Retail giant ditches their "Buy Now" button. Interesting...

16 replies
Hey folks,

I was just browsing eBay and I noticed that they've changed their Buy Now button to an "Add To Basket" button...



I'm not sure if this is just in the UK or not, or even how long it's been like this, but it's definitely a
another sign that the big corps are clearly testing all the time, and take copywriting as seriously as the little guy whose bread and butter depends on a good direct response.

The fact that they've changed this button is either an indication that they're testing on a wide scale, or they've found increased conversions with this button already, and are now rolling it out officially.

Either way, it's an interesting insight into simple tweaks and how they affect consumer behaviour.

Sure, most folks are aware of the "Add To Cart" craze of late, but this kinda gives it that authoritative weight, at least, in my opinion. After all, we're talking about the biggest retailer in the world here.

Says an awful lot, doesn't it?
#big #boys #button #buy #interesting #observation
  • Profile picture of the author Aussie_Al
    Just checked ebay.com - still showing Buy it now

    perhaps its only with e-tailers? and not general auctions

    either way - well spotted !
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  • Profile picture of the author rhinopower
    What a ?@#$ up.

    Rhino
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    • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
      Originally Posted by Aussie_Al View Post

      Just checked ebay.com - still showing Buy it now

      perhaps its only with e-tailers? and not general auctions

      either way - well spotted !
      I should clarify, this is for buy it now item listings, not auctions. But apart from that, maybe it's not a global change yet? After all, Americans say "Cart" where the Brits say "Basket."

      Originally Posted by rhinopower View Post

      What a ?@#$ up.

      Rhino
      Pardon?
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      • Profile picture of the author ARSuarez
        Originally Posted by Nick Brighton View Post

        I should clarify, this is for buy it now item listings, not auctions. But apart from that, maybe it's not a global change yet? After all, Americans say "Cart" where the Brits say "Basket."

        Hey Nick,

        That's what I think. This might just be regional to see if they can increase purchases by using more natural lingo for the UK market.

        Best,

        Angel
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        • Profile picture of the author Aussie_Al
          Originally Posted by ARSuarez View Post

          Hey Nick,

          That's what I think. This might just be regional to see if they can increase purchases by using more natural lingo for the UK market.

          Best,

          Angel
          Angel - you are probably right
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  • Profile picture of the author DanielleLynnCopy
    Interesting... basket purchasing at ebay. I'm thinking Angel may be right though, appeal to the lingo of the area to increase sales.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vincenzo Oliva
    I always preferred "GET IT NOW" vs "BUY NOW". "Buy" reminds them they're spending money, "GET" tells them they're receiving something.
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    • Profile picture of the author virginiad
      "Add to basket", or "add to cart", implies that you may be buying more than one thing. I wonder if that wording encourages people to "keep shopping", whereas "buy now" is usually for a single purchase.

      Virginia
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      • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
        Originally Posted by Vincenzo Oliva View Post

        I always preferred "GET IT NOW" vs "BUY NOW". "Buy" reminds them they're spending money, "GET" tells them they're receiving something.
        Originally Posted by virginiad View Post

        "Add to basket", or "add to cart", implies that you may be buying more than one thing. I wonder if that wording encourages people to "keep shopping", whereas "buy now" is usually for a single purchase.

        Virginia
        Two great points. There's been a huge rise in people using the Add To Cart button on their order links, vs the standard Buy Now text.

        I believe one person in this industry brought this to the little guy marketer's attention more than anyone else, and that was Perry Belcher.

        (I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it was him.)

        He's not the first obviously, but he did a lot of testing in certain markets like Make Money Online etc, and apparently his Add To Cart button pulled in more sales than a Buy Now button.

        Again, this result is probably due to the same reasons you guys have pointed out above.
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        • Profile picture of the author Collette
          Must be a regional thing because I had a quick look and in the U.S. it's still "buy now". Oddly, if I pull up the U.K. site (my IP originates from the U.S.) I still get "buy now".

          Curiouser and curiouser.
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      • Profile picture of the author ARSuarez
        Originally Posted by Vincenzo Oliva View Post

        I always preferred "GET IT NOW" vs "BUY NOW". "Buy" reminds them they're spending money, "GET" tells them they're receiving something.
        I'd love to test "Invest Now" vs. "Buy Now" vs "Get Now" vs "Add to Cart" vs "Order Now"

        I'm sure you're familiar with the selling tactic of repositioning the purchase an investment in X (whatever the subject). I'm not sure if it would dramatically impact sales that far in the letter, but who knows.

        The Belcher Button (Add to Cart and the other details) had a pretty significant effect on sales, if I'm not mistaken.

        Originally Posted by virginiad View Post

        "Add to basket", or "add to cart", implies that you may be buying more than one thing. I wonder if that wording encourages people to "keep shopping", whereas "buy now" is usually for a single purchase.

        Virginia
        I like the theory. I think "Add to Cart" might also feel less salesy than "Buy Now." Usually, you see "Add to Cart" on catalog pages, Wal-Mart pages, etc. Things that really don't try hard to sell you - just present products, brief descriptions, and let you do what you wish.

        It might be mental association and makes the whole purchase less intimidating.

        Originally Posted by Aussie_Al View Post

        Angel - you are probably right
        Thanks!

        Originally Posted by DanielleLynnCopy View Post

        Interesting... basket purchasing at ebay. I'm thinking Angel may be right though, appeal to the lingo of the area to increase sales.
        I like the idea, and wonder if it has had any effect on conversion.

        It's pretty much rooted in this concept: never use jargon unless it reinforces the seller's credibility and strength of the product. (And of course, the jargon is recognized by MOST of the market)

        Using it here makes it feel more like a simple "at home" purchase. Similar to the theory I shared with Virginia just a moment ago.

        Regards all,

        Angel
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        • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
          I heard that, in Australia, they were gonna start testing "Add To Pouch" - lol
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          • Profile picture of the author PMinc
            I always keep an eye on this site to see what minor tweaks large e-tailers are making: Anne Holland's Which Test Won – A/B Test & Multivariate Testing Education for Marketing Professionals
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            • Profile picture of the author ARSuarez
              Originally Posted by John Breese View Post

              I always keep an eye on this site to see what minor tweaks large e-tailers are making: Anne Holland's Which Test Won - A/B Test & Multivariate Testing Education for Marketing Professionals
              That's a fantastic websites. The reports she offers are well worth reading.

              Best,

              Angel
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              • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
                Doesn't surprise me...subtlety can be really powerful when it comes to the close. When I was doing sales in person, we never said: "Sign the agreement/contract"...it was always "Need your John Hancock right here please." It was never, "This costs____," it was always "The investment is_____."

                It's impressive, as much as people LOVE to spend money, they're repulsed by the words: buy, cost, price, selling etc.
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                • Profile picture of the author ARSuarez
                  Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

                  Doesn't surprise me...subtlety can be really powerful when it comes to the close. When I was doing sales in person, we never said: "Sign the agreement/contract"...it was always "Need your John Hancock right here please." It was never, "This costs____," it was always "The investment is_____."

                  It's impressive, as much as people LOVE to spend money, they're repulsed by the words: buy, cost, price, selling etc.
                  Amen.

                  When I was selling security systems, we never said "Sign the Agreement/Contract," it was always, "Mr. Adams, your investment today is just $99. And all I need is your autograph right here, please."

                  People really liked the autograph thing. Make a lot of them smile.

                  Great stuff.

                  Best,

                  Angel
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