Newsletter for Ecommerce and Catalog Retailers – Apr 29 2011
May 6, 2011
Industry News
FIFTH GEAR Choice of the Week
Online Videos Increase Ecommerce Conversion
Tech-savvy ecommerce retailers have discovered the positive effect that online videos can have on their SEO efforts. But there’s more to the story – sites with product videos can also experience better conversion rates, fewer returns, and higher levels of customer satisfaction…
(Source: eMarketer)
Rising Shipping Costs Hurting Online Retailers
Last month’s shipping cost increase is raising concerns for online retailers, who have already been burdened with recent changes to some states’ sales tax laws. As “free shipping” discounts become the norm, many e-retailers are scrambling to find new ways to keep customers logging on…
(Source: Business News Daily)
Merging Direct Mail and Online Marketing for Greater Response
Small businesses are seeing higher response rates and increased web traffic by connecting direct mail campaigns with online marketing tools. Tactics such as personalized URLs and mobile QR codes, for example, appeal to consumers’ curiosity and easily capture individual activity data…
(Source: The Big Fat Marketing Blog)
Google Buzz Controversy – A Killer for Ecommerce
If the FTC gets its way, the recent settlement that requires Google to get consent from its users for changes to information sharing practices may soon become the industry standard. Experts fear the measure may hinder companies’ ability to release new features and collect non-sensitive customer data…
(Source: Computer World)
E-retailers Plan to Spend More, Make More
According to a recent study, retailers plan to invest more time and money into ecommerce technology in 2011 – with the expectation that it will also increase conversion rates and sales dollars. Email marketing and site search are listed as e-retailers’ top priorities this year…
(Source: Internet Retailer)
Consumer Product Manufacturers Enter the Ecommerce Market
Product manufacturers are unveiling their own ecommerce sites at a rapid pace, which can make the retailers who carry their products a little uneasy. But, by working together to develop complementary objectives, both sides can create a healthy partnership that results in increased sales for everyone…
(Source: Retail Online Integration)
Fifth Gear News
Steve Warren Featured Guest on SLI Systems Blog
Fifth Gear Vice President of Business Development Steve Warren shared some ecommerce insight this week on the SLI Systems Blog. The post, 4 Stages of a Great Shopping Experience, outlines how every direct retailer can improve the order lifecycle… Read More
Accelerating Commerce
Featured Content from the FIFTH GEAR Blog
• Mother’s Day Spending to Reach 2008 Levels
• The Secret is in the Supply Chain
• Mom Taught Me to Say Thank You
• Picking the Perfect 3PL Provider
