Science Says logo
Science Says
PlatformPlaybooksAbout
Subscribe
  • Science Says
  • Topics
  • Ecommerce

Ecommerce

Customer ExperienceReviewsPromotionsB2CSalesAds B2BBrand & StrategyRetail StoreProductSocial MediaPricingPackagingEcommerceMessaging & CopyInsightWebsite/App
Customer ExperienceCustomer Experience
+3+3
Ask users to register at the start (not the end)
Jan 27, 2026

Ask users to register at the start (not the end)

Prompt people to register at the start of their shopping experience (not at the end, or at checkout). They will be more likely to do so, and later spend up to 13% more.

Thomas McKinlay
Thomas McKinlay
Customer ExperienceCustomer Experience
+2+2
Let people keep their returns
Jan 20, 2026

Let people keep their returns

When customers want to return a product, refund it while letting them keep it. They will be up to 2x more likely to buy again.

Thomas McKinlay
Thomas McKinlay
PromotionsPromotions
+5+5
Reassure, don’t pressure people on product pages
Nov 07, 2023

Reassure, don’t pressure people on product pages

Pressuring nudges (e.g. only 3 left!) are effective but increased product returns by 69%. Use reassuring nudges instead (e.g. this product is perfect for you)

Thomas McKinlay
Thomas McKinlay
ReviewsReviews
+4+4
The big impact of a single negative review
Oct 24, 2023

The big impact of a single negative review

Seeing just one negative review, among positive reviews, is enough to make people 42% less likely to buy a product.

Thomas McKinlay
Thomas McKinlay
B2CB2C
+4+4
Keep empty space around your products in online ads
May 09, 2023

Keep empty space around your products in online ads

Ad clicks were 3x higher when items were placed close together in the center, with plenty of white space around the edges

Thomas McKinlay
Thomas McKinlay
B2CB2C
+5+5
Show multiple copies of your product
Jan 17, 2023

Show multiple copies of your product

Don’t display your product alone. Show it alongside copies of itself. People will perceive it as more effective, both when deciding to buy it and when using it.

Thomas McKinlay
Thomas McKinlay
Customer ExperienceCustomer Experience
+4+4
When to use horizontal vs vertical product layouts
Jul 26, 2022

When to use horizontal vs vertical product layouts

Horizontal product displays on websites make people choose higher quality, more expensive products. Vertical displays encourage choice of cheaper options.

B2CB2C
+2+2
Offer free returns to boost customer trust
Jun 28, 2022
Premium

Offer free returns to boost customer trust

Free returns aren’t profitable in the short-term, but they are the cost of doing business if you want customers to buy from you again.

B2CB2C
+4+4
Use quantity-focused CTAs
Jun 21, 2022
Premium

Use quantity-focused CTAs

Conversions increased 14% and total sales 28% when call-to-action (CTA) buttons directly asked people to decide about quantity (e.g. “Buy 1” vs “Buy 2” vs “Buy 3”).

B2CB2C
+3+3
When to retarget users who abandoned carts
Jul 15, 2021
Premium

When to retarget users who abandoned carts

Customers abandon products in their online shopping carts all the time. Wait 1-3 days to remind them and boost sales. If you remind them too early your message backfires.

B2CB2C
+4+4
Uppercase brand names feel more premium
May 04, 2021

Uppercase brand names feel more premium

UPPERCASE brand names feel more premium, and people looking for high-end products are more likely to buy them. Mixed or lowercase names feel more mainstream.

B2CB2C
+4+4
When to use AI vs humans to give product recommendations
Jan 19, 2021
Premium

When to use AI vs humans to give product recommendations

People prefer AI-based recommendations for practical products (e.g. a dishwasher), and human recommendations for experiential and sensory products (e.g. a holiday).

3-min marketing recommendations from the latest scientific research. Join 30,000+ marketers, for $0.

Science Says

3-min marketing recommendations from the latest scientific research. Join 30,000+ marketers, for $0.

Home

Posts

Authors

Account

Upgrade

Platform

Platform

© 2026 Science Says.

Privacy policy

Terms of use

Powered by beehiiv