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Top1. Introduction
Determining how to increase e-Loyalty by enhancing the shopping experiences for women online shoppers is a major issue faced by online retailers (Cyr, 2008). Research suggests that women online shoppers are more likely to revisit a website if the design and capabilities are appealing (Rosen & Purinton, 2004). E-Loyalty, which is an enduring psychological attachment to an online retailer, is manifested in customer attitudes and behaviors toward the e-tailer (Anderson & Srinivasan, 2003; Butcher et al., 2001) and thus, research that examines the elements that contribute to e-Loyalty should consider the impact of the psychological profile of online shoppers.
Questions surrounding online retail environments and how the effects of traditional in-store cues impact the shopper’s experience continue to emerge as the number of transactions increase (Eroglu, Machleit, & Davis, 2003). Emotions plan an important role in creating a positive online shopping experience as presented in previous research findings. This is particularly significant in relation to women online shoppers. Research suggests that they perceive websites differently than men and that women are generally more receptive to emotive or hedonic design elements embedded in the online experience (Cyr & Bonanni, 2005; Rodgers & Harris, 2003; Van Slyke, Comunale, & Belanger, 2002). Although Cyr et al. (2007) identifies this gender distinction in response to motive responses, many organizations do not currently consider these preferences in their website design.
Further, some research suggests that women are less likely to engage in transactions via the Internet and are overall less satisfied with their online shopping experiences (Garbarino & Strahilevitz, 2004; Rodgers & Harris, 2003). According to Moss and Gunn (2005), this lack of satisfaction may result from website designs that are not compatible with women’s design preferences. Thus, the inadequate emotional benefits as traditionally perceived by women may invoke less involvement in online shopping activity by women (Rodgers & Harris, 2003).
Interestingly, women’s online presence is significantly increasing so enhancing their customer satisfaction is extremely relevant for retailers. According to Phillips (2009), 106.3 million women or 51.8% of all Internet users are women, with an expected increase to 115.2 million women (52.1%) in 2013. In addition, women’s annual spending online is gradually increasing. To gain success with this target market, this data strongly suggests website designers must consider the preferences of women and examine in detail the elements that contribute to their perceptional differences (Cyr & Bonanni, 2005).