What is Online Purchase Data? Examples, Datasets and Providers

What is Online Purchase Data Used for?

Marketers and businesses rely on online purchase data to track the habits of their consumers. They can use consumer profiles to:

• Identify people’s interests and then personalize ad campaigns to match this. * Personalized outreach is proven to be more effective at nurturing leads, building rapport with leads, and eventually in revenue generation. As such, businesses that invest in online purchase datasets usually report positive ROI.
• Evaluate the performance of their business online. They can track how many customers who visited the site followed through to make a purchase and then identify where the issue was with those who didn’t buy anything.
• Compare how their business matches up to their competitors and identify what could be improved to increase their company’s profits.

How is Online Purchase Data Collected?

When you the visit the website of an online retailer and consent to their web analytics, the site begins to collect data about the consumer. It will track:

• steps they make towards making a purchase (pages viewed and CTR);
• how long they spent on the website (session length);
• information about the purchase (SKU-level product information).

This could be whether it was a luxury or essential item, whether the consumer used a discount code or whether this was in-line with their usual purchasing patterns. This information which is collected by the website itself is first-party data.

Third-party applications also collect information and use this to compile an online purchase dataset. These third-parties will track the consumer’s online actions in a consent-managed way and begin to build a consumer profile based off their online purchasing habits. This can include:

• the items that they typically buy online;
• the frequency of their purchases;
• the amount they spend.

This is how third-party data is collected.

What Are the Attributes of Online Purchase Data?

An online purchase dataset will typically include lots of information about the online user as well as the purchases they make.

First-party data points
Information collected by first-party vendors (i.e. the site the consumer purchases from) is called engagement data. This is a record of the consumer’s interaction with the site up until the point of purchase and can include a variety of information, for example what product the consumer is buying, how much it costs and their payment method (for example did they use a discount code or pay in full?) First-party data will also track whether this is the customer’s first purchase or whether they are repeat customers which is used to track consumer brand loyalty and other consumer behaviour patterns.

Third-party data points
Third-party data from external data providers can create more holistic consumer profile than first-party data can. This is because external data providers take information from a range of websites to analyze customer behaviour and purchasing patterns. This can include information about the products which a consumer is interested, how often they tend to make an online purchase and whether they have a strong sense of brand loyalty (i.e. do they repeatedly buy from the same sites, or move to new ones selling similar products?) Typically, third-party datasets will contain more data attributes, and there’s also more leverage to get custom attributes from providers.

How Can Online Purchase Data Be Used Effectively?

Online purchase data can enhance retail strategies, loyalty program designs, and promotional campaigns. By analyzing consumer behaviors and spending patterns, businesses can optimize marketing efforts, track credit deal performance, and improve customer engagement. Regular updates ensure the data remains relevant for decision-making.

Our suggestion? Pair these datasets with customer feedback and other transaction data for a holistic view of your market and improved campaign effectiveness.

How can I Assess the Quality of Online Purchase Data?

The best online purchase datasets will provide regularly updated information about purchases that have been made online and the preferences of the consumers who made these purchases. Historical purchase data is often equally important because it can be used to identify online purchase trends and how demand for products has changed over time.

Always make sure to read the data provider’s reviews before buying any online purchase data. Lastly, always ask for a data sample in advance to ensure that the online purchase data provided matches your businesses needs.

How Accurate is Online Purchase Data?

Online purchase datasets are typically validated to ensure a high level of accuracy, with many providers reporting over 95% precision. This includes data processing, tagging, and deduplication to deliver reliable insights into consumer spending patterns and behaviors.

How Frequently is Online Purchase Data Updated?

The data can be updated daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the provider. Near real-time updates (e.g., T+1) are available for timely analytics, while historical data spans up to 9 years or more for trend analysis.

Is Online Purchase Data Secure?

Yes, online purchase data is handled with strict confidentiality and compliance protocols. Many datasets are de-identified to protect individual privacy, and providers implement secure platforms, encryption, and adherence to data regulations like GDPR to safeguard the information. At Datarade, we are particularly meticulous in ensuring that all data providers meet these standards, enforcing strict policies to guarantee security and regulatory compliance.

How Can Online Purchase Data Be Delivered?

Online purchase data can be delivered through various methods such as APIs, flat files, or secure database transfers. Common formats include .csv, .json, .xls, and .sql files, allowing seamless integration into your analytical tools and systems. Delivery frequencies range from real-time updates to weekly or monthly intervals.

What Factors Influence the Cost of Online Purchase Data?

The cost of online purchase data depends on the dataset’s size, scope, and level of granularity. Pricing models may include one-off purchases, monthly or yearly licenses, and usage-based fees. Many providers offer free samples, allowing you to evaluate the data quality before committing.

How Comprehensive is Online Purchase Data Coverage?

Online purchase data provides a broad view of consumer activity, covering millions of transactions across multiple retailers and brands. Datasets often include attributes such as demographics, spending habits, merchant details, and loyalty program participation. Historical data may also be available for trend analysis.