The Fast Lane

Discover the world of AI-driven shopping optimization and fast-track your way to increased conversion rates, AOV, and customer loyalty. Explore expert insights on e-commerce personalization, merchandising, site search, and more.

Search & discovery 7 Crucial Site Search Statistics to Improve Customer Experience Thanks to eCommerce giants like Amazon, we've gotten used to the convenience of quickly finding exactly what we're looking for. And now, we expect the same seamless experience from pretty much every online store we visit. That's why your site search should be optimized to connect shoppers with the product they're looking for as quickly as possible. But what benchmarks should you use to take action? Statistics can be a helpful way to get a "temperature check" on the industry, what customers want, and how you can improve. Let's look at the most crucial site search statistics and how you can use them to improve your store's customer experience. 1. 69% of shoppers use the search bar immediately after visiting an online store Site search often sets the tone for a customer's experience with your brand and site as a whole. Make sure it’s easily visible and accessible on every page of your website. This could mean placing it in the header or using a floating search bar that moves with the page. Implement a smart search function that understands your customer's natural language, detects typos, and offers them relevant results. 2. 80% of shoppers will leave a website in frustration if the search performs poorly Today's consumer expects a simple, smooth, and streamlined experience on eCommerce websites. They have little tolerance for glitches and poor experiences, especially when there's so much competition. Safeguard your customer's search experience by incorporating advanced filters that solve a customer's problem immediately and satisfy their intent. Satya Jewelry does this with a specialized filtering system, which gives customers both visual and informational results to help them find what they need quickly. 3. 99% of brands claim they show relevant results, but 69% of shoppers disagree While the vast majority of brands think that their site search doesn't need any work, the majority of consumers beg to differ. That's why it's critical to tap into your customers' sentiments to see how you're really doing. AI-led solutions can process slang phrases and natural language to offer accurate search results. For example, Steve Madden doubled their conversions by providing a detailed search function that understood what a shopper was trying to find. 4. 56% of shoppers said they're more likely to keep shopping if they see suggested or alternative products instead of "no results found." If you don't have exactly what your customers are looking for, try recommending other products. This dramatically increases their chances of staying on your site. eCommerce heavyweights like eBay and Amazon rely on related suggestions to keep business flowing. » Here's how to troubleshoot your no search results found page 5. 70% of shoppers are more likely to buy if the search results are personalized Implementing personalization into your search results can increase the chances of delivering results that the shopper is genuinely interested in buying. When customers feel understood and valued through personalized experiences, they’re likely to stick around and buy more. One way to do this is by customizing the search dropdown menu. This menu can show results based on what the customer has liked or bought in the past. By using both the current search and what we know about the customer, we can help them find what they’re looking for faster. 6. 76% of brands don't have error tolerance features like typo detection and synonym recognition. Say a shopper visits an online shoe designer, types in "snekers" instead of "sneakers," and is served a "no results found" page. This would obviously be a frustrating experience—there's no way a shoe store doesn't sell sneakers. Error tolerance compensates for issues like misspellings and synonyms (for example, "scrunchie" instead of "hair tie") to ensure that shoppers see correct, relevant results, even if their queries don't match your catalog verbatim. 7. Just 17% of brands are tracking performance and gathering customer intelligence from their site search. Your site search data is a goldmine of information that can help you better understand your customers, their wants, and how they behave. If you're not regularly analyzing that data and measuring your performance, you're likely missing out on massive opportunities to personalize and improve your customer experience. » Here are more tips to improve the customer experience on your site. The Impact of Site Search on eCommerce Strong site search is the equivalent of a knowledgeable employee in a brick-and-mortar store. They know exactly how to answer customer questions, which products to lead them to, and where to find them in store. When your search is smooth and seamless, customers can be in and out in a few clicks. However, it's not always easy, and customers often face challenges when searching for products. This includes: Irrelevant search resultsMisspellings or typos that lead to "no results found"Filters and sorting options that are too complex or not detailed enoughOut-of-stock inventoryPoor user-friendlinessMobile incompatibility issues To prevent these problems from getting in the way of your store's performance, pay attention to the customer experience and fix issues as they come up. Site Search Best Practices and Optimization From making your search bar easily accessible, to personalizing search results, every detail in the search experience matters. The following list provides specific, actionable steps you can take to optimize your site’s search feature. Make your search bar easy to find: Position it in a consistent and prominent location on all pages, such as the header, or as a floating element that moves with the page.Implement autocomplete and suggestions: Add these features to your search bar to predict and complete the user’s query, reducing errors and speeding up the search process.Provide filters and sorting options: Include options like price, brand, type, size, color to help users narrow down their search results and find what they’re looking for faster.Recognize synonyms: Ensure your search feature understands and responds to synonyms (like “blouse” for “shirt”) to provide relevant results.Optimize keywords: Use a variety of relevant keywords in your product listings to catch different user queries and show the closest matches.Enrich product data: Include detailed descriptions, product details, specs, and high-quality images in your listings to improve search matches and help customers make informed purchase decisions.Review search analytics regularly: Keep an eye on your analytics to identify patterns and gain insights that can inform your ongoing strategy. » Want to try Shopify predictive search? Start here. Elevate Your eCommerce Strategy With Data-Driven Site Search Given how quickly customers may abandon their cart if they can't find what they're searching for in your eCommerce store, site search plays a massive role in generating revenue. A well-optimized site search will connect customers with the products they're looking for as quickly as possible. This can increase conversion, create better user experiences, and garner more satisfied customers. It's key then to find the right search tools to give you features like autocomplete, advanced filtering, and data to keep improving user experience.

