Comparison shopping engines are a valuable resource for any consumer. They allow you to determine not only your ‘cheapest’ options, but a variety of comparable options that fit a range of styles similar to the item you’ve searched for. Best of all, comparison shopping gives you the opportunity to be as informed of a consumer as possible, which means you can feel good about the money you’re spending. So, you want to know all about comparison shopping engines and the distinction between free vs.paid CSE’s, or what the difference is between CSE’s and online marketplaces? Here’s a guide, to spell it all out for you in simple terms.
Knowing the Difference
First, comparison shopping engines are intended to display a variety of choices for the online consumer. If someone searches for ‘oversized mirrors’ for example, your search won’t just become limited to the cheapest mirror options. You’ll also receive search results on a variety of mirror styles, colors, and reviews from customers that purchased mirrors from many different vendors. Online marketplaces are a little bit more controlled, and are a platform for specific merchants to sell their items there. One of the most popular online marketplaces is Amazon.com.
Amazon sells books, electronics, clothes, household products, and their own ‘Amazon’ trademark products, such as the Kindle. Marketplaces don’t give you as comprehensive of a search result for the item you want because they only work with specific vendors – ie ,independent buyers, and companies who have a contract with the marketplace, but on the same token, there are many cheap options for the consumer who wants the lowest price while still having good quality.
What’s In It For Them?
Both comparison shopping engines and marketplaces have a ‘larger picture’ goal. By providing broad results for the item you want, it allows them to bring the website to you, and generate your business. Whether Black Friday is around the corner, or the holiday season is approaching; Valentine’s Day is coming up or they want to target a larger clientele for Back to School in September, comparison shopping engines want your business to boost up their revenue.
Comparison shopping engines are also a great marketing strategy. As a consumer, what’s more attractive and enticing that seeing an array of choices available to you in price, style, color, brand and eve past reviews from users like you who loved their purchase? For many customers, it just takes one great review of a product they loved and live by to sell. It only takes one designer handbag or best-selling book, or designer mattress to make them a permanent customer, and one that refers other customers to the website as a result. Comparison shopping engines are simple and genius, actually: a all-in-one place that allows you to see your choices, and even see what’s available to you that you never considered, with the price you need.
Setting Yourself Up For CSE Success
There are free and paid comparison shopping engines. Free engines are found in Google Product Search or Bing. They provide you directly to your searchable item and without an emphasis spend on ad marketing. If you’re new to comparison shopping engines, or just want to fine tune your website to receive better results for its consumers, try the following:
- Start with free searches, such as Google Product Search.
- Follow the comparison shopping engine’s guidelines, so that you can improve your sales.
- Incorporate SEO. Does your website need an optimization facelift? If so, think about making your site as visible as possible so you can attract more consumers.
Do you need some more tips and suggestions to get you started on CSE’s? Call the professionals at Informatics Commerce . They can handle all of your questions and concerns, and are pros at improving your site’s eCommerce visibility, as well as creating unique web content and design.