Thursday, November 29, 2007
Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday was a hit! If you missed out on this year’s Cyber Monday, they weren’t able to profit from the $733 million spent online—that’s a 21% increase over last year’s total! E-Commerce is still growing, so find out how you can be a part of the action by contacting Mavik Web Design!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Here’s some advice to online retailers from eMarketer.com.
In an article titled “Online Retailers Take Stock” writers note that 48% of people surveyed said they’d go to a competing Web site if the product they wanted was out of stock on the first site they tried. In second place, 31% surveyed said they’d check back later to see if the product was back on the “e-shelves.”
“Respondents to a Retail Systems Alert Group survey cited efficient inventory allocation as among the key opportunities for creating customer satisfaction,” according to the article. In fact, in December of last year, 56% of respondents said ensuring accurate, consistent product information was the most important business initiative, according to a survey by the same group in February of this year.
In an article titled “Online Retailers Take Stock” writers note that 48% of people surveyed said they’d go to a competing Web site if the product they wanted was out of stock on the first site they tried. In second place, 31% surveyed said they’d check back later to see if the product was back on the “e-shelves.”
“Respondents to a Retail Systems Alert Group survey cited efficient inventory allocation as among the key opportunities for creating customer satisfaction,” according to the article. In fact, in December of last year, 56% of respondents said ensuring accurate, consistent product information was the most important business initiative, according to a survey by the same group in February of this year.
You Can Cash in using Direct Mail and E-mail Marketing
This week, eMarketer.com reported that last year direct mail and e-mail marketing brought in the highest return on investment than any other target marketing method. Return on investment (ROI) numbers can be difficult to track and interpret, but analysts agree mail and e-mail are more lucrative methods of communicating directly with customers compared to other mediums like television ads or signs, according to the article.
Pet Products are Big Business!
Last week, eMarketer.com published an article about the thriving pet industry citing reports by Packaged Data and the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association (APPMA). Here are a few facts and predictions from the article:
American pet owners will spend $52 billion on their pets in 2009.
Pet care is the second-fastest growing retail industry, following consumer electronics.
The health and well-being of our furry friends is also a booming business. The APPMA writes that 77% of dogs and 52% of cats were medicated in the past year.
According to the article, vet services are a $9.8 billion industry, and that number doesn’t include over-the-counter drugs and other supplies, which tacks on another estimated $9.9 billion.
The authors put it in perspective for us: Americans spend more now on their pets than they do on movies, video games and music—combined.
American pet owners will spend $52 billion on their pets in 2009.
Pet care is the second-fastest growing retail industry, following consumer electronics.
The health and well-being of our furry friends is also a booming business. The APPMA writes that 77% of dogs and 52% of cats were medicated in the past year.
According to the article, vet services are a $9.8 billion industry, and that number doesn’t include over-the-counter drugs and other supplies, which tacks on another estimated $9.9 billion.
The authors put it in perspective for us: Americans spend more now on their pets than they do on movies, video games and music—combined.
Why should I pay you $50 for Web hosting when I can get it for less than $10 a month with XYZ Company?”
It’s a fair question, and one you may hear from prospects. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of reasons why cheap Web hosting may actually cost more in the long run with things like hidden fees and unauthorized content. You can share these answers with your prospective customer so they see the value of your product and you can move the appointment forward.
Unauthorized Advertising. Cheap Web hosts have a reputation for placing distracting advertising banners and pop-up ads on their clients’ sites without the client’s permission. On the other hand, Mavik Web Design gives you 100% control of your site’s content.
Long Contracts and Full Upfront Payments. Instead, with Mavik Web Design, you pay from month to month and can cancel anytime with just a 30-day notice.
Hidden Costs. Cheap hosts will sometimes charge hidden fees for things like additional storage and higher traffic capacity. Meanwhile, with Mavik Web Design, the customer is always charged the same $50 every month. Additionally, we provide plenty of storage to each site for thousands of images and volumes of text, and we also provide unlimited hits/bandwidth, no matter how popular the site becomes.
No Technical Support. Many Cheap Hosting services won’t have a hotline customers can call if technical problems arise. But Mavik Web Design gives customers free, unlimited access to our experienced Technical Support staff. Contact the staff via Chatlink or at 1-866-WEB-HELP on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (All times Pacific)
It’s a fair question, and one you may hear from prospects. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of reasons why cheap Web hosting may actually cost more in the long run with things like hidden fees and unauthorized content. You can share these answers with your prospective customer so they see the value of your product and you can move the appointment forward.
Unauthorized Advertising. Cheap Web hosts have a reputation for placing distracting advertising banners and pop-up ads on their clients’ sites without the client’s permission. On the other hand, Mavik Web Design gives you 100% control of your site’s content.
Long Contracts and Full Upfront Payments. Instead, with Mavik Web Design, you pay from month to month and can cancel anytime with just a 30-day notice.
Hidden Costs. Cheap hosts will sometimes charge hidden fees for things like additional storage and higher traffic capacity. Meanwhile, with Mavik Web Design, the customer is always charged the same $50 every month. Additionally, we provide plenty of storage to each site for thousands of images and volumes of text, and we also provide unlimited hits/bandwidth, no matter how popular the site becomes.
