Commentary

Search Engines: The Shopper's Aid

According to The Compete Online Shopper Intelligence study, over 80 million consumers use shopping comparison sites every month. Sites like Cnet, Bizrate, and Yahoo! Shopping each attract over 20 million shoppers.  Only 6% of consumers surveyed as part of the study indicated that they conducted no research prior to their last online purchase. 

From instant price comparisons, to first hand consumer reviews, to video demonstrations, shoppers are taking advantage of this wealth of information. Consumers depend on search engines more than other resources to help them shop online. 3 out of 5 shoppers said that they always or often use search engines when shopping online.  More consumers use search engines than they do coupon sites, retailer emails, consumer reviews, or shopping comparison sites.

Frequency of Using Tools Shopping Online (% of Respondents)

Online Tools

% of Respondents Using Always or Often

Search engines

61%

Coupon sites

35

Retailer emails

29

Online product/retail reviews

24

Shopper comparison sites

22

Shopping portals

19

Social networking sites

10

Source: Compete.com, February 2010

The study finds that the differences in consumer behavior across various industries have vast implications for retailers within each sector. Sales assistants, both in store and on web chat, are utilized by online shoe shoppers more than any other shoppers.  Online kitchenware & household appliance purchasers are among the most reliant on in store product displays.   

In the apparel industry, only 1 out of 10 apparel shoppers stated that they used a search engine for their last online purchase.  Instead, they rely on retailer emails and catalogs to learn about products.  That means consumers are more likely to purchase from apparel retailers they have purchased from in the past and are less likely to discover new retailers.

Information Sources Used Before Purchasing Apparel

Information Source

% Apparel Purchasers

Email from retailer

38%

Retail websites

26

Retailer mailing

23

Online advertisement

18

Search engines

12

Source: Compete.com, February 2010

Electronic shoppers, on the other hand, actively seek out new products and manufactures, says the report.  Search engines, professional reviews, social generated reviews, and recommendations from family and friends were among the top 5 resources used.  Electronic manufactures can reach and influence these consumers more easily though a variety of media.

Information Sources Used Before Purchasing Electronics

Information Source

% of Electronic Purchasers

Retail websites

59%

Search engines

45

Online professional reviews

29

Consumer online reviews

21

Friends, family, colleagues

14

Source: Compete.com, February 2010

It is essential, says the report, for retailers to understand how consumers in their space shop online, in order to effectively retain and acquire customers. Retailers should understand their particular customer niche and develop strategies unique to them, concludes the report.

And, in a correlative study regarding information sources, by Opinion Research Corporation and sponsored by ARAnet, young and highly educated consumers say online information sources influence their buying decisions at a markedly higher rate than the rest of the population. Personal advice from friends or family members was by far the most influential source, followed by TV broadcasts and search engines.

Scott Severson, president of ARAnet, says "The eyes of young people 18 to 34... (as well as)... highly educated Americans are looking online to search engines, online articles, online ads, email offers and social media to a degree that is head and shoulders above the average citizen."

According to the study, consumers in the 25-to-34 age range expressed strong preference for:

  • Search engines... 50% vs. 39% for all respondents
  • Online articles... 39% vs. 28% for all respondents
  • Emails from retailers or manufacturers... 32% vs. 20% for all respondents
  • Online ads... 30% vs. 19% for all respondents
  • Social media... 31% vs. 18% for all respondents

The following data summary shows the percentage of respondents choosing a 4 or 5 out of 5 - where 1 is NOT influential at all, and 5 is VERY influential in buying decisions, and the mean summary rating points:

Influence In Buying Decisions

Influence

% Very Influenced (4 or 5 out of 5)

Average of Rating Points

Personal advice from friends or family members

59%

 3.6 out of 5

TV news or other broadcasts

40%

 3.1

Search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, or Ask.com

39%

 3.0

Ads seen on TV

36%

 3.0

Articles seen in newspapers or magazines

33%

 3.0

Ads seen in newspapers or magazines

31%

 2.9

Articles seen online

28%

2.8

Radio news or other broadcasts

25%

 2.7

Direct mail

24%

 2.7

Ads heard on the radio

20%

2.6

Emails received from retailers or manufacturers

20%

 2.5

Ads seen online

19%

 2.5

Messages or posts on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or MySpace

18%

2.3

Billboards

15%

 2.3

Source: ARAnet, February 2010

For people making $75,000 or more, the report says, search engines are preferred by 49% vs. 39% for all respondents, a signal that high-income consumers are also following the trend to online sources. This supports the industry trend of a higher percentage of marketing budgets flowing into online and digital tactics.

Severson concludes that "Search engine optimization and backlinks from advertising and public relations efforts are providing information in the places where high-value consumers are influenced about buying decisions."

To see more about the younger consumers, please visit the ARA here, or to find more information from the Online Shopper Intelligence study, please go here.

2 comments about "Search Engines: The Shopper's Aid".
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  1. Howie Goldfarb from Blue Star Strategic Marketing, March 4, 2010 at 10:38 a.m.

    This is going to be deadly to retailers, especially for big ticket items. I have written about this in my blog in the past. Imagine going to a store to buy a big screen HDTV. You have your Andriod or IPone with you. You find the model you like, do a quick search on the phone to compare prices and you approach the salesperson. You say I can get this $3000 TV for $2700 on sale at your competitor. I like your store. Match the price I buy now or I walk. What does the retailer do?

    The issue with Big Ticket vs normal CPG's is you won't be buying a TV again for a few years possibly. So it's not like you will be back in 2 weeks. I can also see electronic shopping lists that allow compare supermarket prices so a consumer can split their weekly trip between two markets getting the best values.

    Great developments for consumers. Not sure about for retailers.

  2. Paula Lynn from Who Else Unlimited, March 4, 2010 at 11:01 a.m.

    As always, all forms of advertising/publicity/PR purpose is getting the customer inside the door (various forms of doors today). It is the customer experience once inside from decor to merchandise availability and customer service as well as price are what separates the purchaser and their money.

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