The wisest shoppers are fully aware that stores on the street implement a whole host of tricks to get customers spending. But physical stores aren’t the only ones at it. Online stores have a few tricks up their own sleeves.
Larger Carts: A very simple technique for physical stores is to increase the size of their baskets. This one small change can make a big difference to a person’s average shop. So how does this translate to online shopping? Just think about when you’re shopping online. Your basket is potentially infinite, that’s a lot of groceries!
Remove the Wallet from the Purchase: The biggest benefit for online stores is the use of a shopper’s account. Once your details and card number are all in there, you can come back again and again and buy things without even having to get your wallet out. An even larger danger looms in the form of the “buy now” button. This innocent-looking button is all too easy to click and feeds off people’s impulses.
False Sales Prices: There’s a particularly sneaky technique that gets used by both physical and online stores. “Fake Sales” will have you buying something under the illusion that you’re getting a bargain but the truth is very different. A store may claim that they’re selling a $20 item for half price at $10, when in fact they never sold the item for more than $15. It doesn’t affect what you’re paying but you feel like you’re getting a better deal than you actually are.
Increased Browsing Time: Stores are well aware that the longer you stay on them, the more you are likely to spend. Their websites are designed to entice you to keep browsing. You might only plan on looking at one dress but chances are you’ll end up clicking the “more like this” link.
Of course, these tricks-of-the-trade are not really a negative, as long as you provide your consumer with quality products at advertised prices. Your online store should never scam people, but taking advantage of the new purchasing practices of the online shopper can only benefit you and your consumer!
