Newsletter For Ecommerce and Catalog Retailers – Aug 12 2011

Aug 12, 2011

Industry News
FIFTH GEAR Choice of the Week

More great news for ecommerce this quarter
Ecommerce sales in the US reached $37.5 billion in the second quarter of 2011, up 14% from the same period last year. Even better, this number included a 16% increase in the number of new online customers. This is the third consecutive quarter where online sales have shown double-digit growth rates..
(Source: Washington Post)

Use multimedia to multiply customer engagement

Research shows that a customer is three times more likely to purchase if she interacts with a “live” customer service representative. But retailers are going beyond text-based chat, and enhancing live engagement via multimedia tools like three-dimensional products in action, form-fill guidance, and product demos via live video feed…
(Source: CRM Buyer)

A recipe for greater conversions on your landing page
First, take the right mix of goals and objectives for your landing page, then add a dash of creative design and attractive content. Sauté gently until all the ingredients blend into a cohesive landing page. Finally, top off with a great image. Voila, the perfect landing page…
(Source: eMarketing and Commerce)

May the force of augmented reality be with you
Are retailers ready to provide the responsive environment that customers would expect in the future: augmented reality interaction, consumer directed changes, self-curated digital browsing? As technology makes the online experience more real than ever, retailers are rushing to participate…
(Source: Retail Customer Experience)

Google shaping research and purchases for shoppers
If your product is not on Google Shopping, it should be! A quick survey of over 1000 shoppers on their research habits before they shopped highlighted the fact that 79% of them research online, with over 30% of them using Google Shopping for price comparison and product reviews…
(Source: Internet Retailer)

The science of email marketing
With personalization and customization becoming buzzwords for marketers, email marketing strategy has moved beyond the “mass blast” technique. By using a series of systematic steps and being persistent, you can easily create brand loyalty and creatively engage with customers…
(Source: emarketing and Commerce)

Accelerating Commerce
Featured Content from the FIFTH GEAR Blog