E-commerce Archives - abtasty https://www.abtasty.com/industry/e-commerce/ Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:13:31 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://www.abtasty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/cropped-favicon-32x32.png E-commerce Archives - abtasty https://www.abtasty.com/industry/e-commerce/ 32 32 How GANNI Styles Brand Identity Through Experimentation https://www.abtasty.com/resources/ganni-styles-brand-identity-experimentation/ Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:22:29 +0000 https://www.abtasty.com/?post_type=resources&p=156944 Introduction: who is GANNI?  GANNI is a Danish contemporary luxury fashion brand renowned for its ready-to-wear collections, including clothing, shoes, and accessories.    Founded in 2000 and known for its effortless Scandi-cool aesthetic, the brand has evolved into a global name, […]

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Introduction: who is GANNI? 

GANNI is a Danish contemporary luxury fashion brand renowned for its ready-to-wear collections, including clothing, shoes, and accessories.   

Founded in 2000 and known for its effortless Scandi-cool aesthetic, the brand has evolved into a global name, offering a fresh and vibrant take on modern women’s fashion. With a focus on responsible practices, GANNI is committed to positively impacting the planet, aligning with sustainability initiatives such as using organic and recycled materials. Ganni sells its collections online to customers worldwide, including Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, making its mark in over 40 countries. 

At the heart of GANNI’s business is a community focused on changing a broken fashion system. Led by Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup, the brand uses responsible practices as a force of positive change for style, people, and planet. 

GANNI has been creating bold, expressive, and responsibly-minded products for radical optimists everywhere. More than just a fashion brand, Thay embrace innovation for responsible progress, integrating creative approaches into every aspect of its business, from products to brand identity.

What does experimentation bring to GANNI? 

Identifying itself as a ‘progressive luxury’ brand, experimentation plays a crucial role in how GANNIi’s market position, being customer-centric and defining their brand identity.

While they benchmark and look at other luxury brands, they use experimentation to make better decisions on their brand. It allows them to understand how users behave online, how they engage, how they interact and how they see GANNI. Monika Tamics,  Director of Digital Product, explains “We are looking for what customers are struggling with. We identify these, come up with a solution, test it and enhance the online shopping experience by making it easier to find and purchase products, and provide a smoother, more enjoyable shopping journey for greater satisfaction.”

They use AB Tasty to power their experimentation program, successfully running tests that consistently boost conversions and AOV, improve site functionality, and make decisions based on data. By iterating on key features like search, checkout, and more, GANNI continues to improve their site. 

Monika goes on to say: “AB Tasty is a platform where there are no limitations, it’s very user friendly, and anyone at any time can go in to look at the data and provide a better user experience for our customers.”

“AB Tasty is a platform where there are no limitations, it’s very user friendly, and anyone at any time can go in to look at the data and provide a better user experience for our customers.”

Monika Tamics, Ganni Director of Digital Product

Driving brand identity through continuous experimentation

GANNI prioritizes the customer in their testing process by identifying pain points in the user journey and implementing solutions to enhance the online experience. To ensure these tests are effective from a business perspective, GANNI’s team evaluates the entire customer funnel, from the initial interaction to the final checkout. This comprehensive approach has revealed key insights.

By focusing on these incremental changes, GANNI’s experimentation strategy not only improves site performance, but also deepens customer engagement, encouraging browsing and product discovery. With AB Tasty empowering them to scale their experimentation program, Ganni is able to continuously test, learn, and optimize their digital experience. Each change brings deeper insights into their identity, helping to define who Ganni is as a brand.

GANNI conducted a large-scale analysis of their website to identify low-hanging opportunities that could make a big impact. One area they quickly observed was the high number of users searching for specific products, a behavior commonly seen across fashion brands. Site search is a powerful tool, often driving higher conversion rates. In fact, studies show users are nearly 40% more likely to convert than those who don’t use it​. GANNI’s challenge with their search bar was that it wasn’t prominent enough. 

They found that visitors who used their original search function experienced a significant drop in conversion rates. To address this, they focused on making the search bar more visible and user-friendly. They implemented several tests, including adding a border around the search bar, increasing the visibility of the magnifying glass icon, and testing different variations such as a longer search bar with a text hint. 

From these simple yet impactful tests, GANNI achieved a 7.5% increase in conversion rates and a massive 21.9% uplift in users engaging with the mobile search function. 

Another example of incremental learning, GANNI’s test-and-learn mindset allowed them to experiment with changes that significantly improve their user’s customer journey. By optimizing the search experience, GANNIi made it easier for customers to find products they love, driving higher engagement.

Ganni’s checkout challenge

The checkout process presented another key opportunity for GANNI’s experimentation team. Initially, users were required to enter their email address before accessing the checkout page – a step that caused a drop-off in the funnel. GANNI hypothesized that this barrier led customers to assume guest checkout wasn’t an option, prompting cart abandonment. 

Not all tests are winning tests and GANNI’s experimentation on the checkout page is a good example of this. During the first round of tests, designed to clarify the availability of guest checkout, gave inconclusive results. Undeterred by the initial results, GANNI’s experimentation program continued testing. 

They refined their approach, focusing on simplifying the checkout flow by combining the email entry and information input into one step. The team’s determination paid off, generating an impressive uplift in conversions.

Although it was frustrating when the first round of tests didn’t deliver the expected results, GANNI’s Senior Digital Project Manager, Anders Skaarup, notes how they “provided some kind of insights toward the overall purchase funnel or discovery funnel for the user.” By testing barriers in the user journey, GANNI not only improved conversion rates but also deepened their understanding of how small changes can have a significant impact on customer behavior and these learnings led to them adding more and more improvements on the checkout page.

Small changes, big impact

The checkout process or search function can make or break a customer’s decision to complete their purchase. GANNI’s experience is a testament to the power of iterative testing. By identifying key drop-off points and continuously refining their approach, the team is able to remove friction points and unlock valuable insights into user behavior. Not only does this improve CRO and minimize potential revenue loss, but AB Tasty also improves the brand’s overall digital experience. GANNI isn’t reliant on gut feelings or abstract concepts when it comes to experimentation – the team tests, learns and makes data-driven decisions that shape their brand identity. 

A better site for a better customer experience

GANNI wants to speak to their customer group – and the more they can understand them, the better the user’s digital experience. By fostering collaboration across departments, they ensure that all teams are aligned with customer-centric goals. 

As Anders Skaarup, Senior Digital Product Manager states, “This is the way that decisions can be made together – based on data that allows us to become an elevated brand. It also means that we can share insights and help prevent loss – it isn’t simply about gaining more – but being able to capitalize on what is there. At GANNI, we want to speak to our customer group – and the more we can understand them, the better the digital experience.”

“At GANNI, we want to speak to our customer group – and the more we can understand them, the better the digital experience.”

Anders Skaarup, Ganni Senior Digital Product Manager

Brand identity

By continuously testing and learning, they gain real-time insights into customer preferences, allowing them to quickly adapt and deliver a digital experience that resonates deeply with their audience.

With AB Tasty, GANNI may gain insights into what drives revenue and user conversion, enabling faster implementation of new designs, but the real benefit is how it informs who they are as a brand and how this relates to their customers. 

This unified approach to experimentation, continuous learning, small iterations and identifying areas to improve helps to build a customer experience that GANNI’s audience love and strengthens their market position.