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Personalization Landing Page Personalization: A Simple Guide First impressions matter. Your landing page is the first encounter customers have with your eCommerce store. It’s not just about telling them what you do but also personalizing their experience with your brand. Today, personalization is no longer a nice to have. In fact, about 70% of your customers anticipate personalized experiences when shopping online. Let’s explore the essentials of eCommerce landing page personalization, how to use data effectively, and what the challenges of landing page personalization can be. Meet the Expert Jameela Ghann is a seasoned online store owner with over a decade of eCommerce experience. Apart from running Alora Boutique, she's also the marketing manager for Fera Product Reviews. What Is eCommerce Personalization? eCommerce personalization is the practice of creating tailored shopping experiences for each user. It’s a comprehensive approach that enhances the online shopping experience. And it’s not just about product recommendations like “Customers who purchased this also bought” or “Similar products you might like.” Personalization extends to tailored banners, gender-specific product displays, social proof messages about recent purchases, localized delivery information, and even personalized pricing. Some companies have gone to great lengths to personalize outbound messaging through channels like emails and SMS. But how does this extend to landing pages? » Explore Fast Simon's personalization solution to get started The Essentials of Effective Landing Page Personalization Landing pages, primarily designed to attract new visitors or ‘acquisition traffic’, offer limited user data beyond technical details like device, OS, location, and traffic source. Given these constraints, landing page optimization focuses on several key areas. 1. Focus on the Conversion Funnel Landing pages are streamlined to guide users through a conversion funnel. The primary goal is to prompt users to take specific actions, such as clicking, filling out forms, or engaging with content. At this stage, it's crucial to rely on technical information about users because it will increase their chances of conversion. For example: Referral source If you take the user's referral source (e.g., social media, search engine) into consideration, you can tailor the landing page's content to match their context. Say the user clicked on a Facebook ad, you can highlight the ad's message or offer on the landing page to maintain consistency and relevance.Loading time You can make lighter versions of your landing page available to account for users with slow internet connections. This will help to reduce bounce rates because the lighter version will load faster. 2. Tailor for Language and Region For global outreach, consider tailoring landing pages to different languages and regions. This approach acknowledges the diverse user base you might attract, enhancing the user experience and engagement. Even CTAs may need customization for varying audiences. 3. Device-Specific Optimization You may have to create separate landing page versions for different devices, such as mobile vs. desktop. Factors like different screen sizes, touchscreen vs cursor navigation, and website responsiveness come into play. Plus, users may switch between devices, meaning the transition between landing page versions should be seamless. » Interested in mobile? Follow these best practices to optimize your website for mobile Using Data for Landing Page Personalization: A Short Case Study In a recent case with one of our clients, we implemented a smart strategy for their landing page. Rather than presenting a generic "one-size-fits-all" approach, we tailored the landing page to showcase different product images based on the user's device (iOS or Android). The result? A significant boost in sales, specifically a 10% increase, highlighting the power of personalized landing pages in driving conversions. There are many ways you can use data to inform how you display personalized content to your users. To drive sales for a site specializing in specific products, we adopted a strategic approach: Higher-priced products: We showcased higher-priced products, focusing on specific offerings that aligned with the site's niche.Dynamic keyword-based headers: Using Google Ads data, we dynamically adjusted the landing page header based on the user’s search keywords. This ensured immediate relevance. For example, a user searching for “cheap trousers” would see a header promoting “Cheap Trousers” alongside personalized product listings.Personalized content and delivery: We ensured content on the landing page was dynamically generated to match user intent, offering various product categories and delivery conditions customized to different deals.Continuous A/B testing: Crucially, we recommend ongoing A/B testing to refine strategies. We tested different scenarios and rigorously analyzed the results. We kept successful approaches and adjusted unsuccessful ones. Through this iterative process of dynamic personalization and continuous A/B testing, we saw a 10% groth in sales. Challenges of Landing Page Personalization Privacy The privacy landscape is intricate, with several crucial aspects to consider when implementing personalization strategies. Let's break it down: Avoid hyper-personalization: Hyper-personalization—providing an exceptionally personalized experience to users based on preferences—can feel intrusive because it includes personalizing all touchpoints from products and services to content. Striking the right balance between data privacy and personalization is important.Comply with privacy regulations: Different countries have varying privacy regulations (GDPR for Europe and CCPA for Canada), and it's imperative to adhere to these laws to avoid legal complications.Get behind the cookieless future: As we move towards a cookieless future, user data collection will require explicit consent or zero-party data. Offering value in return can encourage users to share data.Balance user data and benefits: When requesting user data, provide tangible benefits in return. This trade-off is crucial for maintaining trust and enabling effective personalization.Anonymous personalization: Consider anonymous personalization, which focuses on in-session behavior without carrying data over to subsequent sessions. This approach complies with various privacy