Article

7min read

From Search to Checkout: 10 Data-Driven E-commerce Trends for 2025 

E-commerce has completely changed the way shoppers interact with their favorite brands.

From the continued rise of mobile commerce to virtual-reality try-on tools and AI customer service, some consumer trends have proven to be evergreen while others fall out of fashion in a season. As e-commerce marketers, it can be hard to know when to chase a trend or stick to being consistent. 

To help you better understand the mind of today’s consumers, we’ve broken down 10 key insights for e-commerce from our 2025 global report. Based on feedback from 4,000 consumers across the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, and Australia, this snapshot reveals how people discover new products, engage with AI, make purchase decisions, and much more.

1. Google Search is the first place for discovery

When it comes to starting an online shopping journey, Google Search is still king. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of global shoppers begin their hunt for a new product or service with a Google search. 

This underscores the ongoing importance of SEO for e-commerce brands. If your product pages aren’t optimized, you risk missing out on a massive audience at the very first step of their journey.

2. Mobile takes over, but desktop still matters

By the end of 2024, smartphones accounted for nearly 80% of global retail site traffic and over two-thirds of online orders. Mobile is now the primary device for browsing and purchasing in categories like clothing, cosmetics, and entertainment. 

However, desktop still plays a significant role in sectors such as travel and utilities, especially among older generations. Brands should continue to prioritize mobile-first design, but not neglect the desktop experience—especially for high-consideration purchases.

3. Millennials vs. Gen Z: Mobile app habits

Generational differences are shaping the future of e-commerce. For Gen Z, mobile apps are the second most popular starting point for shopping (48%), just behind Google. Millennials, on the other hand, split their preference between apps and brand websites (both at 35%). This means younger shoppers are more likely to use apps for discovery, while Millennials are equally comfortable with apps and direct website visits. 

Brands need more than just a mobile presence to capture Gen Z’s attention. They need apps built for exploration, speed, and flexibility. With Feature Experimentation and Rollouts from AB Tasty, teams can continuously test and optimize in-app experiences without a full redeploy, ensuring their app evolves alongside user expectations.

4. Comparison shoppers lead the pack

Not all online shoppers are the same. Our research found that the most common shopper persona is “comparison-oriented”—30% of respondents compare multiple products before making a purchase. Only 11% identify as “speedy” shoppers who want to check out as quickly as possible. The rest fall somewhere in between, with 21% being “review-oriented,” 20% “confident,” and 18% “detail-oriented.” This diversity highlights the need for flexible site experiences that cater to different decision-making styles.

If one size doesn’t fit all, then understanding your audience is the first step to building experiences that truly convert.

5. Reviews are more influential than discounts or brand names

When it comes to influencing purchase decisions, high-quality reviews top the list globally. Shoppers trust peer validation more than discounts, convenience, or even brand names. Written testimonials and customer photos are especially valued, providing the authenticity and detail shoppers crave. 

Make sure your reviews are visible, filterable, and packed with real customer insights to boost trust and conversions.

E-commerce moves fast. Get the insights that help you move faster. Download the 2025 report now.

6. The pop-up problem hurting conversions

Think you’re converting more by hitting new visitors with an email sign-up pop-up right away? Think again.

Too many pop-ups are the number one frustration for online shoppers worldwide, followed closely by slow-loading websites and difficulty finding products. While pop-ups can be effective for capturing leads or promoting offers, overuse can drive customers away. Use them strategically and ensure your site is fast and easy to navigate to keep shoppers engaged.

7. Loyalty is the key to better personalization

Personalization is more than just a buzzword—it’s a key driver of customer satisfaction and loyalty. The top way to make online shopping feel more personal, according to 35% of respondents, is by rewarding brand loyalty. Remembering preferences and suggesting relevant products also rank highly. 

Brands that recognize and reward repeat customers with exclusive perks or early access to new products can turn shoppers into advocates.

8. AI adoption is growing, especially among younger shoppers

AI-powered tools like chatbots and virtual assistants are gaining traction, but there’s still room for improvement. Just under a quarter (23%) of shoppers have used AI tools and found them helpful, while 32% haven’t tried them but are open to it. Younger generations are more receptive: 32% of Gen Z and 30% of Millennials found AI tools helpful, compared to just 13% of Baby Boomers. 

To win over skeptics, brands need to ensure AI support is fast, relevant, and seamlessly integrated with human assistance.

