From the Editor – July 2008 eBiz Insider magazine. Download the complete issue as a PDF by clicking here.
I had the pleasure of attending the Internet Retailer conference last month in Chicago. It’s a great opportunity to meet and talk to e-commerce store owners from around the country. Being the inquisitive type, I cut right to the chase, asking them about their business and how their sales are doing during these turbulent times. The majority I spoke with has not seen much of a change in sales, but one thing remained constant among everyone – they’re nervous about the upcoming holiday season. They should be nervous.
The fourth quarter of the year will be the trifecta – gas at record highs, a weak dollar and a presidential election. These three ingredients will be the determining factors as to whether we have a good or bad holiday season and unfortunately, we can’t control any of them. But you can control your store and your customer and in order to be successful this season, you have to take control now. Take the first step by reading Sean Gove’s article inside.
Speaking of the Internet Retailer conference; let me ask you. How many of you attended? Good for you if you were at the conference, but if you weren’t—why not? As an e-commerce store owner, it is your responsibility to stay on top of the latest industry trends and keep your site on the cutting edge. I will tell you that someone from Solid Cactus attends every one of these meetings. We think they are a required attendance for serious e-commerce players.
Don’t look at a conference like this as a trade show where you walk around like a Halloweener filling up your bag with tchotchkes. The trade show floor is only a small piece of the conference experience. The most important component to these meetings are the information sessions that are held throughout the events. Just like our Boot Camps, these sessions provide you with invaluable information that you can take back and use to better your business. It is especially true in e-commerce where things change and trends develop at a much greater rate than in conventional business.
Knowledge is key. You owe it to yourself, your customers and your business to put a couple days aside and attend.
We’ll be there!
