December 14, 2009

Tammy Joyner with The Atlanta Journal Constitution interviews AIS Media, Inc. CEO Thomas Harpointner regarding December 17th as the cut-off date for retailers to implement online sales and shipping. Harpointner explained that not only do people stop buying online as the big day approaches, but that retailers are up against shoppers comparing online prices. Harpointner goes into further detail in an excerpt from the article below:

“The 17th represents the last day when consumers can realistically expect to get free shipping,” Harpointner said. And for online buyers, free shipping is the Holy Grail of online shopping. “Customers love promotions and discounts. One of the biggest discounts is free shipping. It’s the Number One, most sought after coupon code online.”

But as with any enticement, Harpointner cautions people to be aware of the fine print. For instance, just because a company says a product in stock doesn’t mean it is going to ship in 24 hours. Delays in processing items often trip up the online shopping experience.

Another caveat: This is not the time to go venturing into uncharted territory. Stick to the tried-and-true online retailers you know and trust.

Top Tips for Retailers before December 17th:

• Display Your Return Policy: Make your Return Policy easy to find and understand – allow customers to return products they buy online to the retail store if possible. Offer extended return policies to give customers extra confidence to buy.

• Make Inventory Available: Out of stock products are extremely frustrating to customers, especially if they’ve had to fight traffic and crowds to get to the store. Publish in-store inventories and enable customers to purchase online for convenient in-store pickup.

• Show the Cost of Shipping: Shipping cost is the most-cited frustration of shopping. Offer free shipping incentives and clearly publish the cut-off days.

• Reach More Customers Via Email: While every household has only one postal mailbox, most consumers have a personal email box. Provide incentives to get customers to subscribe to your email newsletter then reach out to consumers via email newsletters, which not only promotes online sales but also drives in-store traffic.

AIS Media has been helping businesses cut costs and increase productivity since 1997. With consultants worldwide, AIS Media assists retailers with e-commerce websites and their Internet strategy and development. To contact an AIS Media consultant in your area click here.

About AIS Media:
AIS Media, Inc., an Interactive marketing and web solutions company, is a leading provider of Internet strategy, award-winning web site development, email and search engine marketing, lead generation, and interactive public relations services. The company has developed a suite of Web-based applications under the proprietary “Excerpo” brand, which focuses on email marketing and e-commerce. AIS Media’s solutions are available directly and through its global network of certified partners. For more information, or to locate a local consultant, visit: www.aismedia.com.

© 2009 AIS Media, Inc.