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New – Is It Really New Or Just Improved?
Is Everything New Really Original?
Is everything breaking news or brand new? Every notice that? The other day I was at the gym and the news was on, either CNN or FOX and the breaking news was along the bottom. It seems any stories now becomes breaking now until more recent events replaces it. Was it always that way? I don’t think so. Only the big news of the day interrupted the daily soap operas with a “break” in the show for the newscast. And then it was “real” news too.
Now any news seems to be breaking and big news.
Original or Just Improved?
The same for products, shop online and you’ll see NEW, Look what’s just been added, updated now. It is the same in the brick and mortar stores. How many different boxes of band aids do you now see? Or boxes of Kleenex? And how many are just improved from the old product? Do you really need that many choices of each item? And how long is something new for? And why can’t they leave some products alone. Lipsticks is an example or any make-up. Once you find a great color, BAM – they discontinue it! Why end a good thing?
Just Arrived – On Sale – Save
As I began doing some research for this post it sort of hit me. I started to notice a trend online. Most online retailers really played up their newly designed products, sales and promotions on their home page like the Gap below. It got me thinking about our websites. I have our sales/promotions along the side of the website not front and center. I wanted to make a splash and learned from tech support through Stores Online that I could now have strolling text. Wow, I got excited! So I began changing one of our retail websites and continued on to write this post.
Will Front and Center Promo’s Increase Your Sales or Call To Action?
Do you put your newer and promotional features on your blog or website front and center? How do you feel when you arrive at a website to see their promotional stuff in your face? Does this help websites to generate more sales from their website traffic? I tend to think so after searching various products online for an hour. The major retailers spend a ton of money on research for this type of thing building their websites.
I’d love to hear from you if your have offers for your newsletters, e-book or products.
Did it help you to have them front and center on your website?
What Inspires You To Shop Online Today?
Shop Online
What really inspires you to shop online today? Shopping online continues to grow each year, since 1991 when it first appeared, as many people just click away and buy online.
Forrester Research estimates that the United States online retail industry will be worth $279 billion in 2015. That is just in the United States that shop online only! More people are using their tablets and smartphones to order online as they are becoming the more popular mode to connected to the internet. That is still only 8% of all retail sales being done online. There is still a lot of room for growth to shop online.
So why do you shop online?
- The prices are lower
- The convenience
- The selections are greater
- The ease of it
- Not having to wait in line
- Love receiving packages in the mail
- Better deals
- Don’t like the traffic near stores
What is the most important factor for you when shopping online?
- Free Shipping
- Best selection
- Return policies
- Ease of finding products
- Product descriptions
- Prices even if you pay for shipping
- Brand recognition
- Emails received with specials
- Customer service
- Referred by friend
- Testimonials from others
- Seeing products made in the USA
- Large quantities of products
- Selection of payments, credit card, PayPal, etc.
- Out of stock
- Paying for return shipping
- Not being able to reach customer service
- Not receiving shipping tracking
- Slow websites
- Not being able to find what you need
- No sizing charts
- Small selection
- Few quantities left
- Not being able to use American Express or another form of payment?
- Great service
- Great products
- Happy beyond expectation on the purchase online
- Discount offered to write a testimonial
- Fast turn around and delivery
We see it all everyday with online shoppers. Those that just browse, those that put things in shopping carts and go away and those that come back another day to make that same purchase. They may have looked elsewhere for lower prices. Some call and inquire on products. A few email their questions. These questions make us get better everyday with adding more product descriptions or size charts on the sites. Out of stocks are trickier, some are in stock in the a.m. and some other store may sell them before we see the inventory update. Other customers write testimonials and reviews of their purchase. Most are from customers who have contacted us for info and love the quick response. We just love those. Of course you can’t please everyone.
So I’d love to know, what inspires you to shop online?
Do You Love Your Affiliate Products?
Affiliate Products To Love
Affiliate Products – Do you use yours? Recently I purchased a pair of Crocs that I am an affiliate for and it made me wonder – do most people purchase what they have for affiliates on their websites or blogs?
Very comfortable clogs
A few months ago we had an experience on our medical uniform website where were introduced a new clog line. I had not tested these out. We have several lines like Cape Clogs, Klogs and Anywears. I have bought each of these clogs except Anywears. I have loved wearing clogs since I was a kid. I was very excited to offer clogs on our site and being able to order them for myself. Especially the fancy print ones.
Always receive compliments wearing these shoes!
We have had many customers rave about the Anywears and since they were not so fashionable I did not purchase them. So recently we added this “new” unnamed line and we had 3 complaints. Very poor quality – falling apart. Immediately after the 3rd complaint we took them off the website.
Testing Your Affiliate Products
This made me wonder – do you test your affiliate products out before selling them and putting them on your website? When we first started the scrub business I would buy the new brands and give to my girlfriend who works in a medical office. She would tell me which got the most compliments from her co-workers. (Most of our products are not affiliates on that site)
As you may remember it depends on which state you live in if you can do some affiliate programs. States like Rhode Island, New York, California, Illinois, North Carolina, Arkansas and Connecticut. They have different laws in regards to affiliate product programs. Crocs was one we were able to do in Rhode Island still. We did receive our first check last month 
It takes a few months after the sales before you receive your check. I have been using Rakuten LinkShare for this program. So far so good!
I do love my new Crocs – they are lightweight and very comfortable. I wore them on my recent trip and they were great for airport security too. I also got money taken off my order when I tweeted it and Facebooked it. How nice is that?
Love my new #Crocs —-> Crocs™ Mercy Work | Comfortable Womens Work Shoes | Crocs Shoes Official Site j.mp/HmrftT via @crocs
— Lisa(@Lisapatb) April 9, 2012
Do you really love your affiliate products on your websites?
A Friday Find For Baby
I came across this new baby mat over on Stumble Upon from a pediatrician name Dr. Lisa Dana who I’ve stumbled with for over a year. This Well Baby Tummy Time Mat intrigued me and I thought you would like it too for those with babies in the family or friends with babies. I wonder if it would work for puppies too?
The material of the mat is very easy to clean as babies tend to droll a lot. It contains NO PVC’s, Phalates, BPA, or any Formaldehydes. It is recommended by pediatricians to be used 30-60 minutes daily.
They are offering Free Shipping through December 31st, 2011!
*I was not asked to review this mat or compensated in any way.
What’s Your Deal?
Have you been using the deals online to save yourself some money?
There are many different places you can sign up for daily deals or weekly deals such as:
Do you find that these save you money? Or do you find too many restrictions on them? If you read the fine print and know the details before purchasing you can really save some money. I started buying a few for the holiday season – some make great gifts and you don’t have to drive around in traffic or stand in any lines. The only downside is your email box can get filled up. I’ve been weeding out other emails that do not save me money by unsubscribing.
