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Understanding COBRA (customers' online brand-related behaviors) Typology for Brand Growth


Feb 7, 2023

Businesses active in the digital space recognize the importance of understanding their customers' online brand-related behaviors (COBRA). Organizations may use such a typology to identify and analyze how consumers engage with their goods, services, and brands.

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The COBRA is a customer-behavioral model used to understand, predict and manage customer interactions with a brand. Customers' online brand-related behaviors are a subset of brand-related engagement that describe the relationship between the product and the consumer. The COBRA Typology provides a framework for understanding customer behavior by categorizing consumers into three distinct attitudes:

(1) COBRA - customers' online brand-related behaviors
(2) COBLUE - customers' boycotting behaviors
(3) COBROOMS - customer behavioral variations

The aim of such research is to enable companies to identify appropriate customer communication channels and build long-term relationships with their customers to increase sales and return visits.

The Cobra Scoring Matrix is a tool used to evaluate the effectiveness of a brand's online marketing strategy. It is based on customer research and provides insight into how consumers "think" about brands, as well as helps marketers understand their customer relationship management processes.

The COBRA Typology is an extensional model that describes the three main categories of consumers: loyalists, influencers, and opportunistic or explorers. The model also identifies three subgroups: high-value loyalists, low-value loyalists, and stagnant participants.

  • Loyalists love to stay connected to their favorite brands or products through social media platforms. They are often highly engaged with content related to their interests and actively seek new ways to express themselves or stay informed. Companies focus on building relationships with these users by providing engaging content that resonates with them.

  • Influencers have a strong presence in the digital world due to their influence over the opinions of others about specific topics or products. They often share valuable information about these and have thousands of followers who trust their judgment. Marketers focus on connecting with influencers by offering them special deals or opportunities to collaborate, benefitting both parties involved.

  • Opportunistic or explorers consistently look for new ways to interact digitally and may not be loyal to any particular product or brand. They prefer exploring many different options before making a purchase decision. Companies showcasing their products and services as value for money over contemporaries tend to do well with these consumers.

To comprehend how consumers interact with your products online, it becomes crucial to consider the various COBRA typologies available, including - examining how users utilize large amounts of online resources, storage, and chat spaces, aiming to create effective marketing strategies tailored specifically to each group's needs. By understanding the nuances between these groups, companies can optimally target their content for maximum reach.

Consumers who utilize a lot of online storage and chat space are one such type that is becoming increasingly relevant in today's digital environment. These consumers are known as "high users," and their COBRA habits can be classified into the following groups:

  • Information seekers: These consumers are regularly digging for information about brands online. They use a lot of storage space to store this information. They are often active on forums and discussion boards where they ask questions and seek advice.

  • Product reviewers: These consumers store a lot of information about their purchased products. Subsequently, they review these products online to help other buyers make informed purchase decisions.

  • Social media enthusiasts: Social media enthusiasts use a lot of chat space to engage with brands on social media. Actively participating in brand-related conversations, they are often early adopters of new products and services.

  • Online shoppers: These consumers use a lot of storage space to store information about products they are interested in purchasing. They are also active users of e-commerce websites and are always on the lookout for the best deals and discounts.

COBRA typology can be useful for companies in the following ways:

  • Customer Segmentation: By understanding the different types of social media users, companies can segment their customer base and tailor their marketing strategies accordingly.

  • Targeted Marketing: COBRA typology helps companies identify the channels and tactics that are most effective for reaching each customer segment. This allows them to create more targeted and effective marketing campaigns.

  • Increased Customer Engagement: By understanding the behaviors and preferences of their customers, companies can create more engaging content and experiences that resonate well with their target audience.

  • Better Customer Service: COBRA typology can help companies identify the most common issues and concerns of their customers. This information can be used to improve customer service and resolve issues more efficiently.

  • Improved Customer Retention: By providing a better customer experience, companies can increase customer loyalty and reduce customer churn.

COBRA typology is a valuable tool for companies that want to understand their customers better and optimize their online brand-related activities. Companies may enhance consumer engagement and retention by leveraging this information to build more focused and successful marketing initiatives, leading to higher success and growth.