7 Types of Buyers and How to Win Them Over: A Small UX Playbook

**Ever had that *”Do I know you?”* moment with a customer?** You see someone browsing your store or website, but you’re stumped. What’s their deal? Are they a window shopper? A bargain hunter? Or maybe an impulse buyer who’s just waiting to buy something they didn’t know they needed 5 seconds ago?

For site owners, understanding your buyers isn’t just about making a sale—it’s about learning how to maximize every customer interaction (And bonus: Prevent that awkward silence when you don’t know what to say next!). Buckle up, because we’re about to explore 7 customer types and killer strategies that’ll help you charm them, turn browsers into buyers, and—who knows—maybe even lifelong fans.

Lookers: “I’m just browsing…”

You’ve seen them in your store or on your site, poking around, but they leave without buying anything. Lookers are essentially reluctant shoppers—doing some digital window shopping but with no immediate plan to make a purchase.

### How to handle Lookers like a boss:
– **Create eye candy**: Offer visually compelling and valuable content that grabs their attention without screaming, “Buy this!”
– **Nurture without pressure**: Pop them into an email list and tempt them with insider news, helpful tips, or exclusive updates. Baby steps, my friend!
– **Gamify it**: Look at companies like McDonald’s. Their Monopoly promo kept people engaged even when they weren’t planning to buy fries with that[1]. Maybe offer a fun quiz or contest to snag their attention.

💡 ***Pro tip:*** Think of Lookers as the “commitment-phobes” of the customer world. Give them room, but make your messaging so irresistible, they can’t help but click at some point!

Bargain Hunters: The Deal-Obsessed Detective

 

You know who I’m talking about—these folks sniff out deals like humans have a sixth sense for pizza. Like digital treasure hunters, they scour your website or ask, “Any discounts?” within 30 seconds of stepping into the store.

### Winning Bargain Hunters over:
– **Strategically timed promotions**: Flash sales or weekend deals? Yes, please!
– **Exclusive offers**: Send them personalized discounts via email or through a loyalty program. Think Target’s Cartwheel[2]—it’s a killer example.
– **Cross-selling for added value**: Pair smaller discounted items with something more substantial to sweeten the deal. The tiny upsell might bring the cart total far beyond that initial discount!

💡 ***Pro tip:*** Bargain Hunters aren’t loyal to brands, just savings, *but*… you can keep them coming back if your discounts make them feel like it’s “deal or no deal”—but always a deal!

Impulse Buyers: “There’s just something about this…”

 

Impulse buyers are dangerous—to their wallets, and if you’re clever, incredibly valuable to your business. They’re ready to say, “*Take my money!*” but need a little nudge just to remove the friction.

### Strategies to invite impulse buying:
– **FOMO magic**: Make use of scarcity—”only 3 left” messages work like a *charm*.
– **Convenience is king**: The easier your checkout process, the more likely they’ll hit “buy now.” Amazon mastered this with its one-click purchasing feature[3].
– **Bright, shiny suggestions**: Feature a “Recommended for you” section that shows related items or upselling options. You’re basically saying, “Hey, why not treat yourself some more?”

💡 ***Pro tip:*** An enticing social media post or Instagram Story featuring that one must-have product could lead to an instant sale for mood-driven buyers. They’ll hardly think twice.

Need-Based Customers: “I want X, and I need it fast.”

 

These are the shoppers you *need* in your life (pun intended!). They come armed with a specific product in mind—no fluff, no time-wasting. Hand them what they want with zero hassle.

### How to seal the deal with Need-Based shoppers:
– **Straightforward navigation**: Make sure customers can find items fast! Whether it’s clear product categories or a stellar search function, don’t let them get lost on your website.
– **Help them help themselves**: Create easy checkout processes and *super* clear product descriptions. It’s the online version of “Can I help you find something?”
– **Fast support**: Anticipate questions with quick, pain-free customer service. Maybe even throw in live chat. According to Zendesk, 92% of customers feel more satisfied when using live chat[4].

💡 ***Pro tip:*** Need-based customers can quickly become loyal (i.e., repeat buyers!) if their shopping experience feels tailored and effortless.

Regular Buyers: Come back again and again…

 

Bless the customer who comes back without any extra prompting. They know what they want and they know you’re the one to deliver it.

### Here’s how to maintain the Regulars:
– **Consistency**: Provide the same (or even better!) experience every single time. It’s like being their favorite barista who knows to leave room for cream.
– **Reward loyalty**: Create a frequency reward program where, after a certain number of purchases, they earn perks. Starbucks’ loyalty program makes billions of dollars annually[5]—and it’s not an accident!
– **Don’t fix what isn’t broken**: Keep checkout clean and don’t overpower them with unnecessary add-ons or offers. They’ll appreciate the smooth sailing.

💡 ***Pro tip:*** Low friction equals more trust and repeated behavior. Keep the shopping process as simple as their morning coffee order.

*Imagine if you walked into your favorite donut shop, and they handed you a complimentary donut because they remembered your last order. You’d keep coming back, right? That’s what a loyalty program should feel like—small, but powerful.*

Potential Buyers: “I’m thinking about it…”

 

They’re on the fence. One foot in and one foot out, your job? Get them to trust you’re the right fit for their needs and remind them why *now* is the time to decide.

### Your game plan:
– **Testimonial magic**: Show potential buyers some social proof in the form of reviews, success stories, or even influencers using your products. According to Nielsen, 92% of customers trust referrals from people they know[6].
– **Product demos**: Offer live demos, product videos, or free trials that give them just enough info to feel confident they’re making the right choice.
– **Time-sensitive deals**: Encourage them to take action with limited-time offers.

💡 ***Pro tip:*** Send out a last-ditch, personalized follow-up email for those who got cold feet at the checkout page. Sometimes, all they need is a little tune-up (or coupon!) to reel them back in.

Wandering Customers: “Eh, just browsing.”

 

Finally, you’ve got the wanderers. These folks might be in your store or on your site with no real intention to buy—just killing time. But don’t dismiss them!

### How to strategically engage Wandering Customers:
– **Keep them entertained**: Offer engaging blog posts (like *this* one!), quizzes, or even gamified experiences.
– **Friendly vibes**: Give them some breathing room but don’t disappear entirely. Sometimes, light, no-pressure engagement works wonders.
– **Offer and forget**: Provide a checkout offer that’s hard to resist if they’re still on your website lingering. It’s like dangling a cookie in front of someone who *claimed* they weren’t hungry.

💡 ***Pro tip:*** Don’t give up on these customers! Keep their experience *positive* — and if no purchase happens, so what? They’re more likely to remember their good experience and visit again when it counts.

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## Bringing it All Together At the end of the day, **each type of buyer needs a slightly different approach**. But with a few adjustments—you can flip “just looking” into “just bought!”

From Bargain Hunters chasing discounts to Regular Buyers craving reliability, the key is **knowing your customers and offering them an easy, enjoyable experience.** Whatever you do, **keep it fun, keep it frictionless**, and remember: every customer interaction is a new opportunity to build strong, lasting relationships.

What’s your go-to strategy for converting those elusive “just browsing” folks into happy, raving customers?

#### Sources:
1. [McDonald’s Monopoly Marketing Campaign](https://www.mcdonalds.com)
2. [Retaining Customers Through Loyalty Programs](https://www.target.com)
3. [Amazon’s One-Click Checkout](https://www.amazon.com)
4. [Zendesk Customer Satisfaction Study](https://www.zendesk.com)
5. [Starbucks Rewards Program Statistics](https://www.starbucks.com)
6. [Nielsen Trust in Advertising Report](https://www.nielsen.com)