Yext Releases Consumer Search Trend Predictions for the Biggest Digital Season Yet

Rhea-AI Summary

Yext, Inc. (NYSE: YEXT) has released insights into consumer search behavior for the holiday season amid COVID-19. The report highlights a shift towards digital shopping, predicting increased website clicks and phone calls as consumers seek information. While foot traffic for certain sectors like jewelry and sporting goods may see spikes, overall physical store visits are expected to decline. Yext emphasizes the need for businesses to enhance their digital presence to engage effectively with customers during this critical period.

Positive

• Predicted increase in website clicks indicates robust digital shopping trend.
• Specific verticals such as jewelry and sporting goods expected to see increased foot traffic.

Negative

• Overall foot traffic to physical stores is expected to decline.

NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Yext, Inc. (NYSE: YEXT), the Search Experience Cloud company, today released its predictions for consumer search behavior during the holiday season to help businesses prepare for the end of an unpredictable year marked by COVID-19.

The predictions, which combine Yext's research into consumer search behavior both over the past eight months and during the 2019 holiday season, indicate that foot traffic to brick-and-mortar stores will only be significant for select verticals, while clicks to call a business and visit their website are expected to surge as consumers opt for digital shopping experiences.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the way consumers interact with brands this year, setting the scene for what will be the biggest digital season we've seen," said Zahid Zakaria, Senior Director of Insights and Analytics at Yext. "As our report indicates, some businesses will have to get ready for spikes in in-person visits, but given the unpredictable nature of COVID, all businesses need to make sure their digital doorsteps are not only open for business, but ready to engage with customers and answer their questions."

Yext examined three kinds of customer actions in search for businesses around the world and found:

• "Get directions" clicks: While many businesses are shifting the bulk of their operations online, visiting a physical location is sometimes the most convenient — or only — option for consumers. Store visits have sunk overall, but select verticals like jewelry and sporting goods are still set to see significant foot traffic ahead of Christmas.
• Clicks to websites: In response to COVID-related restrictions and store closures, more and more consumers are turning to digital shopping experiences. Website clicks have stayed above pre-pandemic levels, which indicates the increase in Ecommerce is here to stay during the holiday season.
• Clicks to call: With constant changes to hours of operation, store policies, inventory levels, and more during the pandemic, clicks to call businesses have climbed over the past year. Consumers are reaching for the phone when they need to confirm information they find or can't find any up-to-date answers to their questions online.

Click here to read more about Yext's holiday search trend predictions.

About Yext
The ultimate source for official answers about a business online should be the business itself. However, when consumers ask questions on company websites, too often they are left in the dark with wrong answers. Yext (NYSE: YEXT), the Search Experience Cloud, solves this problem by organizing a business's facts so it can provide official answers to consumer questions — wherever people search. Starting with the company website, then extending across search engines and voice assistants, businesses around the world, like T-Mobile, Jaguar Land Rover, BBVA USA, and Kiehl's — as well as organizations like the U.S. State Department and World Health Organization — trust Yext to radically improve the search experience on their websites and across the entire search ecosystem.

Yext's mission is to help businesses and organizations around the world deliver official answers everywhere people search. Yext has been named a Best Place to Work by Fortune and Great Place to Work®, as well as a Best Workplace for Women. Yext is headquartered in New York City with offices in Amsterdam, Berlin, Chicago, Dallas, Geneva, London, Miami, Milan, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo, and the Washington, D.C. area — and work-from-home offices all around the world.

CONTACT: Amanda Kontor, pr@yext.com

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SOURCE Yext, Inc.

FAQ

What are Yext's predictions for holiday consumer search behavior in 2020?

Yext predicts an increase in website clicks and phone calls as consumers shift towards digital shopping, while foot traffic will decline overall.

Which sectors might see increased foot traffic according to Yext?

Sectors like jewelry and sporting goods are expected to see a rise in foot traffic during the holiday season.

How has COVID-19 impacted consumer interactions with brands according to Yext?

The pandemic has significantly altered consumer interactions, leading to a focus on digital shopping experiences.

What should businesses do to prepare for the holiday season according to Yext?

Businesses should enhance their digital presence to engage customers effectively and answer their queries.