Study reveals search engine importance in product research
A new survey of consumers has revealed just how important search engines can be in potential consumer purchases.
An Opinion Research poll revealed that 83 per cent of respondents admitted to seeking out "at least some level" of influence on products and services when they were shopping online.
These resources included customer written reviews, forums, message boards and blogs.
Some 70 per cent of those polled said that they "seek out" the information before they make a purchase and travel, recreation and leisure were at the top of the list of the services most researched.
A further 32 per cent claimed to have posted their own feedback on a product or service for other potential users.
Linda Shea of Opinion Research said: "Companies must be extremely mindful of the power of proliferating online forums and their ability to shape consumers’ perceptions about brands."
Online resource DM News has come to a similar conclusion, calling ratings and reviews an "integral" part of e-commerce over the last ten years.