regulations and allows for data collection within a single session. Cost Effective personalization may involve costs, but it’s an investment that can yield significant returns. Maintaining a healthy balance is key, and this can be achieved through A/B testing and diligent ROI tracking. Fortunately, there’s a personalization solution to fit almost any budget. Some options, especially for platforms like Shopify, offer free entry points, such as the first 100 users or 1000 API calls at no cost. These trial periods can be used to assess their effectiveness, build hypotheses, and determine ROI before committing. Scalability Scalability in personalization typically leans towards expansion, not downsizing. Larger companies often find it easier to personalize user experiences: More data: Bigger companies have access to extensive data, enabling sophisticated personalization strategies.Segmentation: They can create numerous customer segments, catering to specific user groups. eCommerce Landing Page Personalization: Tailor Shopping Experiences for Big Results eCommerce landing page personalization is a necessity to meet the growing demand for tailored online experiences. To optimize landing pages, focus on the conversion funnel, cater to language and region, and adapt for different devices. Remember that data-driven personalization can help you boost sales, ultimately setting your business apart, increasing conversions, and driving substantial growth. » Explore other places you can use personalization on your eCommerce store

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Personalization Improve Customer Experience With AI: Personalization, Automation, & More AI is transforming the customer journey, ushering in a new era of efficiency and personalization. Over half of all eCommerce companies are already using AI to smooth out their customer care, sales, and marketing operations—with very positive results. Let's delve into how AI can help you improve your customers' experience through personalization, automation and more. Meet the Expert Jameela Ghann has over 10 years of eCommerce experience. She runs a successful online store, Alora Boutique, and is the marketing manager for Fera Product Reviews. Using AI to Improve the Overall Customer Experience AI can enhance the overall customer journey by really reducing the friction customers may experience while shopping online. There are two main pain points AI should solve for your online shoppers: Provide support when they need itStreamline all the processes in the customer journey Nothing can make a customer leave your store quicker than getting frustrated. This includes slow loading times, confusing page layouts, ineffective search bars, getting spammed with marketing material, poor customer service, and no clear contact information. AI can help you optimize all of these aspects to make sure your customers receive timely assistance and truly feel cared about at every touchpoint. Let's consider specific aspects and examples you can apply to your own eCommerce business. 1. Provide Efficient Customer Service One of the first things you should automate is customer service because it's so time and human capital intensive. Your customers expect only the best service from you. This means quick responses, accurate feedback, and constant availability. But to provide this manually is expensive and impractical. Instead, AI can automate many customer service tasks, especially if they're repetitive. This means: You can save up to 30% in customer service costs.You're free to allocate your manpower to other business activities. Your customers receive quicker responses, increasing their satisfaction. Strike Up a Conversation Through Chatbots The chatbot market is expected to reach $1.25 billion in 2025. Plus, online retail is the one industry where consumers are comfortable to interact with chatbots. Investing in a chatbot can help you improve customers' experience by: Being available all the time: AI effortlessly conquers the time zone dilemma and can address customer queries 24/7.Eliminating waiting periods: As a human, you can address only one customer query at a time. A chatbot can process multiple requests simultaneously. Giving accurate and instant responses: A chatbot provides answers in real-time and removes instances of human error.Offering multi-lingual support: 65% of your shoppers prefer communicating in their own language, a service a chatbot can easily provide. Worried about a chatbot being too impersonal or faceless?You can still automate customer service processes without losing the human touch. By combining natural language processing (NLP) with customer data, you can give each customer a personalized experience. At Fast Simon, our chatbot can put you in contact with an account specialist directly. No phone call—start chatting immediately or book a time that suits you. 2. Make Your Checkout Process as Convenient as Possible The average global shopping cart abandonment rate is 70%. One of the top reasons for this is the checkout process takes too long. People are "lazy" consumers. They want convenience. They just want to buy things and have it delivered to their door in two days. AI can help you resolve this dreaded cart abandonment issue. Autofill is an excellent AI feature that auto-populates forms with information. This saves your customer effort, especially if it's things like filling in a delivery address, credit card information, or contact details. You can also personalize your customers' checkout by suggesting relevant upsells and cross-sells. This way, your customers may discover new products and increase their average order value. Princess Polly clearly labels their product recommendations. The "Quick Add" function lets you add any of these products without leaving your current screen. Plus, there's also an "Express Checkout" option that lets you pay directly with your Shop Pay, Amazon, or PayPal accounts—meaning you don't have to create an account and add all of your information manually. 