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Online Merchandising: Mastering Best Practices https://www.abtasty.com/blog/online-merchandising-mastering-best-practices/ https://www.abtasty.com/blog/online-merchandising-mastering-best-practices/#respond Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:07:58 +0000 https://www.abtasty.com/?p=158365 Online merchandising is more than just showcasing products; it’s capturing your audience’s attention, keeping them engaged, and guiding them smoothly toward a purchase. Let’s explore the essentials of online merchandising, breaking down actionable tips and strategies to elevate your e-commerce […]

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Online merchandising is more than just showcasing products; it’s capturing your audience’s attention, keeping them engaged, and guiding them smoothly toward a purchase. Let’s explore the essentials of online merchandising, breaking down actionable tips and strategies to elevate your e-commerce storefront.

What is Online Merchandising?

Online merchandising is the art of strategically organizing, showcasing, and promoting products on your e-commerce site to maximize engagement and conversions. Think of it as combining the precision of data analytics with the creativity of visual storytelling. Whether it’s through well-optimized product pages, eye-catching images, or personalized recommendations, the goal is the same: making shopping intuitive and enjoyable

The Rise of Mobile-First Merchandising 

Mobile is king in e-commerce. Have you ever noticed that smartphones seem to be glued to our hands? You’re not alone. According to Statista, over 54% of global website traffic now comes from mobile devices. For e-commerce, this means a mobile-first approach is non-negotiable.

How to master mobile merchandising:

  1. Responsive Design: Online shopping is no longer linear. You have to ensure that your site is responsive across devices for a smoother shopping experience. This means making sure your design is responsive on desktop, mobile, and tablets. 
  2. More speed = more spending: According to Deloitte, a mere 0.1s change in loading time can improve the customer journey and improve conversion rates. It’s time to start minimizing code, optimizing images, and reducing redirects to speed up your mobile performance. 
  3. Streamlined Filters: Simplify searches with easy-to-use filters that don’t feel overwhelming on a smaller screen. 
  4. Mobile-Friendly CTAs and Buttons: On desktops, consumers click. On mobile, visitors tap with their fingers. A CTA (or any button) that’s too small can lead visitors to click on the wrong icon and derail their user journey. The CTA should be an optimal size (around 44×44 pixels) to avoid frustration. 
  5. Make your words worth it: With the constraints of a smaller screen, you may need to adapt your copy. Something as simple as changing your CTA button from “Contact Customer Service” to “Contact Us” can have a big impact.
mobile friendly buttons a/b test

Pro Tip: Dive further into mobile-first merchandising with our Smartphone Survival Guide to see how mobile impacts consumer behavior and how you can optimize your user experience to boost conversions.

Merchandising During Sales Periods

Sales periods like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Singles Day, Valentine’s Day, or other seasonal events are more than just discounts galore – they’re an opportunity to drive traffic to your website, clear inventory, and welcome new visitors. 

How to maximize impact during sales

  • Curate Themed Landing Pages: Think “Gifts Under $25” or “Holiday Must-Haves.” Tailored pages simplify the shopping journey and give customers exactly what they’re looking for while saving them time browsing. 
  • Urgency Tactics: Phrases like “Limited Stock” or “24-Hour Sale” pressure visitors to buy quicker by creating a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out).
  • Bundle Deals: Push more products in your inventory by highlighting bundles. Grouping products into bundles with a “frequently bought together” algorithm increases the average order value while offering perceived savings.
Frequently bought together - recommendations example

These strategies not only boost sales but also make your customers feel like they’ve struck gold on your website by finding just what they’re looking for.

The Power of Personalized Product Recommendations

Ever added a pair of shoes to your cart and instantly been tempted by a matching belt? That’s cross-selling at work. Personalized recommendations, when done right, are like having a helpful salesperson who’s available 24/7 to help you find what you need. So, how do you implement recommendations? 

Implementing Recommendations:

  • Use AI to Analyze Behavior: With experience optimization platforms like AB Tasty, you can implement personalized recommendations by using their AI-powered recommendation engine to predict and personalize what visitors might like based on past activity. 
  • Offer Related Products: When visitors start browsing different products, you can show complementary items to help your customers have the most complete purchase. Selling skincare? Why not recommend helpful products to help your visitors “complete their nighttime routine.”
  • Personalize Email Follow-ups: Abandoned carts? Send a friendly nudge with personalized email recommendations to remind your customers what’s waiting in their basket.
email recommendations example on mobile. product recommendation email and promotion.

Want to see the results of recommendations in action? Check out Alltricks’s success story where they saw a +5% in average order value or Jacadi earning +13% more revenue per user with AB Tasty’s recommendations and merchandising solution.

Optimizing Product Pages for Search Engines

Your product pages are like magnets for customers – if they’re SEO-optimized. According to AB Tasty’s E-commerce Consumer Trends Report, nearly half of online experiences begin with a search engine. By improving your SEO and therefore visibility, you’ll make it easier for shoppers to find you. 

Must-Have SEO Features: 

  1. Targeted Keywords: The more details – the better. It’s always best to use longer, search-friendly terms like “women’s waterproof hiking boots” rather than generic ones like “boots.” 
  2. Enticing Meta Descriptions: In addition to a descriptive title, the meta description is your one opportunity to communicate key information about your product with a short, clickable summary to draw in potential buyers.
  3. Alt text for images: Not only does alt text help you meet accessibility standards, but it also improves your chances of showing up in Google Image results.
  4. Detailed Product Descriptions: write descriptions that are informative and keyword-rich while avoiding keyword stuffing.
seo friendly search on website

Leveraging Customer Reviews and Returns Data

Did you know that the majority of consumers read reviews before buying? In fact, Gen Z considers reviews to be the most important thing to consider before making a purchase (source). Reviews help build trust and provide social proof which helps undecided shoppers feel more confident in their purchases.

Ways to Leverage Reviews:

  • Spotlight success stories: We all love a zero-to-hero story! Highlight top-rated reviews directly on product pages to give confidence to your potential buyers.
  • Encourage feedback: Be proactive in building reviews for your e-commerce site by sending a post-purchase email asking for reviews (bonus tip: offer a small discount or loyalty points as an incentive).
  • Feature photos: Take your reviews a step further by encouraging your buyers to upload user-generated images of your products in real life to help build trust.
highlight and display reviews on airbnb

Turn returns into opportunities

Returns aren’t the end of the world, they’re learning opportunities. Analyze return trends to identify products, flaws, sizing issues, or misleading descriptions. Then, tweak your strategy accordingly to reduce future returns. 

Conclusion:

Online merchandising is where creativity meets strategy. By embracing mobile-first designs, leveraging AI, optimizing for SEO, and personalizing the shopping experience, you can turn casual browsers into loyal customers. In today’s competitive e-commerce world, standing out isn’t optional – it’s essential. 

With these best practices, you’re not just selling products, you’re creating an experience worth remembering.

FAQs: Online Merchandising

  1. What is online merchandising, and why is it important?

Online merchandising is the process of strategically presenting products on your website to boost sales and engagement. It’s vital because it directly impacts the customer experience and your bottom line.

2. How does mobile-first design impact online merchandising?

A mobile-friendly site ensures a seamless experience for the majority of shoppers, who browse and buy via smartphones. This boosts conversions and reduces bounce rates.

3. How can I optimize my product pages for better visibility?

Use targeted keywords, detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and SEO-friendly meta tags to improve both search rankings and user engagement.

4. Why are customer reviews crucial for online sales?

Reviews provide social proof, build trust, and influence purchasing decisions. Highlighting reviews can significantly boost conversions.

5. What tools can help with AI-driven merchandising? 

Platforms like AB Tasty offer advanced AI features to personalize recommendations and enhance the overall online shopping experience.

