MARKETING IN THE DATA-DRIVEN ERA: ANALYTICAL TOOLS AND DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore the role of analytical tools in modern marketing and to assess their influence on decision-making, competitiveness, and consumer engagement in the context of the data-driven era. In particular, the study seeks to classify the main categories of analytical methods, determine the principles of their effective application, and identify the advantages and limitations of using analytics in practice. Special attention is given to the growing relevance of data-driven marketing strategies in conditions of digital transformation, the rapid development of big data technologies, and the increasing importance of artificial intelligence in shaping consumer behavior. Methodology. The research is based on a qualitative analytical approach that combines a comprehensive review of secondary sources, academic literature, industry reports, and practical case studies. A comparative analysis of several widely used analytical tools was carried out, including Google Analytics, Serpstat, KISSmetrics, and SurveyMonkey. These instruments were evaluated in terms of their functions, usability, advantages, and shortcomings. The study also applied a problem-oriented perspective, focusing on how analytics contributes to solving concrete business challenges, such as audience segmentation, campaign optimization, cost reduction, and ROI improvement. The results confirm that marketing analytics has evolved into a central strategic function rather than a supplementary activity. Its application enables companies to segment audiences with greater precision, optimize marketing investments, enhance personalization, and forecast consumer demand at both micro and macro levels. At the same time, the study highlights key risks, including misuse of statistical data, reliance on vanity metrics that do not reflect business outcomes, and ethical challenges related to privacy and transparency. The findings further emphasize the future potential of predictive and prescriptive models, as well as AI-driven tools, which are expected to transform marketing analytics into an even more powerful driver of competitiveness. Practical implications. The study formulates several recommendations for enterprises seeking to enhance their marketing performance through analytics. These include: developing integrated systems that connect CRM, ERP, and advertising platforms for end-to-end evaluation; investing in automation and advanced digital tools to ensure timely insights; prioritizing staff training to develop both technical and interpretive competences; applying analytics to consumer-centric strategies, with a strong focus on personalization; adhering to ethical standards of data use to preserve trust and ensure compliance with legal frameworks such as GDPR. Collectively, these measures allow companies not only to evaluate past performance but also to engage in proactive forecasting and innovation. The originality of this article lies in its integrated perspective that combines theoretical foundations with practical recommendations and comparative analysis of specific analytical tools. Unlike studies that treat analytics as an auxiliary technique, this research demonstrates its central role as a strategic instrument of modern marketing management. By linking micro-level insights into consumer behavior with macro-level market forecasting, the paper offers a holistic framework for understanding the impact of marketing analytics. The value of the study is reflected in its practical relevance for both small and large enterprises, providing them with clear guidelines on how to implement analytics effectively and sustainably in the data-driven era.