3. Personalize Your Product Recommendations AI's prowess lies in its ability to analyze customer behavior and predict preferences, making it the ideal tool to personalize product recommendations. This anticipatory approach not only enhances the customer experience but also boosts the likelihood of conversions. Over 50% of your customers are more likely to buy if they see personalized content. We've already discussed adding personalized product recommendations to the checkout process. Another approach is behavior-based triggers. AI can send personalized pop-ups to your customers. This can be based on: Location: "250 people from your city just bought [x]"Product: "10 people just added [x] to their basket" or "A customer just bought [x] with [a related product]" Argos adds pop-ups on their product pages. These can range from how many customers have viewed the product to how often it was purchased in the last 24 hours. 4. Don't Underestimate Omnichannel Personalization Collect data from a lot of different channels to create a cohesive customer profile. This will help you give customers a personalized experience at every touchpoint. Creating a unified customer experience is important. Remember, your customers don't just interact with you on your store, but through social media, email, and apps too. To make sure they receive a consistent, personalized experience on each channel, you should invest in omnichannel personalization. While it may sound intimidating to juggle all of that data, AI can help you manage omnichannel personalization: Data collection and analysis AI can help you collect and analyze customer data so you can efficiently segment your audience according to their preferences and behavior.Predictive analysis Based on your data and segments, AI can predict shopping behavior. This allows you to make personalized recommendations and prepare for any surges or new trends.Real-time personalization AI can interact with customers in real-time and deliver in-the-moment personalized content. Plus, by combining AI with NLP, it can understand customer feedback and help you refine your personalization strategies.Consistency across all channels AI helps maintain consistency in messaging and branding across various channels by automatically adapting content to fit the specific context of each channel. Challenges and Ethical Considerations Regarding AI While AI-powered customer service tools bring immense benefits, they also have challenges: Integration with your existing systems is crucial for your operations to run smoothly. Bias in algorithms can occur which means you're excluding one or more segments from your target audience. Addressing privacy and ethical concerns is paramount. You have to protect your customers' data and be transparent about how you collect, store, and use it. Get in the AI Fast Lane to Improve Customer Experience In the ever-evolving landscape of eCommerce, AI emerges as a pivotal force that reshapes the customer journey. From personalized recommendations to efficient customer service and beyond, AI paves the way for a future where seamless experiences are the norm. By harnessing AI's potential and addressing its challenges responsibly, you can unlock the power of enhanced customer journeys in the digital realm.

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Personalization AI-Based Personalization: The Future of eCommerce Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way eCommerce businesses connect with their customers. An estimated 70% of eCommerce decision makers believe AI will improve their personalization efforts. At the heart of this transformation is AI's ability to collect and process customer data, enabling you to deliver personalized experiences to your customers. Below, we explore how AI-based personalization is changing the future of eCommerce by assimilating into the entire customer journey: Overview of the AI personalization processHow AI-based personalization affects customers' experience How AI personalizes the post-purchase journey for customers and merchantsOvercoming AI-based personalization challenges for small businessesThe importance of knowing your customers Meet the Expert: Jameela Ghann is an eCommerce expert with over a decade of experience. Apart from running Alora Boutique, she's also the marketing manager for Fera Product Reviews. Overview of the AI Personalization Process AI's prowess lies in its ability to learn from data. So, moving from data collection to a personalized experience involves several key steps: Data Collection Get started by collecting data from diverse sources such as customer interactions, purchase history, and browsing behavior. These data points offer invaluable insights into customer preferences and behaviors.Data Transformation This raw data is then transformed into a format that AI models can understand. This involves structuring and cleaning the data to ensure its usability.Pattern Recognition AI systems use machine learning techniques, including deep learning, to recognize patterns within the transformed data. This step is vital for understanding customer preferences and predicting future actions.Personalized Recommendations Armed with patterns and insights, AI systems generate personalized recommendations. These suggestions are then delivered through various touchpoints like websites, email campaigns, pop-ups, and even chatbots. Pro tip: Prioritize your customers' data privacy. They share personal information with you to receive a personalized experience, so it's important to maintain transparency and trust. How AI-Based Personalization Affects Customers' Experience AI can help customers find what they want, when they want it. It's going to give higher relevance to content and products that align with their preferences. AI-based personalization goes beyond being a trendy buzzword. Once implemented, it can affect your customers' shopping experience from product discovery to checkout. Enhanced Product Discovery In an era where time is of the essence, AI can help customers find products quickly. By analyzing their preferences and behaviors, AI showcases relevant products and content, streamlining the discovery process.Hyper-Relevant Content AI can distinguish between various customer preferences. By enhancing this with natural language search, you can deliver highly relevant content and products. For instance, a skincare enthusiast searching for "oil-free products" can also see makeup options suitable for oily skin in addition to lotions.Reducing Bounce Rates AI-curated content increases engagement, reducing bounce rates in turn. When customers find what they're looking for effortlessly, they're more likely to stay on your website and explore further. Suppose you sell supplements online. A customer visits your online store, but doesn't know what kind of supplements they need. So not knowing where to start, they type "I'm tired all the time" into the search