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Wonderbox optimizes customer journey with AB Tasty https://www.abtasty.com/resources/wonderbox-optimizes-customer-journey/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:54:36 +0000 https://www.abtasty.com/?post_type=resources&p=158292 How Wonderbox Made Online Shopping Effortless with AB Tasty Wonderbox is all about creating unforgettable gift experiences. Facing challenges like optimizing promotions and simplifying the buying process, Wonderbox turned to AB Tasty for a smarter approach to give their digital […]

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How Wonderbox Made Online Shopping Effortless with AB Tasty

Wonderbox is all about creating unforgettable gift experiences. Facing challenges like optimizing promotions and simplifying the buying process, Wonderbox turned to AB Tasty for a smarter approach to give their digital journey a little extra magic.

To enhance their promotions, Wonderbox introduced targeted pop-ups powered by AB Tasty’s AI-powered algorithms. Instead of offering discounts to everyone, these personalized pop-ups focus on undecided visitors who might otherwise leave empty-handed, offering them a 10% discount right when it’s most impactful.

But that’s not all— Wonderbox also tackled the complexity of their gift box selection process. With AB Tasty’s session recovery solution, returning visitors can effortlessly pick up where they left off, whether on a product page, category page, or even mid-checkout.

With AB Tasty, Wonderbox ensures every visitor enjoys a smoother, more personalized experience. Want to know exactly how they achieved it? Download their story now and get inspired for your own optimization journey!

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Explore how Figaret’s personalization strategy boosts overall brand sales https://www.abtasty.com/resources/figarets-personalization-strategy-boosts-overall-sales/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:32:06 +0000 https://www.abtasty.com/?post_type=resources&p=158290 How Figaret Transformed Sales with Smart Personalization Since 1968, Figaret has been a symbol of timeless French elegance, crafting premium shirts and apparel that stand the test of time. But as shopping trends shifted online, this brand knew it was […]

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How Figaret Transformed Sales with Smart Personalization

Since 1968, Figaret has been a symbol of timeless French elegance, crafting premium shirts and apparel that stand the test of time. But as shopping trends shifted online, this brand knew it was time to innovate. That’s why Figaret embraced AB Tasty’s personalization tools to revolutionize their online shopping experience—and the results speak for themselves.

With personalized product recommendations placed in all the right spots, Figaret made it easier than ever for shoppers to discover their next favorite piece.

On product pages, customers see suggestions tailored to their tastes, and after adding items to their cart, they’re tempted by similar products and top sellers. The result? A seamless, personalized shopping journey (and more sales!) that keeps customers coming back for more.

Ready to see what personalization can do for your business? Take inspiration from Figaret’s success story and start transforming your sales today.

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Test, Optimize, and Upsell https://www.abtasty.com/blog/optimize-and-upsell-boost-revenue/ https://www.abtasty.com/blog/optimize-and-upsell-boost-revenue/#respond Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:08:08 +0000 https://www.abtasty.com/?p=155982 For e-commerce success, added revenue from existing customers can be more efficient than constantly pursuing new ones. Returning buyers are a vital piece of this strategy. We recently sat down with industry experts to discuss how optimizing customer experiences can […]

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For e-commerce success, added revenue from existing customers can be more efficient than constantly pursuing new ones. Returning buyers are a vital piece of this strategy. We recently sat down with industry experts to discuss how optimizing customer experiences can drive upselling and cross-selling opportunities. They shared practical approaches for boosting average order value (AOV) while nurturing customer loyalty and retention.

Our speakers, each experts in testing, optimization, and conversion rate, provided insights into how brands can increase revenue through personalized, thoughtful customer engagement.

Meet the experts

In this article, we’ll explore actionable strategies from the webinar to help you personalize to existing customers and drive growth through upselling and cross-selling—not just new customer acquisition.

1. Optimizing the cart for upsells

Upselling at the cart and checkout stages can significantly increase AOV, but it requires a carefully planned approach. As Colette Carlson explains: “Before implementing anything, it’s crucial to understand how you’re going to measure success and ensure that your conversion rate is solid. When it comes to the cart and checkout process, if those aren’t optimized, adding upsell and cross-sell strategies will only introduce more noise.” Shoppers who have reached the cart are already primed to convert, so it’s important not to disrupt their momentum with irrelevant or poorly timed offers.

“Before implementing anything, it’s crucial to understand how you’re going to measure success and ensure that your conversion rate is solid. When it comes to the cart and checkout process, if those aren’t optimized, adding upsell and cross-sell strategies will only introduce more noise.”

Collette Carlson, Director of Optimization at Astound Digital

Coordination with internal teams is also important when designing upsell strategies. For instance, if an upsell is introduced at checkout, the process should be seamless – will the original product be automatically removed from the cart if the customer selects an upgrade, or will they need to make the changes manually? Likewise, if you’re offering a bundle or cross-sell, is your system prepared to handle it without disrupting the customer experience?

Effective upsell offers are relevant to the customer’s purchase. Suggesting complementary items or upgrades can boost AOV, as 80% of consumers are more likely to complete their purchase with brands offering personalized experiences. From upsell testing experience at Giftory, Jared advises against pushing unrelated or overly expensive items, which can confuse or deter customers altogether. 

Using product recommendation algorithms can streamline upselling. Automating this process ensures that customers receive relevant suggestions without the need for manual curation, creating a smoother experience for your team and the customer. AB Tasty’s product recommendation engine allows upsells based on several criteria, including most recent products, associated products, similar or more expensive items, complementary items, and top promotions.

2. Strategic product recommendations for cross-selling

To effectively cross-sell, brands must identify the right moment in the customer journey. If you offer relevant products at key points without disrupting the experience, similar to upselling. But first, establishing cross-selling metrics can lead to stronger effectiveness.

The primary metrics will vary depending on what you’re testing—whether it’s an algorithm change, a new carousel design, or a different recommendation format. There are some essential KPIs to consider: 

  • Engagement: Track how often customers interact with cross-sell offers, such as clicks or add-to-basket rates.
  • Conversion rate: Measure how many customers who engage with offers complete their purchases.
  • Average order value (AOV): Gauge how effectively cross-sell strategies are increasing the total order value.
  • Items per order: Monitor if cross-sell efforts lead to additional products being added to the cart.
  • Overall revenue: This ultimate metric reflects the total impact of your cross-sell strategy.

Once these metrics are in place, refine your strategy by determining where cross-sell offers should appear. For example, adding a cross-sell option in the mini cart or as a pop-up at checkout can add complexity, so testing can help avoid disrupting the customer experience.

Testing cross-sell algorithms in action

Nicole Story shared a valuable example of testing product recommendation carousels. Inspired by Amazon’s success, many brands rushed to implement carousels on their websites, but forgot the importance of context. Placing multiple carousels on the homepage often leads to irrelevant suggestions and a poor experience.

Nicole’s team tested various algorithms by tailoring product recommendations to the customer’s journey. On product detail pages (PDPs), carousels that showed “related product suggestions” outperformed those with generic recommendations. The tests revealed that adjusting algorithms based on context and customer behavior was far more effective than placing standard carousels throughout the site.

As Nicole explains: “Simply introducing product recommendations and checking that box off the roadmap isn’t going to deliver real value. The key is continuous optimization and discovering what works across the entire customer journey—that’s where the real value lies.”

“Simply introducing product recommendations and checking that box off the roadmap isn’t going to deliver real value. The key is continuous optimization and discovering what works across the entire customer journey—that’s where the real value lies.”

