@plan Institute for Online Commerce (TM) Releases Scientific Survey of Nearly 15,000 Online Users
6 November 2000
@plan Institute for Online Commerce (TM) Releases Scientific Survey of Nearly 15,000 Online Users
Institute Designates Performance Stars to Online
Retailing Sites in the Automotive Category
STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 6 Today, the @plan
Institute for Online Commerce (TM) released its first @plan e-Performance
Report covering the automotive, general merchandising and travel categories of
online retailing. The report, scheduled for release each quarter, uses
shopper satisfaction data from nearly 15,000 active online shoppers. Sites
earned performance stars ranging between one and five. Performance stars were
calculated using an aggregate measure of four specific attributes and a pre-
determined scoring system. Reported sites that did not reach the four-star
threshold can be found at (http://www.webplan.net) on the Institute for Online
Commerce link.
A five-star designation, the highest level of performance, indicates that
shoppers evaluated the site as 'excellent' in at least 50% of the shopping
evaluations. Similarly, four-star designations mean that the site was
evaluated as 'excellent' in at least 40% of shopping evaluations. Three-star
designations mean that the site was evaluated as 'excellent' in at least 30%
of shopping evaluations. Two-star designations mean that the site was
evaluated as 'excellent' in at least 20% of shopping evaluations. A one-star
designation means that the site was evaluated as 'excellent' in at least 10%
of shopping evaluations.
@plan selected four specific attributes used to arrive at an overall
composite measure of shopper satisfaction:
* The likelihood you would recommend the site to a friend
* Ease of finding what you wanted on the site
* Did the site provide helpful information?
* Quality of customer service
"Because of the size and third party neutral scientific nature of the
sample," said Mark K. Wright, CEO of @plan, "this represents the statistical
equivalent of talking to every 18+ U.S. online shopper in the automotive,
travel and general merchandising spaces."
@plan's survey of nearly 15,000 online shoppers in the automotive, general
merchandising and travel categories was conducted from May 1 through July 24,
2000. The study was a representative survey based on a scientific random
probability sample. At the 95% confidence level, the sampling error varies
between 1% and 5%, depending on the number of respondents that evaluated each
reported site. All scores within the statistical margin of error were rounded
up to the next star.
@plan is a leading authority and recognized expert in the field of
Internet marketing research. As a public service, the @plan Institute for
Online Commerce(TM) offers consumers, the media, opinion leaders and market
analysts accurate data concerning online consumer preference behavior and
attitudes towards key online issues.
In the Automotive and Car Rental categories, no site was designated as a
five star site. For a complete list of star designations, please go to
http://www.webplan.net on the @plan Institute for Online Commerce link.
@plan allows this material to be distributed for non-commercial,
educational purposes only. Distribution for any other purposes requires the
prior written consent from @plan. While @plan believes this information to be
accurate and correct within statistical sampling error, @plan does not warrant
the accuracy or the correctness of the information.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties regarding @plan.inc. Investors are cautioned that such
results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from
actual future events or results. Factors that could cause actual events or
results to differ from anticipated events or results include the company's
limited operating history and other risks that are contained in @plan's
reports and documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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Automotive (New or Used Car/Truck)
BMW International Dodge MSN Carpoint
Toyota vw.com
Car Rentals
Expedia.com Travelocity.com