bar. AI interprets this query and comes up with a blog post instead of a product. The blog post recommends products that can help the customer beat their fatigue and this eventually leads to a sale. Because AI was able to combine natural language and federated search, it delivered personalized, relevant search results. » Here's how to implement natural language search and federated search on your eCommerce store How AI Personalizes the Post-Purchase Journey for Customers and Merchants AI's influence extends beyond the initial purchase. It can enhance the post-purchase experience for both you and your customers. Moderate Product Reviews Merchant: AI-powered systems can moderate reviews, ensuring harmful or inappropriate content doesn't make it to your website. This reduces the workload on your customer support teams and maintains a positive online environment.Customer: Based on its customer data analysis, AI can show customers relevant product reviews only to help them make their buying decisions. Track Orders in Real Time Merchant: AI can automate the order-tracking process, making it less admin-intensive for you. Plus, the transparency your customers will receive as a result enhances their trust and satisfaction.Customer: Your customers can check on the progress of their orders whenever they want to. AI updates order statuses and estimated delivery times instantly, so your customers consistently receive up-to-date information about their orders. Pro tip: When customers receive their orders, make sure to include a personalized message thanking them for their support. Manage Inventory and Customer Support Merchant: AI is especially useful for subscription-based businesses, because it can predict when customers might need to reorder. In turn, you can manage your supply chain and inventory efficiently to meet the predicted demands. As a supporting feature, AI-powered chatbots can help streamline your customer support services by automatically addressing core questions your customers may have.Customer: Your customers can receive timely reminders to re-order their favorite items based on purchasing history. Plus, AI can provide immediate support for troubleshooting inquiries, reducing response times and improving overall satisfaction. Overcoming AI-based Personalization Challenges for Small Businesses I think AI is a big trend and everybody wants to jump on it. So, as a small business, it's important to ask whether investing in AI will actually solve a problem and bring value to your customer, or are you just chasing it? While the benefits of AI-based personalization are evident, smaller eCommerce businesses might face challenges in implementation. Fortunately, there are simple strategies you can try to overcome these. Firstly, robust AI solutions can be expensive and affordable options can have limited functionality. Plus, you might not need all the functionalities of an advanced AI solution, so you end up paying for something you don't use. We recommend starting small with a specific AI application. This will be more cost-effective and can ease you into using AI-powered applications if it's unfamiliar to you. Chatbots are an excellent beginner option. Secondly, you may have limited data and this can hinder AI's effectiveness. So, make sure you collect quality data and structure it well. This will help an AI system to analyze your data effectively. The Importance of Knowing Your Customers AI-based personalization doesn't mean replacing the human personal touch completely. While AI can definitely enhance your personalized offerings, it shouldn't do everything from start to finish. As human beings, you must have your ear to the streets, so to speak. You, not AI, must understand your customer's journey and who they are so that you can leverage AI as a tool to give personalized recommendations. Truly understanding your customer means you'll know important factors like not all shoppers want AI-based personalization on their customer journey. An estimated 43% of the Baby Boomer generation is against AI personalization. In comparison, only 15% of Gen Z feel the same way. So, your AI and personalization strategies will differ, depending on whether your target audience consists mostly of Baby Boomers or Gen Z. » You can fine-tune your personalization strategies with these solutions Adapting and Thriving in an Evolving Landscape To stay ahead of the evolving AI landscape, eCommerce businesses should: Educate themselves: Continuous learning about AI trends and advancements in your industry is crucial.Embrace flexibility: Be open to adapting AI for various purposes, keeping an eye on emerging opportunities.Prioritize customer experience: The ultimate goal of AI is to enhance your customers' experience, so make sure any AI implementations align with customer needs and preferences. AI's ability to collect, process, and use customer data for personalized suggestions is transforming the eCommerce landscape. By understanding and harnessing this power, you can: Create exceptional customer experiencesDrive engagementStay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven world As AI continues to evolve, businesses that prioritize customer-centric AI strategies will undoubtedly reap the rewards of enhanced customer loyalty and business growth. » AI isn't just limited to personalization: Explore other benefits of AI in eCommerce

Merchandising Merchandising in eCommerce: 4 Best Use Cases for eCommerce Stores in 2023 Effective merchandising is the linchpin for any business looking to thrive in eCommerce. This strategic art involves meticulously planning, presenting, and promoting your products for the express purpose of turbocharging your sales. But how can merchandising reshape your eCommerce sales strategy as a whole? Buckle up because we're about to dive deep into eCommerce merchandising and uncover the best use cases for growing your eCommerce store. Meet the Expert Jameela Ghann is a seasoned online store owner with over a decade of eCommerce experience. Apart from running Alora Boutique, she's also the marketing manager for Fera Product Reviews. 