Nicole Storey, Co-Founder & Director at Hookflash Analytics

Relevance is everything

Cross-sell strategies must be highly relevant to what the customer is already doing. As Gerred Blyth from Giftory mentioned, “We have high expectations as customers and irrelevant offers can break that trust.” Customers expect brands to know their preferences and behaviors, so it’s important that recommendations feel personalized and timely. 

3. Experimentation and testing for long-term loyalty and CLV

Continuous experimentation is critical for building long-term customer loyalty and increasing customer lifetime value (CLV). Instead of relying on a single strategy, brands should constantly test and improve their approach. Colette points out that starting by analyzing existing order data can uncover natural cross-sell patterns. This provides valuable insights into which products are frequently purchased together.

For first-time visitors, bombarding them with upsell offers might backfire. Instead, let them become familiar with your brand and key products before introducing additional offers. In contrast, repeat customers may be more open to cross-sells that align with their previous purchases.

Upselling with product recommendations

According to our data a customized UX can boost revenue and increase basket size by up to 10%. Product recommendations can be seen as a form of personalization and, as our panel pointed out in the webinar, experimenting with different formats—such as carousels, quizzes, or other interactive tools—can help identify what resonates with your audience and drives engagement.

We use AI to analyze visitors’ site interactions and purchase behavior, delivering targeted recommendations, each with a specific goal. This means you can better understand which products to offer, to whom and when during the customer journey:

  • Product Page: Guide users to explore more products or categories.
  • Last Seen Products: Help users quickly resume their browsing.
  • Add to Cart: Encourage users to add complementary items to their basket.
  • Cart Page: Suggest additional items to increase order value.
  • Homepage: Showcase personalized content and help users navigate the site.

Our panel also discussed how different types of algorithms are necessary depending on your vertical. You can divide your algorithms into three distinct types and choose how you prioritize:

  • Convert: These recommendations would offer top sellers, top trending products, top converting products, top reviewed products etc.
  • Upsell: This could suggest most recent products viewed, associated products, similar products, compatible products etc.
  • Personalize: This could suggest last visited products, last bought products, user affinity or similar or associated to cart products

If you work for a beauty site, customers will replenish their favorite products, whereas home and decor might recommend accessories or similar products. While personalization drives relevance, maintaining control over the recommendation process means you can speak directly to your customer’s needs. 

Giftory: fostering loyalty with timely engagement

Giftory is beginning to focus on lifetime customer value. Their approach involves using cross-sell and upsell strategies similar to a CRM initiative, introducing customers to a broader range of products both during and after their purchase. They gather data on why customers buy gifts, such as birthdays or anniversaries, and use that information to send timely product recommendations in the future.

By reaching out to customers at the right moment, such as 11 months after an anniversary purchase, Giftory can re-engage them with relevant offers without overwhelming them with constant promotions. This creates a personalized experience that encourages long-term loyalty and repeat business.

4. Subscription models for upsell and retention 

Offering subscription products to upsell can improve both immediate revenue and CLV. The challenge is to find the right balance: How can you encourage customers to subscribe without overwhelming them, while also ensuring the offer feels relevant and valuable over time? 

Before launching a subscription model, look at your data to understand customer behavior. Consider the difference between a one-time purchaser and a subscriber. While offering a small discount for subscribing may lower the initial AOV, the long-term benefits of recurring revenue from a loyal subscriber can make up for it. 

Testing and data-driven strategy

Launching a subscription model requires more than just adding an upsell feature—it involves a data-informed approach. Starting small with a minimum viable product (MVP) allows you to test how customers respond and fine-tune the offering. Metrics like renewal rates, engagement, and overall CLV will help guide decisions about whether to scale the program.

As Gerred advises: “Walk before you run. Start with the first test—an MVP. It doesn’t have to be the final version you’ll roll out, but that initial test will help you understand the value and prove the benefits. From there, you can evolve and continuously improve. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you hear about advanced strategies and algorithms, but you don’t need to get there all at once.”

“Walk before you run. Start with the first test—an MVP. It doesn’t have to be the final version you’ll roll out, but that initial test will help you understand the value and prove the benefits. From there, you can evolve and continuously improve. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you hear about advanced strategies and algorithms, but you don’t need to get there all at once.”

Gerred Blyth, Chief Product Officer at Giftory

Offering personalized options, such as different subscription tiers or flexible renewal cadences (monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly), can make the experience more appealing to a wider range of customers. Testing, refining, and adapting based on customer feedback will ensure that the model evolves in a way that meets both business goals and customer expectations.

Wrapping up 

Just as you approach CRO with care and precision, cross-selling and upselling require a high level of attention. 

Upselling and cross-selling don’t have to be complex when you have the right tools and the right strategy. If you want the expert’s opinion – watch the webinar below: 

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Understanding the Digital Customer Journey https://www.abtasty.com/blog/digital-customer-journey/ Fri, 18 Oct 2024 11:16:00 +0000 https://www.abtasty.com/?p=102540 In a highly competitive digital marketplace, optimizing your website for a unique and seamless digital customer journey is no longer just a competitive advantage — it’s a necessity. It’s important to remember that the digital customer journey does not begin […]

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In a highly competitive digital marketplace, optimizing your website for a unique and seamless digital customer journey is no longer just a competitive advantage — it’s a necessity.

It’s important to remember that the digital customer journey does not begin and end with a purchase – it’s a web of all customer interactions and touchpoints with your brand.

AB Tasty has mapped out seven customer phases that we consider crucial in the journey. To craft unique experiences, you’ll need to differentiate these seven phases customers pass through and understand how to animate their digital journey.

Once you have a better understanding of these phases, you will be better equipped to set your business goals and properly optimize your website for growth and impact.

Click to view the full-sized infographic in a new tab

How exactly can you optimize each phase of the digital customer journey? Let’s dive right in and take a look at some examples.

Phase 1: Awareness

When visitors land on your website for the first time, a great first impression is crucial. Your page needs to be both visually appealing and intuitive. A dynamic above the fold design is a great place to start.

In this first phase, it’s important to let your best ideas shine to capture and keep your visitors’ attention. You can accomplish this by creating personalized welcome messages for first-time visitors, displaying your value proposition and organizing high-impact elements for better visibility.

Let’s take a look at Just Over The Top’s experiment to modify the layout of their homepage. They used AB Tasty’s experience optimization platform to test if their users responded better seeing a layout with product categories rather than individual products.

Original:

Variation:

After creating a test variation to run against the original layout, they saw a 17.5% click increase on the three blocks below the hero image. This brought many more users into the second phase of their customer journey.

Phase 2: Discovery

When consumers reach the second phase, they’ve already discovered your brand and they’re getting curious.

To accommodate visitors during this phase, your website should be optimized for an excellent browsing experience. Whether this means making your search bar more visible, creating dynamic filters while searching, or using a virtual assistant to get to know your visitors’ interests with a series of questions, an easy browsing experience with intelligent search is key.

In this example, Claudie Pierlot focused on optimizing the customer browsing experience by testing the search bar visibility. In their variation, the small search icon was made more visible by adding the word “recherche” (or search in English) in the top right-hand corner.

Original:

Variation:

This clear above the fold design made it easier for visitors to identify the search bar to begin their browsing experience. With this simple A/B test, they saw a 47% increase in search bar clicks and a 7% increase in conversion rates coming directly from the search bar.

In another example, Villeroy & Boch, a ceramic manufacturing company, wanted to leverage intelligent search on their website. With the help of AB Tasty, they implemented an AI search algorithm to navigate online shoppers.

With our solution, they designed a new and intuitive navigation complete with filters and a comprehensive autosuggestion feature.

By changing their search functions, Villeroy & Boch saw a 33% increase in search results clicks and a 20% increase in sales through the search function.

