logo

Average Customer Lifetime Value by Industry

No Logo
Author

Anastasia Belyh

Last Update

Feb 10, 2025

We earn a commission from partner links on Keevee. Commissions do not affect our editor's opinions or evaluations.

Customer lifetime value (CLV) measures the total revenue a customer generates over their relationship with a business. Knowing industry-specific CLV helps optimize marketing spend and improve retention strategies for long-term growth.

  • Best CRM Software

Average Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) by Industry

Below is a breakdown of average CLV benchmarks across industries. CLV varies widely based on customer loyalty, purchase frequency, and average order value (AOV).

IndustryAverage CLV RangeKey Factors
E-Commerce$300-$1,200Repeat purchases and personalized marketing.
SaaS (B2B)$3,000-$12,000+Subscription renewals and account expansion.
Healthcare$2,500-$8,000High loyalty and long-term treatment plans.
Fitness & Wellness$500-$2,000Membership retention and add-on sales.
Retail$200-$800Impulse buying and loyalty programs.
Financial Services$5,000-$20,000Trust-based services like loans or investments.
Hospitality$2,000-$10,000Repeat stays and customer loyalty programs.
Real Estate$8,000-$50,000+High-value, one-time transactions with occasional repeat.
Education$1,000-$5,000Course subscriptions and student referrals.

Average CLV by Customer Type

In industries like SaaS, e-commerce, and hospitality, the type of customer can significantly impact CLV. Below is a table detailing average CLV for different customer types.

Customer TypeIndustry ExamplesCLV Range
Frequent ShoppersE-Commerce, Retail$500-$1,500
SubscribersSaaS, Fitness Apps$1,200-$10,000+
High-Ticket CustomersReal Estate, Financial Services$8,000-$50,000+
Seasonal CustomersHospitality, Travel$2,000-$5,000
One-Time BuyersRetail, Healthcare$100-$500

CLV by Marketing Channel

Different marketing channels often yield varying CLVs. Below are benchmarks based on how customers are acquired.

Marketing ChannelAverage CLVBest Practices
Organic Search$800-$3,000Optimize SEO to attract high-quality leads.
Paid Ads$500-$2,000Focus on retention to offset high CAC.
Email Marketing$1,000-$5,000Build long-term engagement and upsell products.
Social Media$300-$1,000Engage customers with consistent content and offers.
Referral Programs$2,000-$8,000Referrals often lead to high-value, loyal customers.

Factors Influencing Customer Lifetime Value

Several elements contribute to higher or lower CLV across industries:

  1. Purchase Frequency: Businesses with repeat purchases, like fitness apps, often see higher CLV.
  2. Average Order Value (AOV): High-ticket industries like real estate or financial services naturally have higher CLV.
  3. Customer Retention: Strong loyalty programs and excellent customer service drive long-term value.
  4. Upselling and Cross-Selling: Businesses that offer complementary products or services maximize revenue per customer.

Strategies to Maximize CLV

Focus on Customer Retention

  1. Build loyalty programs that reward repeat purchases.
  2. Regularly engage with your customers through email and social media.

Upsell and Cross-Sell

  1. Offer add-ons or premium products/services to increase revenue per customer.
  2. Use data analytics to suggest relevant products.

Provide Exceptional Customer Service

  1. Ensure fast, friendly, and reliable support.
  2. Train employees to deliver personalized experiences.

Optimize Onboarding Processes

  1. For subscription models, guide new customers with easy-to-follow tutorials.
  2. Reduce churn during the critical first month.

Invest in CRM Tools

  1. Use tools like HubSpot or Salesforce to track customer interactions.
  2. Identify opportunities for re-engagement.

Implement Targeted Marketing Campaigns

  1. Segment customers based on behavior and preferences.
  2. Tailor promotions to specific customer groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

No Logo
Author

Anastasia Belyh

Anastasia Belyh is a senior tech writer with over 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, and business software. Having worked in investment banking, management consulting, and founded multiple companies, her in-depth knowledge and hands-on expertise make her software reviews authoritative, trustworthy, and highly practical for business decision-makers.