Companies which are trying to move from a traditional brick and mortar business model to one that recognizes that the consumer is on the internet need to change more than just their marketing plans. They have to completely change their business model.

The consumer behaves in a predictable manner on the internet, and the first to act companies in each niche are going to have a significant strategic advantage over those that wait until it is too late. The purpose of this article is to identify the three (3) stages of the internet buyer and to explore the activities and expectations at each of these stages.

Three Stages That Internet Buyers Undergo

1. Information Seekers

2. Comparison Shoppers

3. Ready Buyers

Information Seekers

The first stage of the buying process is referred to as \”information seeking.\” These buyers are just starting the process and are in no position or mood to make a purchase. Companies that attract buyers at this stage must know how to deliver the information necessary to retain them on site in order to further the sales process.

Often times, companies try to \”sell\” to the information seeker, and this results in a high bounce rate from the website and little or no sales. The information seeker is attempting to learn more about the product, service, industry, and process of buying, but they will not \”pull the trigger\” at this time.

We all understand that \”content is King,\” so a company with great content will attract many information seekers. Rather than try to sell them something, a company would be far wiser to enable a process that allows the information seeker to transition to the next stage, that of a comparison shopper.

Comparison Shoppers

Comparison shoppers have learned the basics of buying the product or service, and now they want more details that are specific to making a purchase decision. They want to explore the options and the features that their decision will require.

Comparison shoppers, like information seekers, are still not ready to buy, thus a company that tries to sell at this stage of the process will also encounter very poor conversion rates. A company website should encourage comparison shopping, and it requires different tools and data to enable this internet consumer to continue the process on the company website.

Ready Buyers

Ready buyers have done enough homework that they are prepared to make a purchase decision should the right emotional trigger be presented to them. This is the stage in the buying process that company websites need to tantalize the buyer with an incredible, awesome offer.

If the company has created a solid sales funnel, then selling to the ready buyer should be a natural continuation of the internet buying process. The ready buyer has all the information necessary and if the company\’s product or service has been presented in spectacular fashion, a sale will ensue.

The three stages of the internet buyer occur at different frequencies and on different timelines for various businesses, and it is the role of the internet marketing professional to learn and implement the solutions that mirror these timelines. Understanding these stages of buying on the internet can take a brick and mortar operation to incredible heights.

Author Bio: For the latest information on Internet Buyer Behavior, make certain to try out the following website TheInternetSqueeze.com before anywhere else.

Category: Internet
Keywords: Internet Buyer Behavior