Influence of Avatars on Online Consumer Shopping Behavior

An impediment to Web-based retail sales is the impersonal nature of Web-based shopping. A solution to this problem is to use an avatar to deliver product information. An avatar is a graphic representation that can be animated by means of computer technology. Study 1 shows that using an avatar sales agent leads to more satisfaction with the retailer, a more positive attitude toward the product, and a greater purchase intention. Study 2 shows that an attractive avatar is a more effective sales agent at moderate levels of product involvement, but an expert avatar is a more effective sales agent at high levels of product involvement.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• avatars
• conversion
• rate
• electronic
• commerce
• Internet
• shopping
• persuasion
• Bauer
• Neumann
• Janiszewski