Measuring ROI (Return on Investment) in multichannel campaigns has become one of the most complex tasks for marketing professionals .
Given the increasing fragmentation of touchpoints and omnichannel consumer behavior, determining which channels are truly driving results is a challenge. Accurately attributing the impact of each channel and adjusting strategies accordingly is essential to maximizing ROI .
In this article, we will talk about the main attribution methodologies in multichannel campaigns , their advantages and limitations, as well as how to ensure that ROI analysis is aligned with business objectives. Check it out!
Why is measuring the ROI of multichannel campaigns more complex?
Multichannel campaigns involve several points of contact with the consumer, such as social media, email marketing, Google Ads, paid media, content marketing and even physical points of sale.
Each of these channels can play a different role in the purchase journey. The challenge lies in how to measure the value of each interaction and the impact of each channel on the final result of the campaign.
Traditionally, ROI is measured by dividing the total value generated by a campaign by the cost invested. However, in a multichannel campaign, this simple calculation does not capture the complexity of the consumer journey, which can involve multiple interactions across multiple channels.
Therefore, it is crucial to adopt attribution methodologies that take into account this multiplicity and the synergy between channels.
Attribution models: from simplicity to sophistication
Assigning value to different channels is one of the most effective ways to measure the ROI of multichannel campaigns . There are several methodologies, from the simplest to the most advanced, each with its advantages and limitations.
1. Last click attribution
The last-click attribution model is the simplest and most common, but also the most limited. This model gives 100% of the credit for the conversion to the last channel the customer interacted with before making the purchase. While easy to implement, this model ignores all previous interactions in the customer journey.
If a user clicked on a Facebook ad, browsed the site, but only completed the purchase after clicking on a promotional email, the last-click model will give full credit to the email. This can undervalue the impact of channels like social media or display ads.
2. First click attribution
In contrast to the previous model, first-click attribution gives 100% of croatia phone number data the credit to the first touchpoint. While it recognizes the value of the initial discovery of the product or service, it also fails to take into account the contributions of subsequent channels, which may have been crucial to the final purchase decision.
This model is useful for evaluating awareness-focused campaigns, but it fails to assign adequate value to the channels that help nurture the lead throughout the purchase journey.
3. Linear assignment
The linear attribution model is an alternative that distributes credit for a conversion equally across all touchpoints. This model recognizes the contribution of each channel, giving equal weight to each interaction, whether it is at the beginning or end of the conversion funnel.
While more balanced than first- or last-click models, linear attribution still simplifies reality by treating all touchpoints as equally valuable, when in fact some channels may have more influence over a consumer’s decision than others.
4. Decreasing time-based assignment
This model places more value on the channels that the customer has interacted with most recently, while giving less credit to previous interactions. The logic behind this approach is that channels that are closer to the point of conversion have a greater impact on the purchase decision.
If a consumer saw an ad on Google, then clicked on an email, and finally converted via a sponsored link, the credit would be distributed based on decreasing time, with greater weight given to the sponsored link.
5. U-shaped assignment
U-shaped attribution gives greater weight to the first and last touchpoints in the customer journey, recognizing the importance of both the channel that captured the lead and the channel that completed the conversion. Intermediate channels receive less credit, but are still considered.
This model is effective for campaigns that involve a lead nurturing strategy, where both initial discovery and purchase completion are equally important.
6. Attribution with AI and machine learning
Models based on artificial intelligence and machine learning are the most advanced in terms of measuring ROI in multichannel campaigns.