Phase 3: Consideration

Now is the time when your visitors are considering your brand and which products they are interested in. Showcasing your product pages in their best light during the consideration phase might be exactly what your visitor needs to continue moving down the funnel.

Let’s look at how Hanna Anderson optimized their product pages during this phase.

The clothing retail company wanted to experiment with the images on their product listing pages. Previously, their toddler line had only images of clothing sizes for an older child. They were convinced there was room for improvement and decided to run a test by changing their images to include toddler sizes.

Original:

Variation:

After implementing age-appropriate clothing images, the results were clear. During this test, the clicks on PLPs increased by almost 8% and the purchase rate on those items skyrocketed by 22%.

Phase 4: Intent

During the intent phase, your visitors are on the verge of becoming customers but need to be convinced to make a purchase.

Social proof, urgency messaging, and bundling algorithms are a few ideas to lightly nudge visitors to add to cart or add more to cart.

Let’s take a look at the impact that urgency messaging can have: IZIPIZI, an eyewear retailer, decided to add a special message flag next to their product description to show viewers how many people have purchased this product. The idea of this message is to show viewers that this product is popular and to encourage them to take action.

With this simple sentence of social proof to validate a product’s desirability, they saw a 36% increase in add-to-basket rate.

In another scenario, you can see that adding a progress bar is a simple way to upsell. With a progress par, you are showing your customer how close they are to earning free shipping, which entices them to add more to their cart.

Vanessa Bruno experimented with this additive with the help of AB Tasty and saw a 3.15% increase in transactions and a €6 AOV uplift.

Phase 5: Purchase

Purchase frustration is real. If customers experience friction during checkout, you risk losing money.

Friction refers to any issues the visitors may encounter such as unclear messaging during the payment (did the payment actually go through?), confusing or expensive shipping options, discounts not working, double authentication check-in delays, difficult sign-in, and more.

Optimizing your checkout sequence for your audience with rollouts and KPI-triggered rollbacks can help you find a seamless fit for your website.

Let’s look at an example for this phase: Galeries Lafayette, the French luxury department store, saw an opportunity to optimize their checkout by displaying default payment methods that do not require double authentication.

During this test, they saw a €113,661 increase in profit, a €5 uplift in average order value, and a 38% increase in the conversion rate by adding the CB (bank card) option for a quicker checkout.

Phase 6: Experience

Optimizing the buyer experience doesn’t end after the purchase. Now is the time to grow your customer base and stop churn in its tracks. So, how do you keep your customers interested? By maintaining the same level of quality in your messages and personalization.

Let’s look at how Envie de Fraise, a French boutique, leveraged their user information to transform a normal post-purchase encounter into a personalized experience.

One of their customers had just purchased a maternity dress and had been browsing multiple maternity dresses prior to their purchase. By knowing this information, they experimented with using the “you will love these products” algorithm to gently nudge their customer to continue shopping.

With a customized recommendation like this, Envie de Fraise saw a €127K increase in their potential profit. As your customer spends more time with your brand, you will learn more about their habits and interests. The more time they spend with you, the more personalized you can make their experience.

Phase 7: Loyalty

In the final step of your customer’s journey, they move into the loyalty phase. To turn customers into champions of your brand, it’s important to remind them that you value their loyalty.

This can be done by sending emails with individual offers, social proof, product suggestions, or incentives for joining a loyalty program to earn rewards or complete product reviews.

Another example of this is sending a personalized email displaying items that are frequently bought together that align with their purchase. This will remind the customer about your brand and give them recommendations for future purchases.

Why Optimizing the Digital Customer Journey is Essential to Boost Conversions

The fierce competition in the e-commerce marketplace is undeniable. In order to attract and retain customers, you have to focus on crafting personalized user experiences to turn passive visitors into active buyers.

Understanding their needs in each phase and optimizing your digital space is your best solution to nudge visitors down the purchasing funnel.

By personalizing the experience of your customers during each phase of the digital customer journey, you can ensure an optimal shopping experience, boost purchases, increase customer satisfaction, and see more repeat customers.

AB Tasty is the best-in-class experience optimization platform that empowers you to create a richer digital experience – fast. From experimentation to personalization, this solution can help you activate and engage your audience to boost your conversions.

Using personalization to enhance your customer journey

With the vast array of products and brands to choose from, customer loyalty has become more important than ever. By focusing on personalizing the digital customer journey, you can reduce the chances of your customer abandoning their purchase or opting for another brand.

An individualized customer journey is beneficial for the following reasons:

  • Option overload: As online brands fight for the attention of consumers, it’s important to set your brand apart from the rest, with a customer journey that is tailored to their needs.
  • Analysis paralysis: With a plethora of information now readily available to customers who are researching and comparing potential purchases, your digital customer journey can help to deliver the information they need with ease and offer them the best shopping experience, thereby tipping the scale in your favor.
  • Lack of loyalty: The ease with which a customer can change service providers has increased the pressure and importance of meeting their needs during the entirety of the digital customer journey. Every interaction matters.

Offering a personalized experience elevates the customer journey and helps to ensure customer satisfaction. By leveraging the power of personalization, you can adapt the individual phases of the customer journey to each customer’s needs for an optimal e-commerce experience.

Personalization is the key to customer satisfaction

There is no way to deny the intense competition in the e-commerce space. Attracting and retaining customers is more difficult now than it has ever been. To advance ahead of the competition, you must understand customer needs and personalize each user journey with the help of a customer journey model.

By personalizing each experience your customers have with your brand, you can be sure to give your customers an optimal shopping experience, guarantee customer satisfaction, and encourage customer loyalty.

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Mastering Mobile Optimization: Tactics for Higher Commerce Conversion https://www.abtasty.com/blog/mastering-mobile-optimization/ https://www.abtasty.com/blog/mastering-mobile-optimization/#respond Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:14:03 +0000 https://www.abtasty.com/?p=155065 In today’s mobile-first world, where smartphones dominate more than half of global web traffic, optimizing for mobile has never been more crucial. Mobile usage surpassed desktop in the US in 2022 and in the UK in 2023, signaling a clear […]

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In today’s mobile-first world, where smartphones dominate more than half of global web traffic, optimizing for mobile has never been more crucial. Mobile usage surpassed desktop in the US in 2022 and in the UK in 2023, signaling a clear shift in consumer behavior. Brands are now urged to design with mobile in mind first, adapting for desktop as needed, rather than the reverse. This shift may seem daunting for teams, but it’s a necessary evolution to meet the expectations of today’s users.

Whether your customers are researching products or making purchases, their mobile experience can make or break their journey with your brand. While it’s clear that more shopping is done on mobile devices than on desktop, the real question remains: how significant is mobile shopping overall? Today’s mobile-savvy consumer isn’t just using their device for convenience, but to blend their in-store and online shopping into one seamless experience. In fact, nearly 80% of shoppers globally use their smartphones to browse  a retailer’s website while shopping in-store, and 74% use the store’s app. However, only 33% of consumers prefer making purchases on their phones, with 49% reporting a smoother experience on desktop or tablet. This highlights just how important it is for brands to enhance their mobile offerings for a seamless experience across all devices.

To delve into the complexities of mobile optimization Mary Kate, AB Tasty’s Head of Growth Marketing for North America, teamed up with Allie Tkachenko, a UI/UX Strategist at WPromote, for a webinar on mastering mobile. AB Tasty’s platform enables brands to deliver personalized customer experiences, while Wpromote helps design and optimize engaging web experiences that convert.  They emphasize a key message: mobile optimization isn’t just about resizing for a smaller screen – it’s about creating an intuitive, seamless journey that aligns with today’s mobile-first consumer’s behaviors and expectations. 

