Webs of Influence

1. Understand the psychology of decision-making to influence online behavior

Although it's comforting to believe that we make decisions from a rational place, in recent years mounting evidence to the contrary has disabused many of us of this notion.

Two systems of thinking. Daniel Kahneman's dual-core model of information processing consists of System 1 (fast, intuitive, emotional) and System 2 (slow, deliberate, rational). Online, we primarily rely on System 1 due to information overload and limited attention spans.

Heuristics and biases. People use mental shortcuts (heuristics) to make quick decisions, which can lead to cognitive biases. Examples include:

• Availability heuristic: Relying on easily recalled information
• Confirmation bias: Seeking information that supports existing beliefs
• Anchoring effect: Over-relying on the first piece of information encountered

To influence online behavior, design experiences that:

• Simplify decision-making processes
• Leverage positive emotional triggers
• Use social proof and authority cues
• Provide clear, concise information for System 2 processing when necessary

2. Tailor your approach to different cultures and personalities

Whatever industry you're in, if you want to attract a global customer base, you must be able adjust your offering to meet cultural sensibilities.

Cultural dimensions. Hofstede's cultural dimensions provide a framework for understanding cross-cultural differences:

• Power Distance: Acceptance of hierarchy and inequality
• Individualism vs. Collectivism: Focus on self vs. group
• Masculinity vs. Femininity: Competition vs. cooperation
• Uncertainty Avoidance: Comfort with ambiguity
• Long-Term Orientation: Focus on future vs. present
• Indulgence vs. Restraint: Enjoyment vs. self-control

Personality traits. The Big Five personality traits influence online behavior:

• Openness: Curiosity and creativity
• Conscientiousness: Organization and reliability
• Extraversion: Sociability and assertiveness
• Agreeableness: Cooperation and empathy
• Neuroticism: Emotional stability

Adapt your website design, content, and marketing strategies to align with cultural norms and personality traits of your target audience. Use appropriate language, imagery, and persuasion techniques that resonate with specific groups.

3. Design your website for trust, usability, and conversion

When it comes to ecommerce, much of our interaction remains non-verbal, and we'll often rely on the look and feel (the aesthetics or design) of a website to form our opinions about whether or not to stay.

Trust-building elements:

• Clear, professional design
• Secure payment indicators
• Customer reviews and testimonials
• Contact information and support options
• Privacy policy and terms of service

Usability principles:

• Intuitive navigation
• Fast loading times
• Mobile responsiveness
• Clear calls-to-action (CTAs)
• Consistent layout and branding

Conversion optimization:

• Prominent value proposition
• Simplified checkout process
• Persuasive product descriptions
• High-quality product images
• Urgency and scarcity cues

Conduct user testing and A/B testing to continually refine your website's design and functionality. Pay attention to user behavior metrics like bounce rate, time on site, and conversion rate to identify areas for improvement.

4. Leverage color psychology to enhance user experience and brand perception

Colours alter the meanings of the objects or situations with which they are associated and colour preferences can predict consumers' behaviour.

Color associations:

• Red: Excitement, passion, urgency
• Blue: Trust, calm, professionalism
• Green: Growth, nature, health
• Yellow: Optimism, warmth, attention
• Purple: Luxury, creativity, mystery
• Orange: Energy, enthusiasm, affordability
• Black: Sophistication, power, elegance
• White: Purity, simplicity, cleanliness

Cultural considerations. Color meanings can vary across cultures:

• White symbolizes mourning in some Asian cultures
• Red represents good luck in China, but danger in Western cultures
• Purple is associated with royalty in Western cultures, but with death in some Latin American countries

Use color strategically in your website design, branding, and marketing materials to evoke desired emotions and associations. Consider your target audience's cultural background and test different color schemes to optimize for conversions and user experience.

5. Create persuasive videos that trigger emotional responses

Because video includes so many of the real life cues we rely on to communicate with and understand one another (from facial expressions and gestures, to linguistic content and tone of voice) it is one of the most effective content types for transmitting emotional contagion.

