Book Your Free Strategy Session:

Sign Up
Home » Encyclopedia Terms » C » Customer Data Platform (CDP) Definition

Customer Data Platform (CDP) Definition

Definition: A Customer Data Platform (CDP) is a type of software that collects, unifies, and organises customer data from multiple sources into a single, centralised profile. Unlike CRMs or data warehouses, a CDP is designed specifically for marketers to create a 360-degree view of each customer. This unified data allows businesses to deliver personalised campaigns, improve targeting, and measure results more accurately.

Use it in a Sentence: The retailer implemented a Customer Data Platform (CDP) to connect data from email, website, and in-store purchases into one customer profile.

Why a Customer Data Platform (CDP) is Important

1. Unifies Disconnected Data

A CDP brings together customer data from websites, apps, emails, loyalty systems, and offline sources into one place.

2. Enables Personalisation

With complete customer profiles, businesses can tailor offers, recommendations, and messaging to each individual.

3. Improves Marketing Efficiency

By making data accessible and actionable, a CDP helps marketing teams create smarter campaigns with higher ROI.

4. Supports Compliance and Privacy

Most CDPs are built with features that help businesses comply with regulations like GDPR by managing consent and data usage.

From Data to Decisions

A Customer Data Platform (CDP) gives businesses the clarity they need to understand customers fully, personalise experiences, and make smarter marketing decisions.

More Definitions

  • Buying Cycle: The stages a customer goes through from need recognition to purchase.
  • Campaign Metrics: The measurements used to track and evaluate marketing campaign performance.
  • Capital Allocation: The distribution of financial resources to maximise business growth and returns.
  • B2B Marketing Automation: Using software to streamline, automate, and measure B2B marketing tasks and workflows.
  • Clickstream Data: The record of a user’s online activity, showing the path they take through websites.

Useful Posts

Not All Tops of Funnels Are Created Equal: Our Take: An insight into how different approaches to the awareness stage impact lead quality, engagement, and overall funnel performance.

Contact Sales Funnel Professor

Grab a Free Strategy Session

Book Yours

Services & Capabilities

Sales Funnel Services
Top of Funnel

Search Engine Optimization/SEO

AI Search Optimization/AEO

Pay Per Click/SEM

Paid Social

Organic Social

Account-Based Marketing/ABM

Middle of Funnel

Websites

App Store Profiles

Newsletters

Retargeting/Remarketing

Bottom of Funnel

Relational/Contractual/Closer

Demo/Guided Tour

Freemium/In-App Upgrade

Checkout/Digital Purchase

Capabilities

Branding

Print Design

Video Production

Animation

Podcast Production

App<>CRM Integration

Sales & Marketing Stack Configuration

Sales Funnel Professor and The Professor's likeness are trademarks of ETC Software. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.