Get the most out of your Inc. online experience by registering and joining the Inc. community today. Get access to all Inc.com content and priority invites to free Inc. networking events in your area.

Login using:


Or login directly through Inc.com

Just Looking

 

They don't call it a Web browser for nothing. According to a recent survey of 25 top E-commerce sites, conducted by Net Effect Systems, 67% of the merchandise that customers "select" on-line is never actually purchased. Here's how those sites' responses to other survey questions came out:

Of the people who visit your site, how many actually make a purchase or become customers?
1.75%

How many people who make a purchase actually purchase again?
Fewer than 10%

How do you position your E-commerce site against your competitors'?
Service/customer experience: 65%
Selection of goods: 20%
Branding: 15%

Do you have a Web-based customer-management system?
No: 90%
Yes: 10%

Do you have a method for finding out why customers leave the Web site before making a purchase?
Yes: 15%
No: 75%
Not sure: 10%

Is the responsibility for E-commerce customer experience (service and support) a full-time executive-level position?
No: 90%
Yes: 5%
We're considering it: 5%

Source: First Annual Survey on Ecommerce Service, June 1999, Net Effect Systems, N. Hollywood, Calif.

Read more:

  • 9 Most Common Start-up Mistakes
  • Accelerator vs. Incubator: What's the Difference?
  • How Pinterest Really Makes Money

    • Sign-up for our Technology Newsletter