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As online retailing becomes the fastest-growing retail segment and
continues gaining momentum into 2007, online businesses are evaluating
and deploying rich Internet applications to differentiate themselves
and improve customers’ online experiences. In a recent survey of
retailers, catalogers and commerce sites, more than 90 percent of
respondents indicated they will be conducting rich Internet projects
over the next year to enhance user experience.
Scene7 polled businesses selling a variety of products and services
online about rich Internet features, common areas of site enhancements,
tools and technologies being used and timeframes for deploying rich
Internet applications. Analysis of survey data identified the most
popular and effective rich Internet features and applications deployed
or planned, as well as the top Web site areas leveraging rich Internet
applications.
Cross-sell and up-sell, zoom and online catalogs were the
predominant deployed features, while richer imagery, alternative views
and gift suggestions were noted as the leading features planned. Survey
respondents cited the most effective rich Internet features all
involved improving the presentation of products online with zoom (78%),
visual product configurators (76%), color swatching and coloring (75%),
online monogramming (73%) and alternative views (73%) topping the list.
Respondents also identified home and product pages as the most
widely deployed areas of their sites to utilize rich Internet
solutions. Meanwhile, the top areas where online businesses plan to add
rich Internet applications include home, category or browse, best
sellers and product pages, as well as across their entire sites. In
addition, respondents cited the most effective areas to add rich
Internet applications are shop by room or collection, Web to print and
gift registry.
The majority of respondents measure the effectiveness of rich
Internet enhancements through conversion rates; however, other high
ranking methods include measuring revenue increases and clicks or
usage.
“As eCommerce matures, the importance this channel plays for
companies doing any type of business online is increasing,” said Doug
Mack, CEO and founder of Scene7. “Rich Internet features and
applications are critical for companies to differentiate themselves and
drive incremental revenue by offering users unique online experiences.”
About the Rich Internet Experience 2006 and Beyond Survey
The Scene7 Rich Internet Experience 2006 and Beyond Survey was
conducted from October 2, 2006 to October 11, 2006. The key objectives
of the survey were to identify and analyze what online businesses plan
to do in the next year to enhance their user experience. The results
were compiled based on responses from companies representing a broad
cross-section of product categories (fashion, home, jewelry, sporting
goods, electronics, travel and entertainment) and selling channels. A
complete, detailed summary of the results is available from Scene7.
About Scene7
Scene7 – provider of the leading on-demand rich media platform –
enables companies to grow revenues, enhance customer experience and cut
production costs. Scene7's solutions are built on an integrated
technology platform – for unrivaled breadth, depth, scalability and
ease of use. Solutions include Targeted email & print, Dynamic
Imaging, eCatalogs, Product Configurators and Dynamic Asset Management.
Available both as software and On-Demand, leading companies worldwide
have selected Scene7, including Amazon, Harrods, Macy's, Office Depot,
Levi Strauss & Co., La-Z-Boy and QVC – and partners IBM, Microsoft,
Akamai and Adobe. Visit www.scene7.com.
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