Web Personalization Is Tricky To Do Well
Web-based personalization efforts can backfire when done badly, and they work best when customers feel they are the ones controlling it and making the decisions about how it is used, according to Cognitiative Inc. of San Francisco.
Web personalization backfires when customers perceive that use of their personal information is being abused. Customers say that personalization can: feel intrusive, invade privacy, limit their options, and too often forces them down the wrong path.
For example, of the Web customers surveyed by Cognitiative, 32% dislike sales-oriented e-mail so much they actually avoid doing business with the sender, and 90% of Web customers prefer broad choice over vendor-controlled personalization.
On the positive side, respondents noted that they feel empowered by trusted vendors with whom they have a relationship, and that Web personalization and appropriate communications help them save time and broaden their exposure. Respondents said they like being able to design their own pages; control what information is presented to them; request information based on their specification; and link to other sites that interest them.
“It’s all an issue of control,” explains Laurie Windham, founder and chief executive officer of Cognitiative. “Online users feel very strongly about intrusive marketing practices, and are choosing via their keyboards with whom they do business.”
“Companies who recognize and work to further empower this new breed of customer will emerge as the winners in the new economy,” adds Ken Orton, chief strategist, e-business at Cognitiative.
The study also provided some interesting findings regarding how Web users find new sites.
Consumers discover/find new Web sites via word of mouth (100%), Web site links (83%), advertising (67%), magazine articles (61%), newspaper articles (50%), and conferences (17%).
Business users discover/find new Web sites via magazine articles (94%), Web site links (88%), advertising (76%), word of mouth (71%), newspaper articles (53%), and conferences (47%).
