The Domino Effect of Bad Data: 5 Reasons Why Your Data Is Wrong

Many marketers are so hungry for data to prove a campaign is working, a segment exists, or an investment is effective, they don’t invest enough upfront time in ensuring proper data collection and integration. But when the foundation is unstable, all interpretations and assumptions made using the data begin to crumble, and the accuracy of your insights and projections often falls faster than a row of dominoes.

There are five primary drivers of bad data:

1. Lacking a coherent integration strategy. Far too often, data integration starts with a casual conversation about how it’d be nice if that offline sales data could be integrated into the web analytics platform. Of course, everyone thinks that it is a fine idea, and soon after, something is slapped together and your data is “integrated.” As time goes on, more often than not problems start to emerge. You don’t actually have all the data you need to make decisions. The data you’re importing isn’t actually tied to any of the data in the web analytics platform. The overall setup doesn’t allow for meaningful analysis leading to clear action. All it does is allow you to overlay a chart of your offline sales with your online traffic. #fail

Taking a step back, any data integration platform needs to start with a solid plan. Talk to all of the stakeholders who will be using the platform to define the business questions it should answer, the comprehensive list of data sources to integrate, the plan for how that integration will take place, and what views will be needed of the data. Start with a robust, solid foundation that plans for the future and anticipates growth.

2. Assuming data integration is a web analytics issue. Web analytics software is great, but it is simply another data collection tool and another component of your integration. Do not approach integration as web analytics plus a couple of other things. You need to think about all the other data sources that are just as critical to true measurement success and weight them appropriately. More clients than I care to admit try to force all their data into a web analytics-based construct rather than pull that data out and put it into a more ideal and robust data structure.

3. Garbage in, garbage out. This one should be clear to everyone, but too often it is overlooked. Your data is only as good as the component inputs. Partners, vendors, customers – they all have different standards for collecting and tracking what should be the same attribute. If they’re measuring things wrong or have other measurement inconsistencies present, then your integration is going to have little value.

4. Critical data sources are missing. While the quality of the data is critical, what data sources you incorporate is equally important. Many integrations stop once the convenient data sources are completed or reach the boundaries of what data sources the digital marketing team owns. Integration projects need to be enterprise-wide to truly add enough value to achieve the desired ROI and understand the entire the impact of your marketing. If your digital channel is driving offline sales, then those sales need to be included in your integration. If your online sales are driven by print or direct mail campaigns, that information needs to be included as well.

5. Does not evolve with the business. Targeting and measurement technologies are evolving at a furious pace and your business is changing as well. Data strategies need to be based on a flexible schema to allow for growth and change. New marketing tactics will be added to the media mix. Two years ago, Facebook Advertising and Insights data wasn’t on the radar for many companies. Now it is critical marketing intelligence. Don’t look at data integration as a point-in-time project but instead as a continuously evolving campaign. Every quarter, upgrades should be made, data sources changed, and overall functionality enhanced to stay current with business needs and industry capabilities.

While it may be less glamorous than ideating the next viral campaign, having a solid foundation will ensure you are focusing on the right audiences, with the right media.