A Guidance/Synovate survey recently revealed that one-third of surveyed shoppers encountered difficulty during their online shopping process...in fact, some shoppers eventually abandoned the Web site completely! Here's a breakdown of their findings:

• 13% complained that a site was slow while they were shopping
• 8% said a site froze or crashed
• 6% said the site was down or unavailable

So if you are shopping for an e-commerce solution to host your online store, make sure it is reliable and hosted with a reputable company.

Small Business Owners not Reducing Online Marketing

A recent article from eMarketer.com reports that most small businesses plan to increase or continue investing in online marketing methods despite a shrinking economy.

25% of respondents reported that they planned to increase spending on Social Networking. Other top investment areas are email marketing, company websites, and e-commerce.

What I find particularly shocking in these results is how many small business do not invest in online marketing techniques at all! A full 38% don't even have a website.

Online Christmas Sales up 30% in the UK

Internet Retailer reports that online retailers based in the UK saw sales increase 30% in December compared to 2007. That's a huge increase in contrast to the overall decrease in sales of 3.3%. The analysts view this as primarily an indication of shoppers delaying their online purchases closer to Christmas given that November internet sales only grew by 9.5% from the previous year.

Regardless of how you interpret the data, it is clear that online shopping is a growing trend and retailers without a online store are at a significant disadvantage.

Free ways to increase foot traffic

If you have both a website and a storefront, there are some easy and free techniques you can use to increase foot traffic to your store, office, or restaurant.

1. Online coupons
   Post discount coupons online that must be redeemed in your store. When you talk to your customers in your store, be sure to mention to check your website for special coupons. This not only increases traffic to your website (which can increase your search engine rankings), but your customers will have a reason to return to your business.
   
   
2. Put your website URL on everything
   This may seem obvious, but your website address needs to be on your business cards, brochures, stationary, invoices, cash register receipts, ads, and be prominently visible from outside your location (i.e. in the window or under your business name).
   
   
3. Start a monthly email newsletter
   Give your customers an opportunity to sign up for an email newsletter with updates, specials, news, events, employee profiles, and customer testimonials. I'm not talking about spam--your customers should be able to opt out or opt in as they wish. The articles in your newsletter can include links back to your website for additional details on specific promotions as well.
   
   If you are a FirstClick Web Solutions customer, your website already includes a comprehensive email newsletter manager that integrates with your customer database. Contact Support if you need help setting it up.
   
   
4. Get listed on Google Maps
   Google offers a free service to list your business on Google Maps. When Google Map users look up a nearby address, your business will be shown on the map! You can even create coupon links as part of your listing. (link: http://www.google.com/local/add)
   
   
5. List your business on Yahoo Local
   Similar to Google Maps, Yahoo Local allows you to list your business for free. (link: http://listings.local.yahoo.com/basic.php)
   

Customer Referral Program

We have launched a new customer referral program. If you are a FirstClick Web Solutions customer, you are probably asked periodically "who created your website?" Now when you refer a business to us who becomes a customer, your monthly hosting & maintenance fee will be waived for one month. There is no limit to how many customers you can refer.

Online Spending Trends Outperform Brick-And-Mortar

Despite a weak economy and slow holiday buying season, consumers spent more money online than they did in stores compared to the previous year. Three categories: Sport & Fitness; Video Games, Consoles & Accessories; and apparel & Accessories grew in 2008 compared to 2007. Most other categories fell, but online sales still outpaced overall sales across the board.

Here are a few highlights from the research compiled by comScore:

• Apparel & Accessories--Online: 4% increase. Overall: 19-21% decline
• Consumer Electronics--Online: 5% decline. Overall: 26% decline
• Jewelry & Watches--Onine: 24% decline. Overall: 34% decline

ComScore chairman Gian Fulgoni concludes "For an online holiday shopping season that recorded a disappointing 3-percent decline in sales, a positive note is that e-commerce trends outperformed overall consumer spending in several product categories, which is to say that e-commerce continued to capture an increasing share of consumers’ wallet...when the consumer economy eventually does rebound, e-commerce is poised to benefit from its emergence as an important consumer sales channel."

Why all businesses need a website in 2009

With every passing year, small- and medium-sized businesses that don't have a Web site are losing their competitive edge. And since the Web is quickly becoming a beacon of light during a dark and dismal economic crunch, there's a strong possibility that a web presence could save a company. Here are a few reasons why every business needs a feature-rich, credible Web presence in the 2009:

• You'll expose your business to markets you never thought possible
  A Web site gives small businesses the opportunity to compete with even the largest enterprises. This means a business owner can reach its target audience anywhere-across the street or across the continent!
  
• The competition already has a Web site
  Although a surprising percentage of small- to medium-sized businesses still don't have a site, plenty of them do. That means the competition is already displaying its online catalog, making appointments, selling products and reaping the benefits of a Web presence.
  
• A Web site establishes your credibility
  Research has repeatedly shown that consumers don't instill much trust in a business that doesn't have a Web site. And if they don't trust the source, they won't give it their money--especially as they become more budget conscious.
  
• You'll decrease advertising expenses while getting MORE exposure for your business
  A Web site beats out all the other methods of business promotion--even direct-mail campaigns! If your hosting provider includes site promotion tools, you can ensure that your business stays in the limelight on the most popular search engines.