It’s critical that mobile  websites  excel in areas like speed, navigation, and user-friendliness. Let’s dig into three actionable strategies from the webinar to help your brand stay ahead and deliver an improved mobile experience for your customers. 

1. Maximizing limited space

One of the biggest challenges in mobile design is maximizing limited screen space without overwhelming users. The key is to keep crucial content above the fold—on mobile, this means placing essential elements like navigation bars, CTAs, and product highlights in a prominent position, visible without scrolling. This is particularly important on search landing pages, the homepage, and other high-traffic areas. A well-organized and streamlined navigation system that helps users quickly find what they need can lead to higher engagement and reduced bounce rates.

While desktops offer ample space to break down navigation into detailed categories, mobile design requires a more simplified structure due to space constraints. Consider grouping categories under broader buckets like “Top Categories” or similar, allowing users to easily explore the site without feeling overwhelmed by too many options. Another key strategy is leveraging responsible design, such as implementing sticky navigation bars or menus that stay visible as users scroll. This approach, widely adopted across industries, ensures easy access to important links and minimizes the effort required to navigate the site.

AB Tasty in action

The UX team at Clarins wanted to make their product more visible on their category pages. In the original layout, filtering and sorting functions were stacked, removing space from the second row of products appearing. After testing a column layout for the filtering and sorting menus, the team saw a significant improvement—bounce rates decreased, and clicks to products increased by 34%.

Optimizing screen space solutions

  • Keep key elements above the fold 
  • Simplified navigation 
  • Use responsive design  
Watch the whole webinar below or get our Mobile Optimization Guide

2. The thumb zone

The “Thumb Zone” refers to the area of the screen that is easiest for users to reach with their thumbs, typically the lower portion of the screen. Since most users interact with their phones one-handed, placing critical CTAs, buttons, and interactive elements within this zone is important for accessibility and ease of use. 

Consider this: a navigation bar that starts at the top of the page but shifts responsively to the bottom as the user scrolls. This keeps it in an expected spot initially, avoiding any disruption to the user’s flow, and then moves it to a more reachable area as they continue browsing.

Another thing to keep in mind is sizing. Whether it’s buttons, images, form fields, or menu links, the size of these elements plays a huge role in usability. You can’t just shrink them to save space—you have to ensure they’re “tappable” so users can easily interact. While reachability is key, think about what doesn’t need to be within reach, like informational banners or logos. You can place those outside the thumb zone, saving prime space for interactive elements.

Brands that prioritize the thumb zone in their mobile designs see improved user engagement and lower frustration levels. This small shift can make a significant difference in usability and customer satisfaction. 

AB Tasty in action

The team at Club Med, a leading travel and hospitality brand, observed that their original mobile site displayed a navigation bar at the top of the page, which would disappear as users scrolled down. To increase user engagement with different category offerings, they created a variation of the mobile homepage with a sticky navigation bar which remained at the bottom of the screen while scrolling.

The results of the A/B test revealed a 12% increase in click rates, a 12% increase in access to the transaction funnel, and a 2% decrease in the bounce rate for users showing the variation with the sticky navigation bar. This approach effectively makes information more physically accessible.

Optimizing the thumb zone

  • Bottom Navigation 
  • Sizing 
  • Reachability  

3.  Improving processes 

Lengthy forms and cumbersome checkout processes are major obstacles to conversion in mobile digital experiences. Mobile users expect a seamless, fast journey, and frustration with complex forms often leads to abandoned carts. Streamlining these processes—especially form fills and checkouts—can reduce friction and improve conversions. We’ve all experienced the annoyance of having to redo a form, fearing progress might be lost, which can lead to users abandoning the process entirely. Key areas for optimization include simplifying checkout by offering guest checkout options and exploring one-click payment methods.

Search and product discovery also present unique challenges on mobile devices due to limited screen space. With condensed menus and site navigation, users often rely heavily on the search function. Optimizing your search results pages to help users quickly find specific products can drastically improve the user experience. The space constraints of mobile mean that every element, including search results, should guide users efficiently to what they’re looking for.

Lastly, page load speed plays a vital role in retaining users. A slow-loading site can deter users, leading them to abandon your site altogether. Reducing load times is crucial for keeping users engaged. Understanding your audience and continuously optimizing these processes will help ensure your site meets their needs and encourages conversions.

AB Tasty in action

Travel insurance company, DirectAsia, needed users to fill out a form to generate an insurance quote. The team observed that customers were not completing the forms as smoothly as expected. To address this, they implemented a variation in the test where bolded check marks appeared to validate each completed field. This change created a sense of progress for users as they navigated the form and alleviated any uncertainty about needing to go back to correct errors.

As a result of this test, DirectAsia achieved a 1.97% increase in quote generations and a 7.78% increase in transaction rates. By reassuring users throughout the form-filling process, DirectAsia successfully guided more customers through their quote generation form.

Optimizing mobile processes

  • Checkout 
  • Search and discovery 
  • Speed & image loading 

Wrapping up

Mobile optimization is about much more than making your website look good on a smaller screen; it’s about crafting a seamless, user-friendly experience that enhances the customer journey. Whether you’re focusing on improving site speed, optimizing design for better accessibility, or streamlining complex processes, the suggestions above provide a solid foundation for mastering mobile optimization. By understanding the nuances of mobile behavior and catering to the needs of your users, your brand can create a frictionless experience that drives conversions and fosters customer loyalty.

Stay ahead in the mobile-first era by ensuring your website design and processes align with the expectations of today’s consumers. AB Tasty can help achieve this goal by providing innovative tools and data-driven testing to enhance your mobile strategy. As mobile usage continues to grow, so does the importance of providing a smooth, engaging, and conversion-focused experience. 

If you want to get all the details. – watch the webinar below.

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How to Win Q5: Maintaining Momentum After the Holiday Spike https://www.abtasty.com/resources/how-to-win-q5-after-holiday-spike/ Wed, 02 Oct 2024 08:58:47 +0000 https://www.abtasty.com/?post_type=resources&p=154813 For many brands, Q5 is a lethargic period between holiday chaos and back-to-work drudgery when sales momentum fizzles faster than a half-hearted New Year’s resolution. But where some see a sales dead zone, savvy ecommerce marketers know the “hidden quarter” […]

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For many brands, Q5 is a lethargic period between holiday chaos and back-to-work drudgery when sales momentum fizzles faster than a half-hearted New Year’s resolution.

But where some see a sales dead zone, savvy ecommerce marketers know the “hidden quarter” is a golden window of opportunity—if you have the right strategy.

And that’s what the next Screen Share is all about.

Join a powerhouse panel of ecommerce experts from Ready Set, ZeroBounce, and AB Tasty for a value-packed discussion on capitalizing on unique Q5 opportunities and kickstarting a profitable 2025.

  • Strategies to exploit rock-bottom ad costs and near-zero competition
  • How to tap into the lucrative “New Year, New Me” mindset to create irresistible offers
  • Full-funnel optimization tactics to transform Q4 campaign leftovers into lean, mean Q5 profit machines

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Winning Big During the E-Commerce Holiday Season: Strategies and Insights https://www.abtasty.com/blog/winning-big-during-the-e-commerce-holiday-season/ https://www.abtasty.com/blog/winning-big-during-the-e-commerce-holiday-season/#respond Mon, 30 Sep 2024 19:51:31 +0000 https://www.abtasty.com/?p=154733 As we approach the most lucrative time of the year for e-commerce—Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the broader holiday season—businesses are laser-focused on maximizing their revenue potential. The stakes are high and the competition is fierce, but with the right […]

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As we approach the most lucrative time of the year for e-commerce—Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the broader holiday season—businesses are laser-focused on maximizing their revenue potential. The stakes are high and the competition is fierce, but with the right strategies you can set your brand apart and significantly boost your bottom line. In this blog, we’ll dive into some key tactics for winning big during the holiday season which can all be found in our 30 Tests for Black Friday e-book.

