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Online spending on the up

Published: 20 January 2006

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By: Nick Tatt

Comments: 1

According to a report on the BBC by the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) this year’s online spending in the run up to Christmas increased by nearly 50%.

UK-based ecommerce trade body IMRG says shoppers spent just under a whopping £5bn in the ten weeks before Christmas. They also estimated that during 2006 online spending will increase by 36% in the UK alone, bringing the total spend to around £26bn.

Setting the stage

Although these are headline figures that cover a vast range of products sold, it would seem that consumers are increasingly settling in to the idea of purchasing online. This has been helped, in part, by the work the retailers have done over the past few years to pursuade consumers that online purchases are safe and secure. How have they done this? Good communication both in the message and the way it is delivered.

It also suggests to me that if you are a retailer with an online offering you should be setting the ground work today to develop and enhance your online activities in preparation for the year ahead.

What can be done now?

We have put together a short list of simple ecommerce tips to help prepare your website for action. The basics include:

  • consider search engine optimisation – if your site does not perform well on search listing you might be missing out on valuable custom;
  • get the message right – keep your offer simple and make it easy for people to ‘get it’;
  • consider email marketing to push your message out there;
  • encourage impulse buys – cross-sell products, suggest alternatives. Amazon does this VERY well!
  • consider shipping larger orders free; and
  • get the customer service right.

With this year’s forecast of £26bn on the table it is worth reviewing your online activities.

Comments on: Online spending on the up

Comment

Hello and thanks for posting this info. I am trying to build a more comprehensive overview of virtual marketplaces on my website and I can use a good source of data such as your blog : )

I’ll check back here on www.tinderhouse.com soon and please let me know what you think of the info on my website.

Regards,

Michael Rad
Web2earn.com

Michael Rad commented 791 days ago

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