tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982929039928011010.post4136618140212385537..comments2007-09-24T12:23:26.118-07:00Cal Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10746407796830546557noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982929039928011010.post-67355854494640057272007-09-24T12:09:00.000-07:002007-09-24T12:09:00.000-07:00I think these tips are great and spot on. As a consumer, I find that the follow-up email for a cart I have left full is a great way to finish the deal. 99% of the time, I will buy the product if I get the email - especially if they offer me free shipping or a discount if I buy now!Heidinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982929039928011010.post-29769600966315771682007-09-10T07:07:00.000-07:002007-09-10T07:07:00.000-07:00You know that’s funny, I agree with you….everyone hyper focuses on traffic and numbers and throw all kinds of money out the window for those things and then the same people don’t bother to make sure that same traffic stays on the site. I’ve done searches for a lot of websites that have horrible homepage conditions when I get there and I just leave. There are of course the handful of sites that have a fantastic homepage which I’ve been visiting for 10+ years now.<BR/><BR/>Speaking of conversion rates for websites I agree that security is a huge concern for most online shoppers and I’ve seen a ton of people find what they want online and then shut down their computer and drive to the mall to see if any of the stores there carry the product. Sadly there are so many legitimate sites with great products that look like a Kindergartner built them and so no one buys anything. As experienced as I am on the Internet, I took am still very cautious when buying online although I generally use the same sites over and over. Most of the time you can’t find any physical address, or contact information for the website! A good tip for you all is to “Google” the website and/or products you’re considering to look for negative reviews or problems with clients.<BR/><BR/>Nigel makes some very valid points in this blog but I think every legitimate site should also have forums so that users can see what people think of the site and its products. I’ve used forums for this many times and it has helped me make my decision as to whether or not I would be buying from a particular website. I also like his point about having the “save cart” option. In my experiences I’ve had to stop shopping and had to come back the next day….very handy.<BR/><BR/>Once you get to a website the site has to function like a good TV commercial and Bryan’s pyramid makes perfect sense to me. A sites services and products have to look attractive and the site has to present a friendly easy to use interface. Those are the things I see making people use a site for purchasing things. A persuasive website will always win out. <BR/><BR/>I’m a combination of a methodical and spontaneous online shopper. I am generally looking to pre-order a game or a movie but other times I am looking for something that might have gone under my radar so I will search for things by genre or title etc. Its was very interesting to see the four personality types listed here. <BR/><BR/>The example you used of needing to get a gift to Mike on a specific date is a good one. There are way to many sites (I see them all the time) that only offer one or two types of options for delivery or a limited number of products in a certain genre. It is so important for owners of websites to understand that visitors want options…not one or two but every possible option. Like you said, the site that did that got your credit card information! A lack of options is a killer in the online world.<BR/><BR/>Conversion rates aren’t increasing much because of the things you mentioned in this post but in general I find most people just don’t trust the internet or those damn machines. We have to find a way to get these people online before we worry about how our sites appear to them……good luck! :)Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11808046374934603869noreply@blogger.com