9. Shoppers just want frictionless experiences

When asked what would most improve their online shopping experience, the top answer was simple: removing frustrations like pop-ups, bugs, and broken pages. Tracking shipping, improving product search, and speeding up the shopping process were also highly valued. 

Before investing in flashy features, brands should focus on getting the basics right—smooth, intuitive journeys are what keep customers coming back.

10. The gap between personalization and perception

Personalization is supposed to make shoppers feel seen—but only 1 in 10 consumers say their favorite brands truly “get” them. In fact, the most common answer was “somewhat,” as 39% of respondents said the messages and offers they receive are hit or miss. Another 34% said brands mostly deliver relevant content, but not always. For the majority, the digital experience feels inconsistent. 

When personalization doesn’t land, it can come off as surface-level or even off-putting. The takeaway? Personalization isn’t just about using data—it’s about using it meaningfully, so relevance feels intentional, not accidental.

Conclusion

The bar for digital shopping experiences keeps rising, and today’s consumers are quicker than ever to click away when expectations aren’t met.

From discovery to checkout, each step in the customer journey has the potential to shape customer loyalty and long-term value. Our 2025 E-commerce Consumer report dives even deeper into generational trends, regional differences, and actionable strategies for optimizing your digital experience.

Ready to future-proof your e-commerce strategy? Download our report “Decoding Online Shopping: Consumer Trends for E-commerce in 2025” now.

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Article

9min read

Heatmaps: Your Team’s Secret Weapon for Uncovering Website Gold

What are heatmaps? (and why your team needs them)

Think of heatmaps as your website’s truth-teller. They’re visual snapshots showing exactly where visitors click, scroll, and linger. No guesswork required.

Here’s how they work: Warm colors (reds, oranges) highlight the hotspots where users engage most. Cool colors (blues, greens) reveal the overlooked zones that might need attention.

The best part? Your visitors do all the heavy lifting. They show you what’s working and what’s not, so your team can make changes that actually move the needle.

Spot the signals: When to bring heatmaps into play

Heatmaps aren’t just pretty pictures—they’re your optimization toolkit’s MVP. Here’s how they deliver the biggest impact:

Measuring real engagement

Writing content that no one reads? Heatmaps show you exactly where readers drop off. If only 10% of visitors reach your CTA, it’s time to shake things up.

Tracking what matters: Actions

Are people clicking where you want them to? Heatmaps reveal if visitors complete your desired actions—or where they’re getting stuck instead.

Highlighting where attention sticks (and slips)

What grabs your attention first? What images distract from your main message? Heatmaps answer these questions so you can double down on what works.

Once you have these insights, bigger questions become easier to tackle:

  • Where should we place our most important content?
  • How can we use images and videos more effectively?
  • What’s pulling attention away from our goals?

The essential heatmap lineup every team needs

Most modern heatmap tools offer multiple views of user behavior. We partner closely with some of the major players already. Let’s break down the most common ones you’ll come across.

Click Heatmaps: The Action Tracker

These maps show every click on your page, with dense concentrations appearing as bright white areas surrounded by warm colors. Think of them as your conversion reality check.

What it tells you: Whether people click where you want them to—or if they’re trying to click non-clickable elements that look interactive.

How to use it: Look for clicks scattered around non-interactive text or images. These “frustrated clicks” signal design problems. If users are clicking on underlined text that isn’t a link, or images they expect to be clickable, you need to either make those elements functional or redesign them to look less interactive.

Pro tip: Compare click density on your primary CTA versus other page elements. If secondary elements are getting more clicks than your main conversion button, it’s time to redesign your visual hierarchy.

Scroll Heatmaps: The Attention Meter

See how far down visitors scroll and what percentage of users reach each section of your page. This is crucial for understanding whether your important content is actually being seen.

What it tells you: If users actually see your important content or bail before reaching your CTA. Most importantly, it shows you the “fold line”—where 50% of users stop scrolling.

How to use it: Identify the scroll percentage where you lose half your audience, then ensure all critical elements (value propositions, CTAs, key benefits) appear above that line. If your main CTA is only seen by 20% of visitors, move it higher or add secondary CTAs above the fold.

Pro tip: Use scroll maps to optimize content length. If 80% of users stop reading halfway through your blog post, either shorten the content or add more engaging elements (images, subheadings, interactive elements) to keep them scrolling.

Click Percentage Maps: The Element Analyzer

This view breaks down clicks by specific elements, showing exactly how many people clicked each button, image, or link as a percentage of total visitors.

What it tells you: Which elements deserve prime real estate and which ones are dead weight. You’ll see precise engagement rates for every clickable element on your page.

