Brands trying to build online conversions should invest in video, judging by Why Consumers Rely on Video To Help Them Shop Online, a global study from Ascend2 and
Brightcove.
Of the consumers polled worldwide, 85% say videos are essential as they shop online. Drilling down, 48% believe video increases their confidence in a
purchase. And 36% feels it helps them discover new products as they shop.
But it depends on who is providing the video.
In North America, 57% are most likely to trust videos
shared by other customers, and 49% from the brand itself (presumably including videos offered in emails). In contrast, 36% are confident videos on third-party review sites, and 9% from
influencers.
The percentages are similar globally, but 53% in the Asia-Pacific region prefer videos from brands.
It also depends on the generation: 25%
of Baby Boomers will move on if a video doesn’t load instantly, versus 5% of Gen Zers.
But 25% of Gen Z 25% of millennials, 26% of Gen Xers and 27’% of boomers will leave
after 5-10 seconds. Overall, 64% will bolt if it doesn’t load in four seconds.
Here’s a lesson for email teams: 83% of those who spend the most money online say interactive
features like click-to-purchase are helpful. Surely, it helps even more if the consumer can purchase within the email itself without clicking through to a web page — a feature provided in AMP
(Associated Mobile Pages) for email.
Overall, 54% have viewed product demonstration how-to video in the past three months, while 45% have watched a product
demonstration how-to video.
Product unboxing videos were viewed by 38% of Gen Z, 26% of millennials, 13% of Gen Xers — and 8% of boomers.
Meanwhile, 80% of Big
Spenders made a purchase as a result of a livestream or virtual shopping event.
What prompts shoppers to purchase from live events? They cite:
- Promotional discounts — 39%
- Product availability — 26%
- All my questions about the product were answered — 20%
- I felt more confident after seeing it live — 14%
- Other — 1%
When are people shopping most frequently online? Evening seems to be
tops — 48% in North America, 67% in Europe and 65% in Asia-Pacific cite it. But many also shop in afternoon — 46% in North America, 38% in Europe and 65% in
Asia-Pacific.
What are they buying? Videos have help consumers purchase these products:
- Consumer electronics (TV, computer,
phone) — 81%
- Toy or games — 80%
- DIY (tools, materials) — 78%
- Home appliances or furniture
(décor, furniture, appliances) — 76%
- Sports or outdoor (including garden, camping) — 76%
- Baby/children’s products —
75%
- Auto supplies — 71%
- Entertainment (concerts, theme park, experiences) — 66%
- Beauty products
(skin care, haircare, makeup) — 66%
- Apparel (clothing, shoes, accessories) — 60%
- Travel (hotels, flights, tours) —
59%
Ascend2 surveyed 1,346 consumers worldwide from March 20-April 15, 2022. Of these, 40% were in North America, while 32% were in Europe (the UK, Germany, and France) and 28%
were in the Asia-Pacific region (Japan, India, Australia).