The present scenario is nothing like it was before. Remember the statements passed by our elder generation in certain situations like, they used to walk miles and miles to go to college, we used to spend money effectively etc. Well, right now, how much of these statements in the changing scenario are relevant can be strongly debated.
Technology is playing a very important role in our day to day life and every one relies on technology in some way or the other. It has become quite indispensable Online purchase of things is one activity commonly seen among many people nowadays. They prefer purchasing online rather than going out and exploring. The time involved in purchase when they go out and shop must be one of the main factors behind this action. A recent study was conducted by Google India and Nielsen on this online purchasing behavior of consumers. Their main objective was to check the impact of online research on the buying behavior of customers.
It was a very interesting study for that matter. The study was done in various fields to check which sector had the highest rate of visitors as everything is available on the web platform and people nowadays have more confidence in approaching various websites more than that of approaching the dealers directly. Let’s take cars for an example. According to the study conducted by Google and Nielsen, it was found that in India, half of the car lovers or prospective buyers go for an online research before visiting the dealers.
On the other hand, people also tend to change their consideration for new brands after doing online research. Internet based research is fast becoming s a very powerful tool in car purchase. It is like an assurance that people get that sustains their belief. They find it more informative and creative and a way of getting less cheated when buying the product. By the study conducted by Google and Nielsen, It was found that 72% of the online users have named the car makers websites as the most trustworthy. Like what was earlier said, they find it as an appropriate source of information.
This study was done by directly interacting with consumers and finding out their perception about online purchase. Google has come out with the “Top 10” list of the most searched car launches in 2011. According to that list, Hyundai Eon was on the top of the list followed by Honda Brio and Mahindra XUV 500. These results were based on queries that were raised about 13 weeks from the launch of the cars. The other brands which figured in the list were the following:
- Maruti
- Tata Motors
- Chevrolet
- Ford
- VW
- Hyundai
- Honda
If online research could make such big revenue for the Automobile industry, imagine what online research could make for the other companies as well. Let’s see if this phenomenon is just a fad or this is an indication of changing buying behavior of people in the times to come.
