From the Editor – January 2008 issue of eBiz Insider magazine. Download the complete issue as a PDF by clicking here.
The new year is finally here and like most of you, I’m making a list of resolutions I will probably NEVER keep. Come on, really now, how many times have you resolved to lose weight or stop smoking?
Forget those dead-end deceptions and make some resolutions that will really benefit your business:
Redesign your website: A website should be updated at least every 18 months, so if your site is “stale” resolve to give it a facelift. You will be surprised to find that a
redesign increases sales (it’s why bricks-and-mortar stores redesign their spaces regularly). Most web design firms get busy with the new year, so start discussing
your redesign plans now and book time to have the work done.
Launch an additional store: Look at what you’re currently selling and see if you can segment some of those products into a niche category and set up a separate store
for them. In the world of the Internet, niche marketing works. In fact, the internet is ALL niche marketing. Trust me; I sold ferret supplies online for 13 years!
Fine tune your search marketing efforts: If you’re managing your own search marketing campaigns, take a look at what you’re spending and whether those campaigns are profitable. SEM is important! If you don’t have the time to do it right, look at outsourcing to a qualified search marketing firm.
Communicate with your customers: If you’re not in regular contact with your customers, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Constant contact with your customers through e-mail, snail mail or phone is an important part of doing business. Start an e-mail newsletter, do a postcard with a special offer, or do an outbound telephone campaign just to say hello.
We’re all in business to make money, right? Plan some new initiatives for the new year, so that when this time rolls around next year, you’ll be saying “I’m glad I made
those resolutions last year!”
Finally, take a minute to raise a glass of the old bubbly, salute the times to come and offer a toast to the new year. May it be filled with happiness, joy and plenty of
e-commerce success!
Cheers!
