Optimal number of products in grid

[defanjos]

I have a site that displays products in a grid 3 across and sometimes over 10 down, my question is, should I have only 6 or 9 products per page, and do paging?

I've read in a few books that if you present visitors with too many choices, they tend not to buy.

Does anyone have any experience with testing different number of products per page.

thanks in advance

[CPC_Andrew]

I don't have any experience with testing but I believe the premise of those books is accurate in theory. If I'm presented with too many options on product pages I tend to be overwhelmed and don't buy.

[Novus]

My personal preference is for 12. I think if you have to scroll more than 3 times while browsing your site could be better designed.

It very much depends on the format/design of your site, the products you sell and your target audience.

[RhinoFish]

some things (think area rugs), the shopper wants to see a bunch.

other things (think coffee makers), the shopper wants a reasonable range of choices.

in any case, add some sort of "keep on top" / "mark as favorite" feature so shoppers can remember their 'likes' as they browse.

[rocknbil]

Depends on the size of your images, with small thumbs 15 - 20. My rule of thumb is 1.5 "average" screens deep (scroll.) But in any case - LET YOUR USERS DECIDE. :-) Have a per page functionality somewhere and let them adjust it. People do use this.

[Planet13]

But in any case - LET YOUR USERS DECIDE. :-)

Test this out, but I am not sure I would agree with rocknbil on this.

I would prefer, if at all possible, to do A/B testing with a set number of images per page, and then see which format performs better.

I tend to think it has LESS to do with the amount of scrolling one has to do and MORE to do with the amount of choices a visitor has to make when on a screen. Also, I would be sure to put the best performing / best ROI products at the top of the category page.