Key elements of persuasive videos:

• Storytelling: Create a narrative arc that engages viewers
• Emotional triggers: Evoke specific emotions (joy, surprise, empathy)
• Visual appeal: Use high-quality visuals and cinematography
• Clear message: Communicate your main point effectively
• Call-to-action: Guide viewers towards desired actions

Video optimization tips:

• Capture attention in the first few seconds
• Use subtitles for accessibility and silent viewing
• Optimize for different platforms (e.g., YouTube, social media)
• Include branding elements consistently
• Test different video lengths and formats

Leverage the power of emotional contagion by creating videos that resonate with your target audience's values and desires. Use storytelling techniques to make your message more memorable and shareable.

6. Harness social media for effective customer service and engagement

Customers reach out to brands proactively (a negative response when things go wrong) and reactively (this can be positive or negative).

Social media customer service best practices:

• Respond quickly (aim for under 1 hour)
• Be personal and empathetic
• Take complex issues offline
• Use a consistent brand voice
• Monitor mentions and hashtags

Engagement strategies:

• Create shareable, valuable content
• Run contests and giveaways
• Encourage user-generated content
• Use polls and questions to foster interaction
• Leverage influencer partnerships

Develop a comprehensive social media strategy that aligns with your brand values and customer expectations. Use social listening tools to monitor conversations about your brand and industry, allowing you to proactively address issues and capitalize on opportunities.

7. Apply principles of influence ethically to boost sales and loyalty

To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful.

Cialdini's principles of influence:

1. Reciprocity: People feel obligated to return favors
2. Commitment and Consistency: We strive to be consistent with past actions
3. Social Proof: People look to others for guidance on how to behave
4. Liking: We are more easily influenced by people we like
5. Authority: We tend to obey authority figures
6. Scarcity: Rare or limited items are perceived as more valuable

Ethical application:

• Provide genuine value before asking for anything in return
• Help customers make informed decisions
• Use social proof honestly (e.g., real testimonials)
• Build authentic relationships with customers
• Demonstrate expertise without manipulation
• Create scarcity through limited-time offers, not false urgency

Balance the use of persuasion techniques with transparency and customer-centricity. Focus on creating win-win situations that benefit both your business and your customers.

8. Optimize pricing strategies to maximize perceived value and conversions

The easier it is for us to compute the difference between two prices, the larger we'll perceive the difference to be.

Pricing psychology techniques:

• Anchoring: Set a high initial price to make subsequent prices seem more reasonable
• Charm pricing: Use prices ending in 9 or 99 (e.g., $9.99 instead of $10)
• Decoy pricing: Introduce a third option to make the desired option more attractive
• Bundle pricing: Offer product combinations at a perceived discount
• Prestige pricing: Use round numbers for luxury items (e.g., $100 instead of $99.99)

Value communication:

• Highlight unique selling propositions
• Emphasize benefits over features
• Use comparison pricing to showcase value
• Offer money-back guarantees to reduce perceived risk
• Provide flexible payment options (e.g., installments)

Test different pricing strategies and presentation formats to find the optimal balance between profitability and customer perception. Consider using dynamic pricing based on factors like demand, seasonality, and customer segments.

9. Implement the behavior chain to guide customers through the conversion funnel

Developed by psychologists to understand how persuasion is structured over time, the behaviour chain is a three-phase strategy that can be used to achieve particular goals or target behaviours.

The behavior chain phases:

1. Discovery
   • Create awareness through marketing and word-of-mouth
   • Provide value to attract potential customers
2. Superficial Involvement
   • Offer free trials or samples to encourage engagement
   • Reduce barriers to entry and build trust
3. True Commitment
   • Encourage user-generated content and reviews
   • Foster community and loyalty programs

Implementation strategies:

• Map out the customer journey for your specific product or service
• Identify key touchpoints and potential friction points
• Develop targeted content and offers for each phase
• Use automation and personalization to nurture leads
• Continuously optimize based on user feedback and data

Design your marketing funnel and user experience to guide customers seamlessly through each phase of the behavior chain. Focus on providing value and building trust at every step to increase the likelihood of conversion and long-term loyalty.

Last updated: May 20, 2025