Most Consumers Research Online Before They Buy

Most Consumers Research Online Before They Buy

Two-thirds of online shoppers carry out internet-based research about retailers before making a purchase, yet only half of retailers actually monitor their own reputation, according to new research by 1 &1 Internet.

One in three consumers are willing to publish a review online, 44 per cent of men and 34 per cent of women frequently rely on independent star ratings and rankings, and one in four actively seek customer IT services commitments on retailers' web sites.



Yet online retailers seem to be ignoring the increasing importance to customers of online reviews, blogs and other information. Some 48 per cent of retailers said that they have no means to help influence or control their online reputation.