No Technical Support. Many Cheap Hosting services won’t have a hotline customers can call if technical problems arise. But Mavik Web Design gives customers free, unlimited access to our experienced Technical Support staff. Contact the staff via Chatlink or at 1-866-WEB-HELP on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (All times Pacific)
In an effort to “Go Green,” many people are seeking to discontinue the delivery of their Yellow Pages and similar telephone directories. Experts attribute this movement to an emerging generation that prefers to use online and mobile resources when searching for businesses.
“Yellow Page usage among people say, below (age) 50, will drop to zero or near zero over the next five years,” Bill Gates said at a summit in May of this year. Researchers at the Kelsey Group have found similar results, stating as younger generations begin making larger purchases, they will move away from traditional search methods like phone books and “use online resources at the expense of traditional media.” They add that businesses will have to adapt to these new online methods as the phone book becomes obsolete.
This method is “faster and more efficient and helps preserve the planet’s resources,” according to Geoff Wilson at Pseudofish.com.And how much of the planet’s resources could be saved in this effort? Environmentalist Larry West writes that, according to Green Valley Recycling in Los Gatos, Calif., and Modesto’s Parks and Recreation Department, if every American recycled their phone books for a year:
We would save up to 650,000 tons of paper
Free up to 2 million cubic yards of landfill space
And, for every 500 phone books recycled, we could save:
7,000 gallons of water
17-31 trees
4,100 kilowatts of electricity—enough to power an average home for six months.
“Yellow Page usage among people say, below (age) 50, will drop to zero or near zero over the next five years,” Bill Gates said at a summit in May of this year. Researchers at the Kelsey Group have found similar results, stating as younger generations begin making larger purchases, they will move away from traditional search methods like phone books and “use online resources at the expense of traditional media.” They add that businesses will have to adapt to these new online methods as the phone book becomes obsolete.
This method is “faster and more efficient and helps preserve the planet’s resources,” according to Geoff Wilson at Pseudofish.com.And how much of the planet’s resources could be saved in this effort? Environmentalist Larry West writes that, according to Green Valley Recycling in Los Gatos, Calif., and Modesto’s Parks and Recreation Department, if every American recycled their phone books for a year:
We would save up to 650,000 tons of paper
Free up to 2 million cubic yards of landfill space
And, for every 500 phone books recycled, we could save:
7,000 gallons of water
17-31 trees
4,100 kilowatts of electricity—enough to power an average home for six months.
E-commerce is still growing!
According to eMarketer.com, U.S. e-commerce spending is expected to grow 18% this year to $259 billion. The article attributes the increase in spending to “increased consumer comfort with online shopping.”
The online population isn’t slowing down! Be sure to tell your prospective customers that if they don’t have a Web site with e-commerce capabilities, they’re missing a huge opportunity for increased profit!
The online population isn’t slowing down! Be sure to tell your prospective customers that if they don’t have a Web site with e-commerce capabilities, they’re missing a huge opportunity for increased profit!
Commerce still has room to grow!
According to ComScore, retail e-commerce spending for the third quarter of 2007 has increased 23% since last year—reaching $28.4 billion! Experts project that at this rate, that number will hit $200 billion. Spread the word to those prospects who are reluctant to believe their revenue will increase with e-commerce capabilities!
Free shipping pays off!
According to the National Retail Federation, 78.6% of retailers surveyed will offer free shipping during the rapidly-approaching holiday season. Scott Silverman of Shop.org said, “Free shipping offers drive online sales more than any other promotion, which is why they remain popular with retailers.”
Clients can leverage the Internet this season with offers for free shipping based on a minimum dollar amount spent or a minimum number of products purchased by their customers.
Clients can leverage the Internet this season with offers for free shipping based on a minimum dollar amount spent or a minimum number of products purchased by their customers.
According to DM News, 72% of major online retailers regularly sent out welcome e-mails to customers who opt-in to be on a subscription list. Citing this year’s Retail Welcome Benchmark Study, the article adds that 32% of welcome e-mails included a discount, reward or incentive. With the solution you offer, your prospects can send e-mails that draw more customers to their Web site and into their brick-and-mortar store!
Make Money while you Shop this Holiday Season!
Don’t let the season slow down your sales! This is a great time to generate some cash while you’re already out and about. If you have lots of shopping to do this year (and who doesn’t?), odds are you’ll be visiting plenty of businesses. Why not capitalize on the opportunity to set up an appointment with the Decision Maker?
You can help your favorite businesses establish a Web presence before the holidays! You’re out there anyway, so no excuses!
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Did you know…
According to eMarketer researchers, online holiday sales in the U.S. will reach $31 billion this season, up 18.5% from last year! In the face of some predictions for decreasing revenue for brick-and-mortar establishments, this information is going to be immensely beneficial when you approach a business owner about purchasing a Web site this season!
You can help your favorite businesses establish a Web presence before the holidays! You’re out there anyway, so no excuses!
-------
Did you know…
According to eMarketer researchers, online holiday sales in the U.S. will reach $31 billion this season, up 18.5% from last year! In the face of some predictions for decreasing revenue for brick-and-mortar establishments, this information is going to be immensely beneficial when you approach a business owner about purchasing a Web site this season!
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