Why the Shopper Journey is the Key to Success in Q4

intent.ly's head of strategic growth Moneil Patel shares his thoughts on how to optimise your website for conversions and ROI for success this peak season.

In a year marked by economic challenges such as higher inflation and increased interest rates, businesses need every advantage they can get. By prioritising shopper journey optimisation through CRO and website personalisation, you equip yourself to navigate a competitive landscape successfully. Don't wait; start enhancing your digital presence today to reap the rewards tomorrow.

As the final quarter of the year approaches, the retail and e-commerce world gears up for a frenzy of activity. Q4 presents a golden opportunity for businesses to harness the power of Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) and website personalisation. In this article, we'll explore why these strategies are crucial for success during the peak season and provide a step-by-step action plan, along with essential tools and techniques.

Why Prioritise CRO and Website Personalisation in Q4?

Q4 is an exceptional period for businesses, characterised by intense competition and a surge in consumer activity. Retailers invest substantial resources in driving traffic through digital advertising and affiliate channels. However, standing out in this competitive landscape demands a superior customer journey that leads to increased website conversion rates and maximised Return on Advertising Spend (ROAS).


The Primary Objectives in Q4

One of the primary objectives in Q4 is acquiring new customers. Shoppers actively seek deals and discounts during this season, but they also face an abundance of choices. The real opportunity lies in transforming these Q4 customers into loyal, long-term patrons. The key to achieving this goal lies in the quality of the customer journey offered on your website.


Think of the Online Customer Journey During Q4 as Equivalent to an In-Store Shopping Experience

Think of the online customer journey during Q4 as equivalent to an in-store shopping experience. When a customer walks into a physical store bustling with shoppers, they expect a personalised, engaging, and value-driven interaction. They want to feel valued, not like just another face in the crowd. This expectation remains unchanged online, and fortunately, website technologies offer numerous tools for achieving this level of personalisation, including overlays, emails, notifications, and other innovative solutions.

• Customer Retention: Positive experiences during Q4 can convert first-time shoppers into loyal customers. Optimising their journey can leave a lasting impression that encourages them to return long after the holiday season.
• Competitive Edge: With competition among retailers at its peak, offering an exceptional shopper journey can differentiate your brand. Customers are more likely to choose and stick with businesses that make their experience memorable.
• Maximising Conversions: Every visitor during Q4 is a potential customer. Ensuring that your site's journey is finely tuned for conversion can significantly impact revenue during this critical period.
• Cost Efficiency: Improving conversion rates optimises your spend on acquiring traffic, resulting in better return on advertising spend.

• Identify Your Goals: Determine what you want to achieve with CRO and website personalisation. Is it to increase sales, leads, or sign-ups? Once you've set clear goals, you can develop a strategic plan.
• Analyse Website Traffic and Data: Utilise analytics tools to understand how visitors interact with your website and campaigns. This analysis will help you identify areas for improvement.
• Develop Hypotheses: Based on your analysis, create hypotheses about changes that can enhance your conversion rate.
• Test Your Hypotheses: Implement A/B testing to assess different versions of your website and campaigns, determining which ones perform best.
• Measure and Optimise: Continuously track the results of your testing and make adjustments accordingly.

• CRO Platform: intent.ly is a powerful CRO platform that helps businesses personalise a shopper's journey and increase conversions. It offers features such as split testing, personalisation, segmentation, and analytics.
• Other CRO tools and techniques: Explore options like heatmaps, session recordings, and customer surveys to gain deeper insights.

• Leverage Customer Data: Segment your visitors and deliver targeted messages and offers based on customer data.
• Streamline Navigation: Make it easy for customers to find what they're looking for with clear navigation and search functionality.
• Use Social Proof: Showcase customer testimonials, reviews, and social media engagement to build trust and credibility.
• Create Urgency: Employ limited-time offers and discounts to create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to purchase.

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, now is the time to start planning your campaigns. intent.ly helps you to analyse shopper insights, and offer solutions and strategies to target them at all stages of the purchase funnel. Book a call to learn more or get in touch with your account manager today.