Consumers plan to spend more online this summer

The eBillme Online Spending Index, which is based on a survey of 1,200 consumers, notes that consumers plan to spend an average of $271.77 online in the third quarter, up 20% from what surveyed consumers said they planned to spend in 2009’s third quarter.

The survey was conducted by research firm Javelin Strategy & Research for eBillme, an online payment services company that lets shoppers make payments from their bank accounts.

The report notes that 30% of consumers plan to spend $250 or more online in Q3, including  13% who plan to spend $500 or more online, 5%, $1,000 or more and 2%, $2,000 or more.

The report also notes that online consumers have some ongoing concerns about spending, says Samer Forzley, vice president of marketing for eBillme.

The eBillme Online Spending Index started reporting quarterly data in Q3 2008 near the start of the recent economic downturn. Despite the economic recovery of this year, Forzley says, the report continues to show that many consumers are still being cautious.

For example, a year ago 57% of consumers said they were planning to delay purchases in Q3 because of economic uncertainty, and 27% said they expected to be closer to their credit limits. This year’s study shows a slight improvement in both figures at 44% and 23%, respectively.

Other concerns remained more constant, including the percentage of respondents saying they would buy more online if they felt better protected from identity theft (53%, up from 52% a year ago).

The study also posed the following questions, with the percentages of consumers answering yes this year and last year:

• When shopping online, I want to use more payment options that protect me from fraud. 79%, 77%
• I used my credit card less often during Q2 in favor of non-credit payment options. 36%, 39%
• I would purchase more online if I could control my finances and pay using cash. 27%, 30%
• I would purchase more online if I could pay using available funds through my bank’s web site. 27%, 26%

In answers to new questions posed this year, 17% of respondents said they plan to shop online this year for back-to-school supplies, and 14% said they plan to spend more online for back-to-school suppliers than they did a year ago.