Easily usable websites attract more credit card customers.

• Position: Survey - Brief article

Credit card issuers who make their websites more appealing and easier to use have a better opportunity of improving the quality and number of their online applicants, according to a company, Web Mystery Shoppers International Inc., that helps companies increase online sales conversion rates.

A recent study that company did with 850 Internet users found that 80 percent were willing to apply for credit cards online, and 58 percent said they have already done so. Yet, after visiting 12 credit card websites, only 41 percent said they would return to the site they visited if they were in the market for a credit card in the coming year. This varied considerably among...