According to the Consumer Internet Barometer, shoppers are becoming increasingly accustomed to incentives like free shipping and free return postage. Over 90% of shoppers said that free shipping would incent them to buy, while 65% mentioned that if they had a special incentive availble online that was not available in brick and mortar locations, then they also would be more likely to make their purchases online. Return postage was also mentioned as a prime motivator.

What does that mean for your e-tail business? Are you offering these kinds of incentives? How are you telling your clients? Are you using viral marketing? If you have a blog with subscribers, you can inform your buyers via email or RSS, that you are offering a special or incentive . They in turn will tell their friends and people in their sphere of influence. You announce a great promotion. Spread the news using subscriptions and RSS. Even better, do a video product release, and spread your message or promotion using video optimization.