1. Cross-selling and Upselling While closely related, there is a difference between cross-selling and upselling: Cross-selling: You encourage a customer to buy additional products that complement what the customer is already buying.Upselling: You encourage a customer to a more expensive or upgraded version of the product they're buying. As a dynamic duo, cross-selling and upselling are powerful tools in merchandising because they can boost sales and improve customer satisfaction, especially if your product recommendations are personalized. Princess Polly, an online fashion store, promotes upselling at two touchpoints: product pages and checkout pages. By suggesting customers "Complete the Look" on product pages, Princess Polly encourages their customers to keep on shopping, hopefully adding more products to their cart. By encouraging "The Perfect Addition" on checkout pages, Princess Polly aim to capitalize on impulse buying because the customer is at the point of purchase. The name of your cross-selling and upselling sections should be enticing and resonate with your customers. Popular choices include:Frequently bought togetherShop the collectionYou may also likeTop picks » Explore further how and why to use eCommerce upsell and cross-sell recommendations 2. Product Bundles Product bundling is when you sell multiple items together as a package deal, instead of letting customers buy the items individually. This has two main advantages: Increased AOV: Your average order value (AOV) can increase because customers are buying more items in a single purchase. This in turn can increase your revenue.Product management: You can sell slower-moving items with higher margin items, meaning you won't end up with deadstock. Spiceology, a premium spice and herb manufacturer and seller, offers a bundle deal on pickling spices. The product description clearly communicates why this is an effective bundle, plus it emphasizes value for money through the 15% off button and the slashed price. » Try one of these product bundling strategies for merchandising success 3. Seasonal Merchandising Seasonal merchandising means aligning your product offerings with the seasons and holidays. This merchandising strategy allows you to capitalize on seasonal demand, meaning your products match the specific needs and preferences of your customers during that season. Plus, you can incentivize customers by creating a sense of urgency. Seasonal items tend to be available for a limited time only, making customers more likely to buy because they know the products won't be available year-round. Steve Madden, the global fashion brand, is running a fall promotion to match the season. Once the season has passed, the discount will also fall away. This encourages shoppers to stock up their fall wardrobe now to make the most of the reduced prices. » Improve your seasonal merchandising efforts with these tips 4. Showcasing Social Proof You increase your credibility when you showcase real feedback from real customers on your eCommerce store. This is particularly effective in convincing first-time buyers you're trustworthy because seeing other successful transactions reduces their purchase anxiety. Social proof includes: User-generated content ReviewsTestimonials Plus, social proof is very versatile. You don't have to restrict it to your store—you can also incorporate it into your email marketing and social media activities. Satya Jewelry showcases customer reviews on product pages including star ratings, verified buyer statuses, and their replies to the review. This shows their reviews are transparent and they value their customers' opinions. Why eCommerce Merchandising Matters Enhanced shopping experience: Effective merchandising enhances the overall shopping experience of your customers. It makes products easier to discover, helping shoppers quickly find what they're looking for.Boosted sales: Just as a captivating window display draws people into a physical store, a well-structured homepage and product layout can entice online visitors to explore further. Hence, improved product visibility translates into increased sales.Conversion rate optimization (CRO): Proper merchandising can also contribute to better conversion rates. When products are thoughtfully presented, visitors are more likely to make a purchase and stick around to see more.Inventory management: Merchandising enables you to strategically manage inventory, push slow-moving products, and optimize your stock effectively. Let eCommerce Merchandising Deliver Fast Results Effective merchandising is not just a strategy—it's the cornerstone of success in eCommerce. It involves meticulous planning, presenting, and promoting your products to supercharge your sales. As we've explored some of the best use cases for growing your eCommerce store, it becomes evident that merchandising isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, it's a dynamic set of strategies that can reshape your eCommerce sales strategy in meaningful ways, ultimately leading to growth and success in the competitive world of online retail. » Need a merchandising partner? Discover how Fast Simon's merchandising solution can help

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Merchandising History of Merchandising: How Strategies Have Changed When you think of merchandising, you probably think of a modern-day storefront that's online or brick-and-mortar. But what many people don't realize is that the history of merchandising goes back to ancient times. Even in the cradle of civilization, bustling bazaars and vibrant trade routes depended on core merchandising principles to sell and exchange goods. Below, we explore the history of merchandising and how strategies have changed through 3 main periods: Ancient roots of merchandisingGolden age of brick-and-mortar retailDigital revolution and eCommerce merchandising Ancient Roots of Merchandising Merchandising and trade go hand in hand—and trade can be traced back to the earliest human civilizations, like Mesopotamia and Egypt. These ancient cultures laid the foundation for commerce and trade practices that continue to shape and influence merchandising as we know it today. Just picture it: lively marketplace scenes that go on for miles. Packed bazaars adorned with exotic goods. Buzzing trade routes connecting villagers from distant lands. In these environments, sellers used different merchandising strategies to make sure their businesses were noticed and patronized: Visual display: Merchants skillfully displayed their wares, enticing customers with colorful textiles, fragrant spices, and precious metals.Product demonstrations: Merchants often demonstrated the quality and usefulness of their wares to prospective buyers. For example, they might showcase the durability of a tool.Bartering and haggling: Buyers and sellers