webdevfv - 10:31 am on Sep 12, 2005 (gmt 0)

Hi all

I'm running an online shop. I'm getting what appears to be good quality traffic, i.e. product searches from google, yahoo and msn relevant to what I sell, as well as other traffic.

Unfortunately, most traffic doesn't stay around for anything other than the first hit. Converting the sale is one thing but perhaps I need to be concentrating on a middle stage in getting the user to actually browse the site with a view to then getting a sale.

I've identified the factors below - any advice would be welcome.

1. They don't like the product on the page they landed on - all products are part of a category(ies), why aren't they clicking on the reasonably prominent category link to look for similar products?

2. They instantly realise that we only ship to UK and Europe so it rules them out of a purchase - but they'd need to click on our delivery link to find that out which they don't do.

3. They've seen the exact same product elsewhere for less - ok that's a reasonable one.

4. They don't like the look of my site - it gives them the wrong feel. Hmmm, I'd say it was well designed and I've had customer feedback that's always been positive.

5. Perhaps customers are looking for a kitemark or industry award or sign of trustworthyness. I don't have one, but only because there are so many and if that's confusing for me then what must it be like for the consumer. Is this a must have and which ones would you recommend?