40% of online shoppers prefer visual images – survey

WeSEE reveals that three-quarter (74%) of UK consumers say that traditional text-based keyword queries are inefficient in helping them find the right items online, with 15% of these shoppers saying they regularly encounter trouble finding what they’re looking for using keyword searches. Considering that 73% of people shop online by entering a search term into a search engine, retailers that rely on solely keyword search miss out on significant business. 

 

WeSEE reveals that three-quarter (74%) of UK consumers say that traditional text-based keyword queries are inefficient in helping them find the right #

While search is currently one of the dominant methods for online shopping, many are starting to prefer a more personalised experience when shopping online. In fact, 40% of shoppers would like their online shopping experience to be more visual, image-based and intuitive: one in four say they would like items suggested based on websites they’ve historically visited, 16% said they’d like product recommendations based on images they’ve shared, liked or uploaded whilst 12% would like to be able to buy items that they see on social networks without navigating away from the page.

 

WeSEE reveals that three-quarter (74%) of UK consumers say that traditional text-based keyword queries are inefficient in helping them find the right #

The Visual Generation

The research reveals that shoppers aged 18-34 make up a new visual generation for whom images regularly inspire purchases. 40% of under 35s say they have used their mobile device to take a picture of a specific item on the high street to buy once they get home, whereas only 30% take pictures to inspire shopping at a later date. 

 

WeSEE reveals that three-quarter (74%) of UK consumers say that traditional text-based keyword queries are inefficient in helping them find the right #

These visual shoppers are interested in the latest shopping technologies – three-quarters of 18-34 year-olds would like more visual technologies incorporated into online and mobile shopping. 45% under 35s say they would like to be able to take a picture of an item with their mobile and be linked directly to a site to but it. 

 

WeSEE reveals that three-quarter (74%) of UK consumers say that traditional text-based keyword queries are inefficient in helping them find the right #

One in three (32%) would like to be able to upload a picture and be shown similar items, and a third (33%) of this demographic would like to be able to know where to buy high street versions of celeb outfits seen in images online. The shape and style of an item – rather than its text-based description – is a key consideration, with two-thirds (65%) of consumers rating it ‘important’ or ‘critically important’ in finding the right item.

 

WeSEE reveals that three-quarter (74%) of UK consumers say that traditional text-based keyword queries are inefficient in helping them find the right #

 

WeSEE reveals that three-quarter (74%) of UK consumers say that traditional text-based keyword queries are inefficient in helping them find the right #