition, specialized software solutions are used for marketing controlling that not only automate data collection, but also support advanced analysis methods such as segmentation, trend analysis and forecasting models. This systematic data collection and analysis is crucial for gaining sound insights into the performance of marketing activities.

Application examples of specific assessments

The evaluation of marketing campaigns can be illustrated using numerous examples. Direct mail campaigns, events, promotions and online advertising are just some of the activities whose effectiveness is evaluated using KPIs. For example, the efficiency of online advertising can be evaluated by analyzing click-through rates (CTR) and conversion rates. In contrast, the effectiveness and ROI of events can be measured by analyzing the number of participants, participant satisfaction and engagement. Analyzing customer feedback and ratings, on the other hand, provides valuable insights into customer satisfaction and the quality of customer service.

The systematic measurement and evaluation of marketing activities enables companies to continuously refine and adapt their marketing strategies. By gaining a deep understanding of the effectiveness of individual campaigns and channels, marketing budgets can be used in a more targeted manner and the overall success of marketing initiatives can be increased. Ultimately, this process leads to an optimized customer approach, an increase in brand awareness and a sustainable improvement in company results.

The role of KPIs in corporate management

Key performance indicators (KPIs) play an indispensable role in corporate management by providing crucial insights into the performance and efficiency of business processes. Particularly in the context of marketing controlling, these KPIs serve as instruments for evaluating, managing and optimizing marketing activities, but their influence extends far beyond the marketing department.

Strategic decision-making

KPIs provide an objective basis for strategic decision-making at the highest level. By providing quantifiable performance data, they enable executives to make informed decisions about the allocation of resources, the prioritization of projects and the direction of strategic initiatives. By making success measurable, KPIs help organizations achieve their long-term goals more effectively.

Feedback and performance monitoring

In corporate management, KPIs also act as feedback instruments that provide continuous feedback on the effectiveness of measures and the achievement of targets. This continuous performance monitoring is essential in order to identify deviations from corporate goals at an early stage and initiate corrective measures. In addition, KPIs enable a comparison with industry benchmarks, which provides an external perspective on company performance and potential areas for improvement.

Transparency and communication

Transparency is crucial for effective leadership. KPIs contribute significantly to creating a transparent corporate culture by providing measurable goals and results that can be communicated at all levels of the organization. This not only promotes the understanding and acceptance of company goals among employees, but also increases their motivation and commitment to contribute to the company's success. Clear communication of KPIs helps to align the entire organization towards common goals and ensures coherent strategy implementation.

By integrating KPIs into corporate management, not only the performance of marketing campaigns, but also the performance of the entire company can be measured and controlled. They form a crucial interface between strategic planning and operational implementation by translating objectives into concrete, measurable targets. This makes KPIs a central tool for modern, data-supported corporate management aimed at increasing efficiency, promoting growth and ensuring sustainable corporate development.

Evaluation of specific marketing campaigns based on KPIs

The evaluation of specific marketing campaigns using key performance indicators (KPIs) enables a precise and objective analysis of the effectiveness of marketing measures. Through the targeted use of KPIs, companies can not only measure the success of their campaigns, but also gain deeper insights into the behavior and preferences of their target groups.

Evaluation of campaign efficiency

Specific KPIs can be defined for each marketing campaign, which are tailored to the respective objectives of the campaign. For example, for an online advertisement, the click-through rate (CTR) can be used as an indicator of the effectiveness of the advertisement in terms of generating website visits. In the case of an email marketing campaign, the open rate and click-through rate provide information about the recipients' interest and interaction with the campaign.

Analysis of customer engagement and behavior

KPIs such as conversion rates, Average length of stay on the website or the number of page views per visit provide valuable information about user engagement and behavior. By analyzing these metrics, marketers can evaluate the effectiveness of their content and make adjustments to improve the user experience and achieve conversion goals.

Review of the cost-benefit ratio

Cost-specific KPIs, such as cost per acquisition (CPA) or return on investment (ROI), are crucial for evaluating the profitability of marketing campaigns. A low CPA and a high ROI indicate efficient use of the marketing budget and a direct contribution to the company's success. By continuously monitoring these KPIs, marketing strategies can be optimized in real time and resources can be invested in the most effective channels and campaigns.

Overall, the evaluation of specific marketing campaigns based on KPIs enables well-founded decision-making and continuous optimization of marketing activities. This approach helps companies to achieve their marketing goals efficiently and effectively, increase customer satisfaction and ultimately ensure sustainable business success.

Use of Excel templates for marketing evaluation

Using Excel templates to evaluate marketing campaigns is a practical and efficient method of organizing and analyzing a wide range of data in a clear and concise manner. Predefined templates allow marketers to easily capture, structure and evaluate complex information without the need for in-depth knowledge of data analysis or programming.

Structured data acquisition

Excel templates can be used to create a standardized structure for data collection that enables consistent analysis and comparability of marketing activities across different campaigns and time periods. From the collection of basic campaign data to the entry of specific KPIs and the documentation of budgets and expenditure, these templates support the systematic compilation of all relevant information.

Visualization and analysis

A key advantage of Excel templates is the ability to not only collect large amounts of data, but also to prepare it visually. By using integrated functions such as charts, pivot tables and conditional formatting, trends, patterns and deviations can be quickly identified and displayed graphically. This visual component makes it easier to interpret the data and helps to present the results of the marketing evaluation clearly.

Increased efficiency and time savings

By using templates, recurring analysis processes can be standardized and automated, which saves a significant amount of time. Excel templates enable even less experienced users to effectively manage extensive data sets and perform complex analyses. They also facilitate collaboration within teams by providing a standardized framework for data entry and evaluation, thereby increasing efficiency throughout the marketing process.

Overall, Excel templates are a valuable tool for marketing evaluation, combining flexibility in data collection and analysis with efficiency and ease of use. They are a cost-effective solution for companies of all sizes to gain actionable insights from their marketing data and make informed decisions.

Selecting the right KPIs for effective performance marketing

The careful selection of the right key performance indicators (KPIs) is crucial for the implementation of effective performance marketing. It is crucial to identify KPIs that are directly aligned with the overall business objectives and provide concrete, measurable insights into the performance of marketing activities.

Understanding the company's goals

The first step is to understand the overarching business objectives. These can range from brand awareness, customer acquisition and retention to increasing sales. Each objective requires the identification of specific KPIs. For example, to increase brand awareness, KPIs such as social media Range or impressions, while metrics such as conversion rate or customer lifetime value (CLV) are crucial for customer acquisition and retention.

Relevance and measurability

The selected KPIs must be relevant and measurable. It is essential that they are directly related to the marketing objectives and can be measured efficiently using existing data sources. Another important aspect is the adaptability of KPIs to changing market conditions or company priorities so that the marketing strategy can be continuously optimized.

Dynamic adaptation and optimization

Performance marketing is a dynamic field, and the Relevance of KPIs can change with new technologies, customer preferences and competitive conditions. It is therefore important to regularly review the selected KPIs and adjust them if necessary. This process includes testing new metrics, evaluating their effectiveness and continually optimizing the KPI selection to continuously improve marketing performance.

Overall, selecting the right KPIs is a key step for successful performance marketing. By identifying KPIs that are closely linked to their core objectives, companies create a solid basis for measuring, evaluating and optimizing their marketing efforts. This strategic approach makes it possible to allocate resources effectively, make optimal use of the marketing budget and ultimately increase the company's success in the long term.