Forum Moderators: buckworks
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?
3. They've seen the exact same product elsewhere for less - ok that's a reasonable one.
ROFLOL.
Knowing all that you know.
Would you buy from your site?
And why?
I think it looks professional - therefore I believe that the 'people behind it' are also professional which gives me confidence when I part with my money.
The prices are good - they reflect those that a quality merchant would ask for a quality product, not a cheap-skate fly-by-night retailer who might not be around to fulfil an order.
The usability is good, it's easy to find stuff, there's a search facility if you're looking for something specific.
There is an offer of free delivery in the Uk if you buy over a certain amount.
Shipping is claimed to be speedy.
What I'm wondering is why visitors are coming to the site and not staying. It's not as if they're clicking on half a dozen things and not finding what they want because I've got a site structure problem.
I'm sure your page is professional, but is it user friendly? Does is have user appeal?
Are you getting good UK traffic, or are most of your one hit wonders from across the pond?
I don't think the price is hurting you, unless the difference is significant. Our competition is cheap, we emphasize a quality widget.
Maybe you're lacking a call to action. 'Buy Now and Save', 'Compare our Price and Quality' and similar phrases might help. Maybe it could be a link to more information. Something on your page should get the visitor to make one more click. Remember, you've got about 3 seconds to make the first impression.
1. The costumers find their products on your website or not.
2. The costumers gettin help on your web's navigation
I don't thik that the way your web looks have significant point to visitors to keep them stay on your web, coz most people search for products only, not much on wasting time by surfing junk web
What I'm wondering is why visitors are coming to the site ...
Some people are just looking for information about a certain product. Did you check your server logs for the keyphrases these visitors use? Maybe they are up to something that you haven't discoved yet and therefore don't offer.
A high number are taken straight to a product page which is often very relevant to the search term used (I follow these up myself by using the same link).
A large number are taken to a product category with a variety of products relevant to the search term.
And then they are gone. No comparisons made or clicking on a couple of products for more info or a bigger picture if the search term is general, which is what I find bizarre.
Say if you'd searched for baby widget and you'd been taken straight to a page with a product on it. If it's not one you like wouldn't you first click on the category "More baby widgets" to see others in the range before going to a different site?
I mean would you?
Give it a try. Maybe it works for you as well.
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.
If they land on a widget page and price is mentioned in pounds and euros .. that would give it away more or less.
100 a day, 1000 a day it doesn't make any difference as the same situation is repeated day on day.
What I was wanting to find out from people's experiences is what is the killer converter/stickiness factor to make these guys who are poking their head around the door to coming in and browsing.
What I felt was that product, price, trust were the initial factors that would determine whether people stayed, browsed and bought, or simply went away.
Majority of surfers are USA based = price in $USD (offering a conversion calculator for money)
Many have a question even over teh simplest of products = Put an email link under teh description and a subject line with teh product ref already in.
Delivery worries = Put in the description we ship world wide (or not)
Surfers dont like, pages that are slow to down load = optimise images and your page views go sky high.
Surfers dont like, only having paypal as the ONLY payment option.
Then theres site design.... Is it clean with danceing GIF's? Or pop ups or or or or.....
Stcky me your url.
