Having the right product information – including images, reviews, product details, and specifications – can make or break an online sale. But too many products, too much information, and too much choice can do the opposite. According to one survey, as many as three-quarters of sales are at risk of being lost thanks to “information overload”. Consumers, paralyzed by choice, can end up bailing on their purchase when they encounter too many options. 

A product recommendation quiz – also known as a product finder quiz – addresses the too-much-information issue by cutting through the noise, asking shoppers a few key questions to zero in on their needs. These tools then use AI and machine learning to recommend relevant products based on a shopper’s quiz responses, helping your customer find items they’re sure to love based on their own unique needs and criteria.

What is a Product Finder Quiz?

A product finder quiz is an interactive tool that guides online shoppers to the most suitable products based on their responses to a series of targeted questions. Product finder quizzes are brief. Like an in-store sales associate, a digital product finder helps customers navigate large product catalogs using information they volunteer – style preferences, skincare needs, a problem they need solving, etc. 

Monetate’s product finder uses machine learning algorithms to analyze quiz responses and match them with relevant items which are presented to shoppers as personalized recommendations. Product finder quizzes offer retailers another benefit – they gather valuable zero-party data about customers. This information can then be used to create  better digital shopping experiences for all of your customers.

Product Recommendation Quiz Examples

Here are a few examples of how product recommendation quizzes connect shoppers with the most relevant items:

• Finding the right coffee every time: Monetate helped Nespresso create an interactive coffee quiz that asks customers about their taste preferences, brewing methods, and flavor intensity. This personalized approach to buying coffee led to an 18% boost in Nespresso’s conversion rate for recommended coffees, showcasing how well-crafted quizzes can directly impact sales.
• Keeping the rain out: A retailer that specializes in outdoor gear uses a quiz to match campers with the right tent. Questions cover group size, camping style, and weather conditions. The quiz doubles as an effective product finder and discovery tool since it educates customers about different tent features and styles they might not be aware of. 
• Customizing beauty products for every skin type: A beauty brand employs a skin-type quiz to recommend personalized skincare routines and relevant products. By asking about skin concerns, daily habits, and environmental factors, the quiz provides tailored product suggestions. The approach helps digital customers feel more confident that they’re choosing the correct product for their unique skincare needs.

Why is a Product Finder Quiz Important?

In a digital retail setting where an “endless aisle” presents seemingly unlimited choices, product finders simplify and focus the shopping experience. Here are a few reasons that these tools are becoming indispensable for your customers:

1. They Solve the Problem of Choice Overload

With countless options available, shoppers often feel overwhelmed. Amazon alone has hundreds of millions of SKUs and millions of sellers. It’s no wonder that customers often feel bombarded by choices and content when they shop online. By presenting only the most relevant options (from the customer’s perspective) product finder quizzes distill the available items down to something manageable and relevant. 

2. They Increase Sales

Monetate’s client data shows that visitors interacting with product finder quizzes are twice as likely to convert compared to those who don’t. Why? Personalized recommendations resonate more with shoppers and they make online shopping a more pleasant experience. Both of these things increase the likelihood of purchase.

3. They Help You Gather Valuable Customer Data

Product finder quizzes need data to work properly – and this is an extra bonus for retailers since the data is being voluntarily given to you by your customers (e.g., zero-party data.) Customers willingly share preferences, needs, and challenges. You can use the information to personalize future interactions, inform new product lines, and remain competitive. 

4. They Make Digital Shopping Easier for Customers

A well-crafted quiz feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable salesperson. It guides customers through your catalog and helpings them discover products they might have otherwise missed. Product finder quizzes enable retailers to add a personalized touch that is appreciated by customers, one that can significantly improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

5. How to Make a Product Recommendation Quiz

Now for the fun part – creating a product recommendation quiz for your own customers. Here are some tips for getting started:

6. Define Your Quiz Goals

Identify what you want to achieve. Are you aiming to increase conversions, gather customer data, or both? Clear goals will shape your quiz design and questions.

7. Make Sure Your Questions Matter

Product finder quizzes are brief and each question must count. Questions should focus on matching customer preferences to product attributes like the coffee finder quiz, which focused on elements like flavor intensity and brewing method. Keep questions concise, so they’re easy to answer.

8. Design the User Experience

Your quiz should be user friendly and intuitive with a visually appealing interface. Make sure it’s mobile-friendly (nearly 80% of global retail website traffic came from smartphones in the first quarter of 2024). 

9. Set Up Product Matching Logic

Use AI and ML algorithms to connect quiz responses with product recommendations. This is a focus of Monetate’s product finder technology. It offers precise matching capabilities that gets better over time.

10. Test and Refine Your Approach

Conduct thorough testing on your product finder quiz approach, positioning, and questions. It may take a few different iterations to get it right. Test different versions to optimize performance and regularly review quiz data and customer feedback. Use these insights to refine questions and improve product recommendations over time.