Pricing Strategies

What Is Dynamic Pricing: Everything You Need To Know About It

By June 20, 2020July 6th, 2020No Comments

Many businesses use different methods of pricing to attract consumers to the goods and services they offer. As we know, customers always opt for a service or good that is affordable and comes at a reasonable price. Therefore, businesses need to understand the importance of setting the right price and choosing the right pricing strategy.

Implementing the right pricing method not only helps businesses see a drastic change in the demand for the goods and services they have but also improves the brand image. Therefore, using different pricing strategies is always an excellent way for any business to have control and establish itself in the market for becoming successful.

While there are various pricing techniques, this post focuses on dynamic pricing. We will discuss what dynamic pricing is, why it is effective, the advantages, and the loopholes of this pricing strategy. Continue reading to find everything you need to know about this pricing method.


What Is Dynamic Pricing?

Dynamic pricing is a strategy adopted by businesses to set flexible prices for the goods and services they offer. In this method, the price of the goods and services depends on the consumers’ demands. Businesses keep changing the prices of the products and services based on certain calculations and algorithms. They also focus on factors such as competitor pricing, supply and demand of the product, and even external factors that influence pricing, such as consumer behavior.

However, different businesses utilize this particular method differently. Each business has its specific requirements, needs, and objectives that they need to fulfill to achieve success in the market. Therefore, any business using this method will have a slightly different approach.

Dynamic pricing, in other words, is a strategy that uses variable pricing rather than fixed pricing. The data collected through multiple market research sources, calculations, and precise analysis help the business set the right pricing. The price of a product or service could change almost every season or even the time of the day. It depends on the type of business using the method and what they have to offer.


When And Why Should A Business Use It?

The best time to use this method depends on the type of business since we know that a company using this method focuses on the factors that influence pricing. Therefore, the best time to use this method also depends on the product and services the business offers.

For instance, a hotel could use this method during the season when tourism is at its peak. As tourism increases, the demand for hotels also increases; so, a hotel can attract tourists by setting the price lower than the competitors. They will head to the hotel for an affordable price, helping the hotel generate more revenue.

Retailers implement dynamic pricing at both eCommerce and physical stores. For instance, if you own a clothing store listed on Amazon, dynamic pricing can help you stay at the top of rankings. Businesses can use this strategy to get an insight into the market trends and know about the real-time supply-demand of various products.


Examples Of Dynamic Pricing

Let’s have a look at some examples to learn more about dynamic pricing.

  • Airlines

    American Airlines adopted dynamic pricing as a method to improve profit margins in the early 80s. And since then, it has become a popular pricing strategy in mainstream business. The price of airline tickets may change due to numerous reasons, such as the number of seats available, the season, late purchase of the ticket, and the type of seat.

  • Hotels

    Hotels also set prices depending on the type of rooms they have to offer, the size of the room, and demand. Other than this, if they have other facilities to offer, the price will change accordingly. The pricing also varies with the season; for instance, during the holiday season, the demand is high, so the prices may fluctuate.

  • Utility Companies

    Well, have you ever noticed the price of energy bills fluctuate over time? Even if you use the same amount of electricity as the previous month, the bill is sometimes much higher. Utility companies set prices based on peak hours. So, if you use more electricity during peak hours, you will have to pay more.

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The Advantages And Disadvantages

There are several advantages of using this method, but there are some drawbacks that every business must consider before adopting this strategy.

Pros

  • A good method to improve brand image
  • Increases sales
  • Creates higher levels of demands
  • Generates more profit
  • Better inventory management
  • Gives real-time insight into demand-supply
  • Helps adjust prices to stay competitive

Cons

  • Customers might find it confusing since the price is not stable
  • It can be difficult to manage each product, as the price for each product changes separately
  • Requires more data collection which can be costly and time-consuming
  • Might be suitable for e-commerce, but retailers will find it quite difficult to manage

Should You Use It?

If you want to have control over your pricing strategy, this particular method will help you. This strategy helps in many ways that are quite crucial in the business world. First of all, you will know your competitor’s pricing and the changes they make. Therefore, you will get a chance to come up with something better.

Besides, you will have a better understanding of the supply and demand for each product and service. The dynamic pricing method can help with setting good prices and increase revenue. However, you must consider the type of products/services you offer before adopting this strategy.


Conclusion

The dynamic pricing method is useful for businesses in many ways; however, it is important to use this method the right way. This strategy can help maximize profits, but it can also push the customers away. The key is to use the right pricing method at the right time, catering to consumers’ needs.

Do You Know Your Competitors Prices? Click Here to Start Tracking Them Today!

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