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360° images boost 40% conversions, YouTube-Shopify boosts U.S. sales, fix 69% search

October 15, 2024

Hey there, eComm legend.

This week makes one thing clear: using 360° images and AI-driven personalization can really boost your eCommerce game. Better visuals mean higher conversions, and smarter search makes for smoother customer experiences. It’s all about using data to build stronger connections, drive sales, and cut down on returns—while keeping things simple and seamless for your shoppers.

In today’s agenda:

1) 360° product images boost add-to-cart by 22%.

2) Hack of the week: 6 steps to convert a single image into 360° video.

3) YouTube-Shopify partnership expands affiliate program.

4) Online shoppers go straight to the search bar, but it sucks.

— Alex & David

1) 360° product images boost add-to-cart by 22%

Maximizing Conversion: Research shows that 360° product images boost add-to-cart rates by 22% and increase conversions by up to 40%. They reduce cart abandonment, lower return rates by 4.7%, and improve customer engagement, making them a powerful tool for eCommerce growth.

Strategic Integration: You should maximize 360° images by adding them to your top-selling products. Use advanced analytics to track customer interactions and optimize for lower return rates.

Next Steps: AI-mature stores can use AI-generated imagery for 360° views to cut production costs (the next bullet point will show you how). Beginners should pilot with best-sellers to gauge impact before scaling.

2) Hack of the week: 6 steps to convert a single image into 360° video

When we were writing the previous bullet point, we had a moment—there’s really nothing out there made just for eCommerce owners to easily (and cheaply) create 360° videos from a single image. Honestly, that sucks.

But no worries, we’ve got you covered. We pulled together a simple, 6-step guide to help you DIY.

Download the free guide below and create your first 360° video 👇

Unlock 360° Product Views in 6 Easy Steps with AI.pdf2.47 MB • PDF File

3) YouTube-Shopify partnership expands affiliate program

Expanded Opportunities: YouTube and Shopify expanded their partnership, enabling U.S. Shopify Plus and Advanced merchants to join YouTube's Shopping affiliate program. In 2023, over 30 billion hours of shopping videos were watched, boosting brand collaboration and sales opportunities.

Optimizing Engagement: Shopify merchants should join the affiliate program and track performance with Google Merchant Center. Creators can boost reach by tagging products and tracking income through the Chrome extension.

Next Steps: If you are an eligible Shopify Plus and Advanced merchant in the U.S., you can now sign up for the program here, and follow the steps here to join through the Google & YouTube app on Shopify.

4) Online shoppers go straight to the search bar, but it sucks

Shoppers Pressure: Nearly 69% of online shoppers go straight to search bars, but 80% abandon due to poor results, highlighting the need for better personalized and accurate search functions in eCommerce.

Streamlining Engagement: Store owners can cut abandonment by fixing filter issues and improving categorization, which frustrate 27% of users. Personalization tools could boost spending by 48%, making it key for site optimization.

Next Steps: eComm leaders should start with AI tools like Nosto for recommendations and filters. Mature organizations can use real-time search analytics to refine user behavior and reduce drop-offs.

* Executive Cheat Sheet

360-degree product images: These are interactive product photos you can rotate to view from all angles, enhancing the online shopping experience and improving sales metrics.

Cart abandonment: It refers to when online shoppers add items to their cart but leave the site without completing the purchase.

AI-generated imagery: These are visuals created entirely by artificial intelligence, often more cost-effective and scalable than traditional photography.

Personalized search: A search system customized to the individual user’s preferences and behaviors to provide more relevant and accurate results.