Comments on: Small Business Trends Results

By: Colin Y.J. Chung

Colin Y.J. Chung — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:56:56 +0000

This really surprised me because I hate avatars… however I wonder what would happen if you use the exact same audio message in a video of the real person instead.

So instead of static picture vs. avatar video… we test live person video vs. avatar video.

By: NatalieM

NatalieM — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:24:13 +0000

Sure, Mike. The test was conducted about a year and a half ago. The site had some contributors then, so it’s not as if the 70 contributors appeared overnight. Hope this helps! Thanks for your interest!

Natalie
Senior Reporter
WhichTestWon.com

By: Frank

Frank — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:47:34 +0000

I usually scramble for the “stop” button when talking avatars and ads start up (if I even have the volume turned on). However, when a person (Michael) walked onto my computer screen recently, it got my attention in a positive way. I’ve only seen it once (http://bluepenguindevelopment.com/). Perhaps a split test with this vs. the avatar?

By: Tiffany Jonas

Tiffany Jonas — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:45:21 +0000

So true… there’s no faster way to get me to click away from a website than to auto-start a talking head (or talking anything) the instant I arrive at a website. I appreciate the courtesy when a website allows me to press “play” if I want to hear it.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:20:10 +0000

Can you provide us with the dates in regards to this case’s data? Sounds very old if this website is now 70 people instead of one…

By: Bill Broadbent

Bill Broadbent — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 05:46:37 +0000

I had the opposite effect in a test of video with the same audio and the avatar – the video killed the avatar. Always Be Testing.

By: Mark Fishgrab

Mark Fishgrab — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:24:12 +0000

I don’t mind a brief comment or whatever similar to the Sitepal avatars. I hate entering a site and being blasted by music or the “cool” flash video the CEO loved.

By: Drew Eric Whitman

Drew Eric Whitman — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:06:33 +0000

While my instincts were right, this test required more info, namely WHAT THE AVATAR SAID, to come to a more informed conclusion. (A poor message could have been a total turn off.)

That aside, it’s an involvement device and helps keep the reader engaged.

It also bridges the gap between a static “dead” page and adds some warmth and personality, albeit cartooned. A “walk-on” (“live”) actor may have been even more effective, paralleling the increased effectiveness often shown for photographs over illustrations.

Keep the tests rolling, Anne!

Drew Eric Whitman, D.R.S.
Direct Response Surgeon(tm)
http://www.Cashvertising.com

Author of:
“CA$HVERTISING:
How to Use More Than 100 Secrets
of Ad-Agency Psychology to Make
Big Money Selling Anything to Anyone”

By: Dianna Huff

Dianna Huff — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:44:49 +0000

Curses! I hate talking anything in sites!

By: Linda Kaplan

Linda Kaplan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:38:54 +0000

Since photos are all over the net I assumed the avatar more unique. The thinking used to be that the photo personalized the site, but that wouldn’t be as much of a draw anymore.