42244 0 3 econsultancy_xml <p>The study highlights the importance of <strong>customer research</strong> - 74% of online consumers actively research online before buying, while 76% feel that the internet allows them to make more informed decisions. </p> <p> <strong>The most trusted sources of information were:</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Search engines - 71% </li> <li>Personal recommendations - 67% </li> <li>Retailer's websites - 57% </li> <li>Price comparison websites - 56% </li> <li>Online reviews by experts - 50% </li> </ul> <p>The study indicates that the amount of information available on the web makes it more likely that customers will switch brands - 42% of consumers have switched between firms as a result. </p> <p>Brands still have a lot of influence though - 80% said they preferredto buy online from brands and retailers they were familiar with. </p> <p> <strong>The research also delved into other influences on purchase decisions, with some interesting results:</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Trust in the website's abilty to keep details safe - 88% </li> <li>Delivery prices being clear - 87% </li> <li>Usability of the website - 85% </li> <li>Ability to check order status - 78% </li> <li>Being able to take products back to offline store - 66% </li> <li>Ability to access customer reviews - 48% </li> </ul> <p>As for advertising, 51% of consumers said they would pay more attention to an ad on a site they trusted.</p> <p> <strong>Further reading:</strong> <br /> <a href="/blog/1461-consumers-who-research-online-spend-more-offline-report">Consumers who research online spend more offline - report</a> </p> <FormattedContent xmlns="http://www.e-consultancy.com/schema/formattedContent/"> <Paragraph>The study highlights the importance of <Emphasis>customer research</Emphasis> - 74% of online consumers actively research online before buying, while 76% feel that the internet allows them to make more informed decisions. </Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>The most trusted sources of information were:</Emphasis> </Paragraph> <List Type="Disc"> <ListItem>Search engines - 71% </ListItem> <ListItem>Personal recommendations - 67% </ListItem> <ListItem>Retailer's websites - 57% </ListItem> <ListItem>Price comparison websites - 56% </ListItem> <ListItem>Online reviews by experts - 50% </ListItem> </List> <Paragraph>The study indicates that the amount of information available on the web makes it more likely that customers will switch brands - 42% of consumers have switched between firms as a result. </Paragraph> <Paragraph>Brands still have a lot of influence though - 80% said they preferredto buy online from brands and retailers they were familiar with. </Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>The research also delved into other influences on purchase decisions, with some interesting results:</Emphasis> </Paragraph> <List Type="Disc"> <ListItem>Trust in the website's abilty to keep details safe - 88% </ListItem> <ListItem>Delivery prices being clear - 87% </ListItem> <ListItem>Usability of the website - 85% </ListItem> <ListItem>Ability to check order status - 78% </ListItem> <ListItem>Being able to take products back to offline store - 66% </ListItem> <ListItem>Ability to access customer reviews - 48% </ListItem> </List> <Paragraph>As for advertising, 51% of consumers said they would pay more attention to an ad on a site they trusted.</Paragraph> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>Further reading:</Emphasis> <LineBreak /> <Link URL="/blog/1461-consumers-who-research-online-spend-more-offline-report" Window="New">Consumers who research online spend more offline - report</Link> </Paragraph> </FormattedContent> 2007-07-13T11:22:00+01:00 0 1 econsultancy_xml <p> <strong>Brands are still an important influence on online consumers, according to a new study by AOL and the Henley Centre.</strong> </p> <p>However, <a href="http://www.aolbrandnewworld.co.uk/AOL_Brand_New_World.pdf">the research</a> also asserts that customers are becoming less loyal to brands as a result of their online experience. </p> <FormattedContent xmlns="http://www.e-consultancy.com/schema/formattedContent/"> <Paragraph> <Emphasis>Brands are still an important influence on online consumers, according to a new study by AOL and the Henley Centre.</Emphasis> </Paragraph> <Paragraph>However, <Link URL="http://www.aolbrandnewworld.co.uk/AOL_Brand_New_World.pdf" Window="New">the research</Link> also asserts that customers are becoming less loyal to brands as a result of their online experience. </Paragraph> </FormattedContent> false 1499 363798 Brands are still important online - study false 2007-07-13T14:00:00+01:00 brands-are-still-important-online-study 2009-04-28T22:54:04+01:00 2009-04-28T22:54:04+01:00 181