Understanding the E-Commerce Landscape During the Holidays

The holiday season, particularly around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, represents a critical period for e-commerce businesses. Last year alone, consumers spent over $9 billion on Black Friday. With more and more customers shopping online, the opportunity for e-commerce businesses to capture market share is immense.

However, this opportunity comes with challenges. The influx of traffic can strain your website, and the sheer number of competitors vying for attention can make it difficult to stand out. That’s where a well-designed strategy comes into play.

Prioritize Website Performance and Reliability

One of the first steps to ensure a successful holiday season is to prepare your website for the surge in traffic. Testing your website load is crucial. Even a one-second delay in page load time can lead to a 6% reduction in conversions.

Start by simulating high traffic volumes to identify potential bottlenecks. Optimize your servers, compress images, and streamline your code to ensure your website can handle the holiday rush. Remember, a smooth user experience is non-negotiable.

Craft Compelling and Urgent CTAs

The holiday season is all about urgency. Limited-time offers, countdowns, and exclusive deals create a sense of urgency that drives conversions. We can’t emphasize enough the importance of A/B testing your calls-to-action (CTAs) to find the most effective wording, design, and placement.

Experiment with phrases like “Limited Time Offer,” “Exclusive Black Friday Deal,” or “Shop Now Before It’s Gone.” The goal is to create a sense of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) that compels customers to take immediate action. A/B testing here is an ideal way to help you find the messaging that works best for your audience.

Personalization is Key

Consumers expect a personalized shopping experience, especially during the holidays. Tailoring your content and offers to individual users can significantly increase engagement and conversions. Use previous interactions, browsing behavior, and purchase history data to deliver personalized recommendations and offers.

For example, if a customer frequently purchases tech gadgets, highlight your latest electronics deals in your email campaigns and on-site recommendations. We strongly advocate using dynamic content that changes based on user behavior, ensuring that each visitor sees the most relevant offers.

Optimize Your Mobile Experience

With more than half of all e-commerce transactions now happening on mobile devices, optimizing your mobile experience is no longer optional—it’s essential. A seamless mobile experience can differentiate between a sale and an abandoned cart.

Ensure your website is responsive, with easy navigation, fast load times, and simplified checkout processes. Test your mobile site thoroughly, focusing on the user experience from landing to checkout. Our mobile-first world demands a smooth mobile experience, so it’s crucial to run mobile-specific A/B tests to identify and fix any friction points.

Leverage Social Proof

Social proof is a powerful tool in the e-commerce arsenal, particularly during the holiday season. Customer reviews, ratings, and user-generated content can significantly influence purchasing decisions.

Consider showcasing recent customer reviews on your product pages or adding a “Trending Now” section highlighting popular items. Social proof can increase trust and encourage hesitant shoppers to make a purchase.

Experiment with Pricing Strategies

Pricing plays a crucial role in holiday season sales. Dynamic pricing, flash sales, and bundling products are just a few strategies that can entice customers to buy more. Running A/B tests on pricing strategies can help you determine what resonates most with your audience.

For instance, you might test a “Buy One, Get One Free” offer against a “25% Off” deal to see which drives more conversions. The key is to stay flexible and willing to experiment until you find the ideal message for your audience.

Use Email Marketing to Drive Conversions

Email marketing remains one of the most effective channels for driving holiday sales. A well-crafted email campaign can keep your brand top-of-mind and encourage repeat purchases. Segment your email list to target different customer groups with personalized offers.

You can test subject lines, send times, email content, and more to optimize open rates and conversions. Consider sending reminder emails for abandoned carts and exclusive early access deals to your most loyal customers.

Streamline Your Checkout Process

Cart abandonment is a major challenge during the holiday season, with many shoppers dropping off at the checkout stage. To combat this, ensure your checkout process is as smooth and simple as possible.

Minimize the number of steps required to complete a purchase, offer multiple payment options, and provide clear shipping information. Test options like a one-click checkout option to see if it reduces cart abandonment rates.

Invest in Retargeting Campaigns

Retargeting is a powerful way to re-engage visitors who have shown interest in your products but haven’t yet made a purchase. During the holiday season, retargeting can help you recover lost sales and boost your conversion rates.

Set up retargeting campaigns that display personalized ads to users who have visited your site or abandoned their carts. Timing is so important when it comes to retargeting—start your campaigns early and increase frequency as the holidays approach.

Offer Free Shipping and Easy Returns

Shipping costs and return policies can make or break a sale, especially during the holidays. Offering free shipping can be a strong incentive for customers to complete their purchases. Likewise, a hassle-free return policy can reduce the perceived risk of buying online.

We suggest promoting these benefits prominently on your website and in your marketing materials. Consider running tests to see how different shipping and return options impact conversion rates. Another great option is to test using a progress bar to encourage larger orders in exchange for free shipping.

Plan for Post-Holiday Retention

While the holiday season is a prime time for acquisition, it’s also an opportunity to focus on retention. Customers acquired during this period can become repeat buyers if nurtured correctly.

Post-holiday, consider running loyalty programs, offering exclusive discounts for future purchases, and sending personalized thank-you emails. Maintaining engagement with your customers beyond the holiday season will build long-term loyalty.

Conclusion: Prepare, Test, and Optimize

The e-commerce holiday season is a marathon, not a sprint. To truly win big, it’s crucial to prepare in advance, test rigorously, and optimize continuously. By implementing the strategies outlined in this blog—and leveraging the proven tests from AB Tasty’s 30 Tests for Black Friday—you can position your business for success during the most critical time of the year.

Remember, the key to a successful holiday season lies in your ability to adapt and respond to the ever-changing needs of your customers. Stay agile, keep testing, and make data-driven decisions to maximize your holiday sales.

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Experimentation Hotspots: Proven Strategies to Optimize Key Pages https://www.abtasty.com/blog/experimentation-hotspots-website/ https://www.abtasty.com/blog/experimentation-hotspots-website/#respond Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:57:48 +0000 https://www.abtasty.com/?p=154618 When it comes to optimizing your website for better performance, experimentation is key to uncovering the areas that will make the biggest impact. Every page and interaction is an opportunity to boost conversions, streamline the user experience, and reduce friction. […]

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When it comes to optimizing your website for better performance, experimentation is key to uncovering the areas that will make the biggest impact. Every page and interaction is an opportunity to boost conversions, streamline the user experience, and reduce friction. But with so many possibilities, where do you start testing? What are the key hotspots on your website that can deliver quick wins and meaningful improvements?

Finding the right areas to test can be tricky, but knowing where to focus is important for getting results quickly. That’s why we’ve identified five key questions to help guide your experimentation efforts:

  • Is the content relevant to “me” (the visitor)?
  • Is the next action clear?
  • What may be distracting?
  • What could cause anxiety?
  • What is creating urgency?

By addressing these questions, you can start identifying the areas on your website—what we call Experimentation Hotspots—that offer the most potential for improvement. In this guide, we’ll explore these important areas, from the homepage to the checkout funnel, that are ideal for testing. Whether you’re optimizing for mobile, app, or desktop, these tips will help you kickstart your experimentation journey and start making impactful changes. 