engaged in lively interactions and negotiations until a mutually agreeable exchange was reached. Golden Age of Brick-and-Mortar Retail Fast forwarding through the medieval period, Renaissance, and Industrial Revolution gave rise to trade fairs, printed materials, mass production, and department stores. The result of these advancements is the 20th century, when brick-and-mortar retail was at its high point. Specialty stores, supermarkets, and grand shopping malls lured in shoppers with: Impeccable visual displaysCaptivating store layoutsUnforgettable in-store promotions From the bright lights and shiny floors of department stores to the cozy atmosphere of mom-and-pop shops, there was something for everyone. Shoppers loved to browse through aisles of merchandise, interact with friendly salespeople, and take home new purchases. Brick-and-mortar retailers understood the importance of creating a memorable shopping experience, and they went to great lengths to make sure that their customers felt special. The golden age of brick-and-mortar retail may be over, but the impact it left on our consumer culture still lives on. Up to 85% of US consumers are returning to in-store shopping to rekindle the physical shopping experience. What does this mean for online retailers?A bigger investment in omnichannel merchandising can help sellers to give their customers the right engagement at the right time. Seamless integration of online and offline shopping experiences is crucial and allows customers to move fluidly between various channels and touchpoints. » Explore more differences between eCommerce vs retail merchandising Digital Revolution and eCommerce Merchandising The digital revolution led to a massive shift in the retail industry, giving rise to the booming world of eCommerce. With the birth of online platforms, traditional brick-and-mortar stores faced new challenges and opportunities. Merchandising strategies swiftly adapted to the online landscape, leveraging technology to enhance customer experiences. This includes: Data analytics: A powerful tool that provides valuable insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and trends. Today's retailers harness this information to refine their merchandising approaches and create tailored shopping experiences for each customer.User-generated content (UGC): Reviews, ratings, and social media interactions influence purchasing decisions. Savvy retailers integrate UGC into their product displays and promotional campaigns, building trust and engaging with their customer base. The digital revolution disrupted traditional retail, but it also opened up new doors. Retailers can reach global audiences, operate 24/7, and leverage targeted marketing strategies. The boundaries between physical and digital worlds blurred, making way for concepts like click-and-collect and showrooming. » Need more merchandising guidance? Follow these eCommerce merchandising do's and don'ts Popular Merchandising Strategies We Still Use Today Upselling and cross-selling Upselling encourages customers to purchase a higher-priced item, while cross-selling suggests complementary products. In a physical store, a salesperson skillfully recommends a pricier version or additional products at the checkout counter. But in eCommerce, personalized recommendations and "Customers who bought this also bought [x]" sections take center stage.Product bundling Product bundling involves grouping related items together and selling them as a package at a discounted price. For example, a hardware store may bundle gardening tools, fertilizers, and seeds to entice gardening enthusiasts. Similarly, an online grocery store may offer a pantry essentials kit with snacks and certain dry, bottled, or canned staples.Personalization Personalization means customizing shopping experiences to match customers' preferences. In a physical store, salespeople can remember and suggest suitable products during future visits. In eCommerce, algorithms analyze customers' browsing and purchase history to deliver tailored product recommendations. Imagine an online bookstore suggesting books based on your favorite titles or preferred genres.Influencer marketing Influencer marketing involves collaborating with individuals who have a substantial public following and leveraging their reach to promote your brand. In traditional retail, a beauty store might partner with a local influencer and host a meet & greet to attract customers. In eCommerce, a cosmetics brand may partner with a beauty vlogger to promote products via Instagram or TikTok. The Future of Merchandising It's easy to live our day-to-day lives without realizing how deeply ingrained the history of merchandising is in the fabric of society. From ancient trading routes to the golden age of brick-and-mortar to the digital revolution, merchandising grows and morphs along with us. Merchandising practices have continuously adapted to meet changing consumer demands and technological advancements. It's critical to understand the history of merchandising if you truly want to inform effective strategies in the present and future retail landscape. » Keep an eye on these future merchandising trends to stay ahead of your competition

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Marketing 4 Ways Social Media Marketing Drives Consumer Behavior Social media marketing, or social commerce, has the potential to drive consumer behavior thanks to the growing number of active users. According to DataReportal, around 4.76 billion people worldwide use social media. By using the right social media channels, you can create an emotional connection with your customers to influence and encourage purchases and brand loyalty. To help you tap into this potential, here are four strategies you can try. 1. Make Consumers Aware of Your Brand Social media can help foster brand awareness and increase visibility across multiple platforms and through various online formats. However, the intense competition for attention can make it tough to get noticed. Some options include: Leverage Influencer Marketing Social media influencers can help boost brand exposure and promote your business. Try to identify influencers that match your niche audience and leverage their creativity and authenticity to grow your brand. For example, the fashion brand Princess Polly partners with influencers on Instagram to promote their products. By featuring the brand's products in curated looks and sharing them with their