How to use it: Rank your page elements by click percentage to understand what’s actually driving engagement. If your newsletter signup gets 15% clicks but your main product CTA only gets 3%, you might need to redesign your primary call-to-action or reconsider your page goals.

Pro tip: Use this data to inform A/B tests. If one button consistently outperforms others, test applying its design (color, size, copy) to underperforming elements.

Confetti Maps: The Individual Click Tracker

Instead of showing click density, these maps display each individual click as a colored dot. Perfect for spotting users trying to click non-clickable areas or understanding click patterns in detail.

What it tells you: Where to add functionality or remove confusion. Each dot represents a real user’s intent to interact with something on your page.

How to use it: Look for clusters of dots over non-interactive elements—these represent frustrated users trying to click things that don’t work. Also watch for dots scattered far from any actual buttons or links, which might indicate responsive design issues or accidental clicks.

Pro tip: Filter confetti maps by traffic source or user segment. Mobile users might have different click patterns than desktop users, and organic traffic might behave differently than paid traffic.

Mobile-Specific Heatmaps: The Touch Tracker

Modern tools capture mobile-specific actions like taps, swipes, pinches, and multi-touch gestures—because mobile behavior is fundamentally different from desktop.

What it tells you: How to optimize for the majority of your traffic (since mobile often dominates). Mobile users have different interaction patterns, attention spans, and conversion behaviors.

How to use it: Create separate heatmaps for mobile and desktop traffic. Mobile users typically scroll faster, have shorter attention spans, and interact differently with buttons and forms. Use this data to optimize button sizes, reduce form fields, and adjust content layout for mobile-first experiences.

Pro tip: Pay special attention to thumb-reach zones on mobile heatmaps. Elements that are easy to tap with a thumb (bottom third of screen, right side for right-handed users) typically get higher engagement rates.

Learn more about best practices for designing for mobile experiences with our Mobile Optimization Guide.

Eyes vs. clicks: Understanding the key differences

While heatmaps track mouse movements and clicks, eye-tracking follows actual gaze patterns. Eye-tracking gives deeper insights but requires specialized equipment most teams don’t have.

The good news? AI-powered tools like Feng-Gui and EyeQuant now simulate eye-tracking through algorithms, making this technology more accessible.

Bottom line: Start with heatmaps. They’re easier to implement and give you actionable insights right away.

Features that make or break your heatmapping game

Not all heatmap tools are created equal. Here’s what your team should prioritize:

Must-have features:

  • Audience Segmentation: Create maps for specific user groups (new vs. returning visitors, mobile vs. desktop)
  • Map Comparison: Easily compare results across different segments
  • Page Templates: Aggregate data for similar page types (crucial for e-commerce sites)
  • Mobile Optimization: Track touch, scroll, and swipe behaviors
  • Export Capabilities: Share results with your team effortlessly
  • Dynamic Element Tracking: Capture interactions with dropdowns, sliders, and AJAX-loaded content
  • Historical Data: Preserve old heatmaps even after design changes

Test smarter with heatmap insights

Here’s where things get exciting. Heatmaps show you the problems, but how do you know if your fixes actually work?

Enter A/B testing.

This three-step approach turns insights into results:

  • Identify problems with heatmaps
  • Test potential solutions with A/B testing
  • Choose the highest-performing solution based on data

Real Example:

Nonprofit UNICEF France wanted to better understand how visitors perceived its homepage ahead of a major redesign.

Their move: UNICEF France combined on-site surveys with heatmapping to gather both qualitative feedback and visual behavioral data.

The result: Heatmaps showed strong engagement with the search bar, while surveys confirmed it was seen as the most useful element. Less-used features, like social share icons, were removed in the redesign—resulting in a cleaner, more user-focused homepage.

Continue reading this case study

Connect the dots and act with confidence

Ready to put heatmaps to work? Here’s your game plan:

Start small. Pick one high-traffic page and run your first heatmap analysis.

Look for patterns. Are users clicking where you expect? Scrolling to your key content? Getting stuck somewhere?

Test your hunches. Use A/B testing to validate any changes before rolling them out site-wide.

Iterate forward. Heatmaps aren’t a one-and-done tool but part of your ongoing optimization process.

Remember: every click tells a story. Every scroll reveals intent. Your visitors are already showing you how to improve—you just need to listen.


Ready to see what your visitors are really doing? Heatmaps give you the insights. A/B testing helps you act on them. Together, they’re your path to better conversions and happier users.