eTailers: Got Free Shipping?

If you sell online or ship items from your store to customers, do you offer free shipping?

There is a growing trend for e-Tailers to offer free shipping, not just on special occasions or seasons, but ALL the time. Think about it. How many times do you shop online and put things in your cart only to bail at checkout because the shipping and/or handling costs have added too much to your total order? I know I have!

Think this is only for big companies? Think again. As a small business, we must do everything we can to "keep up" with the way big companies do business. Customers come to expect a certain big store experience whether shopping online or in your store. And they ARE comparing you to the big stores, whether you know it or not. They're walking through your store comparing prices, deciding to buy with you or deciding it's worth the drive to a large retail store to save a few bucks.

While you may not be able to convince all your customers not to shop at bigger stores, try to do what you can to sway their buying decision in your favor.

What ways can you shave costs so that you can affordably offer free shipping?

Can you offer free shipping to your local area? Beyond? 

I know an eTail business who offers free shipping worldwide. This particular business ships small items that don't weigh much. So it was an easy decision. They don't sell at retail locations, but occasionally sell at shows. When they see customers who just can't quite pull the trigger to buy something, they are handed a card and are told "you can buy it later for the same price since we offer free shipping". Smart business! LEAVE NO MONEY ON THE TABLE! Brainstorm ways you can offer free shipping, today!

Ciao for now, Paula

Online Retail News: Internet Security, Fraud

This week's top news stories from Internet Retailer:

• An online arms race rages between attackers and defenders
• Retailers have to be on guard
• Consumers like free computer security tools
• Social media and mobile devices present security threats
• Retailers can't relax when it comes to fraud—especially around the holidays

3 Take-Aways from Internet Retailer Conference

I'm just home from the Internet Retailer Web Design & Usability Conference in Orlando, FL. [BTW - not a bad place to be for a couple of days in February!]

Thought I'd share a few tips I came away with after listening to a couple of days of speakers, visiting with vendors and networking with other eRetailers. I compiled these while listening to Rich Ruggiero, Resource Interactive wrap up our conference.

3 Main Take-Aways:

[If you don't want to read this whole post, scroll to bottom and watch the 2:59 video summary. :-) ]

1. Usability is a given - Usability=how easily can customers use your site and complete the action you'd like.

  * The future is now!

  * Expand your Web presence by integrating social and video tools that work for your business.

  * Make your site user-friendly for the rapid adoption and use of all types of devices - smartphones, tablets, notebooks, Internet on T.V. - everything that is portable and not a desktop computer

2. Keep an eye on what's coming - (i.e., trends, strategies, emerging media, etc.)
  *  Do your homework

      What do your customers want? What are their expectations while they are on your site? (not what you expect them to do, what THEY expect to accomplish while there and HOW they expect to do it)

      What is your competition doing? Can you get some ideas for your site? Can you match some of the usability expectations from the big box stores?

3. Evolve - Continually evolve your site to meet your customer's needs

  * eCommerce  - the "e" stands for everywhere! Every place is a point of sale! Be nimble with a customer-centric focus and find continuing ways to improve your sales process.

Here's a video from Resource Interactive (2:59) that really sums it all up!