1. Homepage

The homepage is where you show people who you are and what your brand means. It serves as the gateway to various sections, from product categories to special offers, and is where users often return mid-session. Your homepage often sets the tone for the rest of the user’s journey, making optimization crucial.

One effective strategy is to experiment with the placement and labels of your call-to-action (CTA) buttons. Ensuring that users can quickly locate key actions, such as signing up or starting their shopping journey, can make a significant difference in engagement. Testing different CTA labels, such as “Explore Now” versus “Shop Now,” helps determine which drives the most conversions.

Additionally, it’s essential to test the layout and how content is presented. Category links, sales promotions, and other critical pieces of content should be placed in a way that draws attention without overwhelming users. Small adjustments—like changing the placement of sales banners or highlighting popular categories—can enhance the overall user experience and increase interaction with your content.

Areas to optimize

  • Header
  • Main Navigation
  • Categories
  • Content Pushes
  • Layout

AB Tasty customer success in action

The beauty brand, Lush, shifted its homepage messaging by testing two variations—one focused on self-care and another on gifting care packages. The version centered on gifting led to a 250% increase in engagement, showing how even minor tweaks in messaging can significantly improve user interactions.

2. Product listing page (PLP)

The product listing page (PLP) is where users begin narrowing down their choices. This page is most effective when visitors can scan and compare products easily, helping them make decisions more efficiently. While it might seem like there’s limited space to display information, there’s a lot of room for optimization that can smooth the path to purchase.

Testing how high-quality images, clear pricing, and CTAs like “Add to Cart” are displayed can improve product visibility. Adding reviews or badges like “Best Seller” can boost credibility and urgency. Experiment with hover effects to show additional details when users hover over a product.

Experiment with the placement and functionality of filters to make product discovery easier. Test whether a sidebar, dropdown, or dynamic filtering works best for your users. Simple adjustments to category labels or sorting options, like by price or ratings, can enhance the shopping experience.

Areas to optimize

  • Product Card Information (e.g., imagery, price, CTA)
  • Reviews and Badges
  • Hover States
  • Filters and Sorting Options
  • Headers/Banners

AB Tasty customer success in action

Clarins UK reintroduced the wishlist functionality to their PLP and PDP. This allowed users to save their favorite products for later, which led to a 1.54% increase in basket page views. It also increased the number of transactions by 1.83%, showing the value of small user experience enhancements. 

It’s also important to consider the differences between mobile and desktop experiences when testing. A solution that works well on desktop might not perform the same on mobile due to varying user behaviors. Despite a long-standing focus on mobile optimization, it’s still common to overlook these differences. 

3. Product display page (PDP) 

The product description page (PDP) is the centerpiece of any e-commerce experience and at the center of a customer journey. Many retailers are now asking, “How can we make the PDP feel more like a landing page?” With more customers arriving directly on PDPs from social media, rather than the homepage, the PDP often serves as the first touchpoint. This makes it even more crucial, as it’s where customers ultimately decide whether or not to make a purchase. Reducing friction and providing clear, relevant information are essential to driving conversions at this stage.

Testing how high-quality images, clear pricing, and CTAs like “Add to Cart” are displayed can improve product visibility. Adding reviews or badges like “Best Seller” can boost credibility and urgency. Experiment with hover effects to show additional details when users hover over a product.

Experiment with the placement and functionality of filters to make product discovery easier. Test whether a sidebar, dropdown, or dynamic filtering works best for your users. Simple adjustments to category labels or sorting options, like by price or ratings, can enhance the shopping experience.

Key areas to experiment with

  • Product Imagery and Descriptions: Ensure your images and descriptions are high-quality, answering common questions about the product (e.g., size, fit, material).
  • Call-to-Action Buttons: Test the wording, design, and placement of your CTAs to find what drives the most conversions.

Additional areas to optimize

  • Page Layout (order of information)
  • Product Images and Videos
  • Shipping & Return Messaging
  • Cross-Sell Items
  • Call to Actions
  • Reviews and User-Generated Content
  • Experience for New Visitors
  • Mobile vs Desktop Experience
  • Add-to-Cart Behavior & Mini Cart

AB Tasty customer success in action

French beauty product L’Occitane implemented a social proof widget on its PDP, showing how many people had recently viewed a product. The first variation displayed “X people are viewing this product,” while the second version said “Selling Fast.” This simple tweak created urgency and reassurance, leading to a 5.76% increase in transaction rate and a 3.36% increase in revenue per visitor. 

Social proof taps into user psychology—when customers see that many others are viewing or purchasing a product, it creates a sense of urgency and reduces anxiety, helping to drive sales.

4. Checkout funnel

The checkout process is where the real magic (or frustration) happens. It’s the final step in the customer journey, and even small obstacles here can lead to abandoned carts. Simplifying the checkout funnel can make the difference between completing a sale and losing a customer at the last moment. This stage is not just about speeding up the process—it’s also about building trust and ensuring customers feel confident in their purchase.

Optimizing your checkout involves refining everything from the mini basket to the confirmation page, making the experience as seamless as possible. 

Testing opportunities

  • Product Imagery and Descriptions: Ensure your images and descriptions are high-quality, answering common questions about the product (e.g., size, fit, material).
  • Call-to-Action Buttons: Test the wording, design, and placement of your CTAs to find what drives the most conversions.

Additional areas to optimize

  • Basket Summary
  • Step Progression
  • Login and Guest Checkout Options
  • Account Creation
  • Form Field Labels & Microcopy
  • Payment Methods
  • Coupon Field Visibility & Design
  • Cross-Sells & Product Recommendations
  • Confirmation Page

AB Tasty customer success in action

Calvin Klein ran a test where they displayed a “last viewed” carousel on the empty cart page after a user removed all items from their cart. This reminded users of previously viewed products, reducing the bounce rate by 4.19% and increasing orders by 7.5%. By preventing the cart from feeling empty and offering product recommendations, the brand successfully retained potential customers and increased conversions.

5. Personalization

Personalization is key to creating a unique and engaging experience for each visitor. In an online shopping survey, 88% of respondents rated personalized product recommendations as helpful when asked to score them on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being very helpful and 1 not helpful). By understanding user behavior and segmenting audiences, you can deliver tailored content that enhances user satisfaction and drives higher conversions. Personalization not only improves the shopping experience, but also fosters customer loyalty, encouraging repeat purchases over time. 

Start with

  • Behavioral Targeting: Personalize content based on how users interact with your site. For example, use data on past clicks or scrolling behavior to serve more relevant offers.
  • Abandoned Cart Reminders: Encourage users to complete their purchase by reminding them of items left behind.

AB Tasty customer success in action

French fashion retailer, Maje created a personalized campaign for users who abandoned their carts. When those users returned to the site, they were shown the products they had previously left behind, making it easy for them to continue shopping. This strategy resulted in an 11% increase on click rate on the pop up, with a significant portion of those users completing their purchases.

In addition, AB Tasty tools like Emotions AI can help recognize emotional triggers or online body language (e.g., scroll behavior or clicks) to tailor content even further, providing users with the most relevant experiences.

Wrapping up

From optimizing your homepage to personalizing the user experience, every aspect of your website offers an opportunity for growth. Even small tests—like changing the placement of a carousel or adjusting CTA wording—can lead to significant results.

By regularly experimenting and optimizing key hotspots on your site, you can improve user engagement, reduce friction, and ultimately increase conversions. Remember, every site is different, so test frequently and use data to inform decisions. This approach helps ensure that you’re continually refining your site for optimal success.

If you want to get all the details. – watch the webinar below.

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