followers, these influencers can help increase Princess Polly's brand awareness and attract new customers. Launch Hashtag Campaigns Hashtags are another effective way to drive brand awareness via social media. Use a combination of popular, trend-based, and niche-based hashtags to maximize the visual discovery of your content. For instance, premiere shopping and lifestyle brand CURATEUR uses hashtags that can help create a brand identity that's easy to discover online. Ensuring your content is easy to find across platforms can help boost reach and sales. » Check out the top eCommerce apps to optimize customer experience Create Viral Content Creating viral content like videos or memes can generate significant buzz around your brand. When content is shared by thousands, if not millions, globally, it has the potential to increase brand exposure and recognition. BarkBox, a dog products subscription service, regularly shares animal-related memes on its social media pages, creating a strong brand identity and keeping its followers engaged. 2. Influence Consumers' Purchasing Decisions Social media can play a crucial role in swaying customers' preferences toward a particular product or brand. By offering product information and social proof, brands can create a more informed and confident buyer. Consider the following strategies: Display Customer Reviews & Ratings Potential customers can read real feedback from others who have already purchased the product. This can create a sense of trust and credibility and lead to increased conversion rates. For example, the handmade jewelry brand Made by Mary frequently features customer photos and reviews on its Instagram page, showcasing its products in a relatable way. Offer Exclusive Discounts Offering exclusive discounts or promo codes to social media followers can be a powerful motivator for purchase. By providing value to the audience, brands can increase engagement and loyalty. For instance, fashion brand Steve Madden uses Twitter to promote exclusive discount codes for its followers, creating a sense of urgency and excitement among them. » Looking to try AI? Learn how AI can improve conversion rates in eCommerce 3. Build Brand Loyalty Among Consumers Brand loyalty is a key driver of profitability. Customers who exhibit loyalty choose your products or services repeatedly and also advocate for your brand, often recommending it to others. Here are three strategies to help you build brand loyalty: Create Personalized Content Personalization can demonstrate an understanding of customers' unique needs and preferences. Brands can personalize content by collecting data, such as: DemographicsInterestsOnline browsing behaviors Stitch Fix, an online personal styling service, collects data on its customers' preferences, style, and fit and then uses it to provide personalized clothing recommendations and styling advice. This personalized experience helps build long-lasting customer relationships. » Find out why product recommendations need merchandising Reward Loyal Customers Offering exclusive discounts, early product access, or special promotions are some effective ways to show appreciation for loyalty. For example, Fragrance Buy, an online fragrance retailer, gives its loyal customers points ("sprays") for specific actions they complete, which can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. This gives customers a sense of exclusivity and encourages them to continue shopping with the brand. Increase Direct Online Engagement Social media engagement boosts loyalty by making customers feel valued and heard. Brands that respond to comments and feedback show that they care about their customers, fostering trust and appreciation in return. A great example is 401 Games. This game and toy brand offers helpful and friendly responses on Twitter when customers reach out. This can help boost sales as customers feel valued and informed. 4. Encourage User-Generated Content From Consumers User-generated content (UGC) can be highly effective as it adds authenticity and depth to a brand. When existing customers create content about a brand, they humanize it and provide real-world context for products and services. To encourage UGC, consider taking the following steps: Run Social Media Contests & Challenges These campaigns can encourage customers to share visuals of themselves using your products and create a buzz around your brand. Consider using branded hashtags for contests, as they can make it easy for customers to find and share your UGC. Energy drink brand V, for example, asked customers to show their transformation after sipping a V energy drink using the branded hashtag. The brand then featured some of the best UCG on its own Instagram account, highlighting the impact of its product on real people and encouraging others to try it. Share User-Generated Content on Your Own Channels This is a smart way to increase engagement and add social proof to your brand. Woolery, an online fiber arts brand, excels at this strategy. By sharing customer photos on its Instagram story, Woolery diversifies its content and increases engagement because it showcases real people's creations using its products. Plus, by adding these images to a pinned highlight reel, anyone can view it at any time. Get More Insights into Your Consumers' Behavior Using built-in social media tools and metrics, you can gather valuable data on customers to inform your marketing campaigns. Here are a few tactics to try: Analyze social media metrics to track engagement, reach, and other key performance indicators.Conduct surveys or polls on social media to gather feedback from customers.Leverage audience segmentation to create audience groups and tailor social media content according to each group's preferences. By leveraging these strategies, you can enhance the customer experience and get more conversions for your brand. » Discover how to tackle eCommerce hiccups that bust brand loyalty Post and Share the Fast Way With social media, you can engage with your audience quickly and easily. Because customers expect more from the brands they support, including personalization, social media is a flexible platform to accommodate their growing and ever-changing needs. Effective social media marketing strategies can help you achieve better brand awareness, conversions, customer loyalty, and engagement. Leveraging social media creatively can help your brand stand out from competitors and reach more potential customers.