Customer Lifetime Value
What is Customer Lifetime Value in User Behavior?
Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) is a metric that estimates the total revenue a business can expect from a single customer account throughout the entire duration of their relationship. It helps businesses understand the long-term value of their customers based on their behavior, purchases, and engagement over time.
Synonyms: CLV, Lifetime Value, Customer Value, Customer Equity

Why Customer Lifetime Value is Important
Understanding CLV helps businesses focus on retaining valuable customers and optimizing marketing efforts to increase profitability. It shifts the focus from short-term sales to long-term customer relationships.
How Customer Lifetime Value is Used
Businesses use CLV to segment customers, tailor marketing strategies, and allocate resources efficiently. It informs decisions on customer acquisition costs, loyalty programs, and personalized experiences.
Examples of Customer Lifetime Value
For example, an e-commerce store might calculate that a repeat customer typically spends $500 over five years. This insight helps the store decide how much to invest in retaining that customer versus acquiring new ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What factors influence Customer Lifetime Value? Customer purchase frequency, average order value, and customer retention rate.
- How can businesses increase Customer Lifetime Value? By improving customer satisfaction, offering personalized experiences, and encouraging repeat purchases.
- Is Customer Lifetime Value the same for all customers? No, it varies based on individual customer behavior and engagement levels.