California, Georgia residents big on online impulse buys

When it comes to online shopping, businesses have become adept at guiding customers from their first click all the way to the checkout. But the effectiveness of these strategies varies significantly depending on where the customers are from. According to a recent survey of 3,000 online marketers by HostingAdvice, some state's residents are more likely to get seduced by the siren call of the ‘Buy Now’ button than others.

Where the cart fills itself: The survey shows that online marketers consider Georgians as 'easy pickings', easily persuaded to part with their dollars. In fact, online shoppers from The Peach State are considered the thirteenth easiest to sell to nationwide. However, Californians are the most likely to make quick, impulsive purchases online. Following close behind are folks from Florida and Texas. On the other end of the spectrum, Wyoming's shoppers are likened by marketing executives to the mindful budgeters of the online shopping world.

The survey also shed light on the drivers behind these quick decisions. In Georgia, labeled as marketer’s gold mine, almost half of the consumers surveyed barely take a few minutes to go from browsing to buying. In the grand scheme of things, 26% of purchases were not even included in the original shopping list - they were impulse buys.

The survey also identified the drivers behind these quick decisions. Marketers noted that discounts and sales are the main culprits, luring 44% of Georgians into the impulse buy zone. Free shipping also has its charm, convincing a substantial share of shoppers to finalize a purchase. Meanwhile, social media and word-of-mouth from friends or family each play their part.

The prime time for impromptu buying? That would be 12:57 PM, suggesting there's something about lunch breaks that loosens the grip on our wallets.

Lastly, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it's the younger crowds, specifically those aged 18 to 24, who are most prone to spontaneous shopping, with those aged 25 to 34 following closely. In contrast, the group aged 55 to 64 shows a markedly more deliberate approach to online shopping, with only 4% engaging in impulse buys.