Christmas is Coming!!!
Time to spruce up
and stock up your cyber-store. This holiday season is slated to
break all records for online purchases.
According to a
survey by Harris Interactive, US consumers are expected to spend
$9.5(us) billion online this holiday season.
 The
study also predicts that there will be 32 million US consumers
shopping online, representing a 25% increase over 1998. Harris
also reports that the number of women who will shop online this
year is six times last year’s number. In addition, 77% of the
Web users surveyed would either buy or research their buys on
the Internet.
This all indicates
that it’s time to get your site ready for the season. In
addition to making sure your products look great and your
navigation is straightforward... you should also inform shoppers
about your cancellation, refund, and exchange policies.
In a recent survey,
the U.S. Federal Trade Commission found that those sites that
allow consumers to buy goods online, only nine percent provided
cancellation terms, only 26 percent disclosed refund policies,
and only 38 percent sites disclosed the applicable currency.
Part of making your customers feel comfortable enough to shop
online is assuring them of your after-purchase policies. So this
holiday season, don’t surprise your customers - let them
surprise their friends & family! (more at www.ftc.gov/opa/1999/9906/interweb.htm)
 If you have a Web
site, or are planning on developing one, you should think of
your site as a tireless, dedicated employee: an employee that
works for you 24 hours per day, seven days per week with minimal
care & feeding.
Has your Web site
been working hard enough for you? Are there any areas of your
business where you could use more assistance? Try some of the
following tips in your next site update.
-
Provide
topical and up to date information regarding your
products and services. Include an easy-to-find “What’s
New” section for return visitors, encourage their
return by regularly posting specials, product tips, or
in some cases, a discussion board.
-
Collect
leads for your sales people. Maintain contact with those
who are interested in and frequent your site. Offer to
keep them up to date on new product offerings, tips, or
changes to the Web site by email.
-
Sell
products online. Advancements in shopping cart software
have made setting up a storefront easier than ever.
Customers can shop 24 hours a day in secure shopping
environments, or simply browse through your products and
call in their order.
-
Answer
technical support questions. Lessen the load on your
1-800 number by fielding your frequently asked questions
right online!
-
Forward
customer queries directly to the appropriate person in
your organization. A contact page lets your customers
know who you are and who can answer their questions,
saving both parties time and money.
-
Set-up a
special area on your site for your own employees. If you
already have sales people scattered across the globe,
set-up a password protected section for frequently
accessed documents: product data sheets, company
policies, employee handbooks and more. Maybe you’ll
even save a tree or two!
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