Small Business Internet Marketing Blog

According to the e-tailing group’s 11th Annual Mystery Shopping Survey, leading merchants are optimizing merchandising to get sales. Merchants limited-time-only promotions jumped to 42% penetration in 2008 from 18% in 2007. Gift with Purchase showed a measurable decrease perhaps as it is less economical than the other tactics benchmarked. Online Outlets Clearance saw a 14 percent increase in penetration year-over-year, with 86 percent of merchants now deploying this tactic.

Free shipping continues to be a promotional standard offered by more merchants in diverse manners that complement their business models including an increase in conditional free shipping to a store (26% in 2008 vs. 15% in 2007).

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Why do websites constantly throw WE, US and OUR in visitors’ faces?  Why do WE as website owners and marketing professionals always make it about US.  WE just don’t get it, most of the time.  WE think users want to know about US and OUR solutions.  WE too often convince OURselves that visitors are only interested in what WE can do for them.

This idea is absolutely wrong!  Websites and companies need to be less egocentric by bridging the gap between visitor needs and shifting towards a consumer centric message.  But how?

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