With consumers continuing to spend briskly online, and social websites aggregating ever-larger numbers of participants, the twain–online shopping and social networking–may finally be meeting.
That’s the main finding of a new nationwide survey from Guidance, a specialized technology advisor that envisions, builds and supports web technology solutions that help businesses thrive online. In the new survey, more than 60 percent of respondents report being drawn to online retailers that employ Web 2.0 tools and techniques.
In association with Chicago market researcher Synovate, Guidance asked 1,000 online consumers, “When thinking about shopping online, what is most likely to make you return to a given shopping website?â€
According to the Guidance/Synovate eNation study, conducted in March, 35 percent of total respondents said they’re most likely to return to a shopping website if it makes recommendations on products or services for sale–recommendations being among the most dominant activities in a Web 2.0 world. Another 26 percent want “a unique experience each time†they shop. Continually changing content is likewise a hallmark of Web 2.0.
Eighteen percent said they’re more likely to return “if the site solicits their feedback†on its products and services–feedback being the flipside to product and service recommendations. Sixteen percent said “a welcome when they arrive†at the site is the factor most likely to make them return, while 6 percent said they’re most likely to return “if the site makes them feel part of a community†with other shoppers/site visitors.
Originally posted on April 20, 2008 @ 10:58 am