eMarketer.com recently reported that retail shoppers are checking out stores’ websites first before deciding where to spend their money, even if they plan on going to the brick-and-mortar store. Competition tightens because it is now so easy for consumers to compare prices offered by different retailers.

With so much information available now on the internet revealing prices offered by different stores, there is limited information bias, and retailers have to offer competitive prices in order to survive. This is especially relevant for retailers that sell goods that are exactly identical to those sold by other stores, such as electronics.

According to a May 2008 Nielsen Online survey, even most of those who end up buying in a brick-and-mortar store check the web first. They found that eight out of ten consumers in the survey that had recently purchased electronics in a physical store had checked the retailer’s website beforehand. Consumers don’t need to drive around town to find out price differences. It seems that even if they are planning to stop by their local store, they check the website first to see what’s available, so they don’t waste a trip. With children now growing up surfing the web, we can expect to see this trend increase, and for shoppers to be more and more informed about competitors’ prices.

In an article on SiteProNews recently, they discussed 8 reasons why you need audio on your website.

Audio can be the difference between making 1 sale or 10, and it does add a ‘wow’ factor, for your customers.
I agree with all of their 8 points whole heartedly.
As a consumer, if I can listen to a retailer describe the benefits of their product to me instead of just reading a lengthy list of pros’, it has helped me make my decision to purchase or not.
Here’s a few of those 8 things that I feel are the most important, but make sure you read them all after you finish reading what I have to say.

1. Customers remember what they hear more than what they read. Did you know that people remember only 20% of what they read while they remember an astonishing 70% of what they hear? That’s three and a half times more! Your audio message will help you to stick into the minds of your customers longer.

3. Audio keeps customers on your site longer. Audio can keep customers on your site longer and you give you more time to make the sale. It can be used as an additional resource or tool for customers to familiarize themselves with your product or service while browsing your site.

6. Audio puts you light years ahead of your competitors. Using audio successfully on your site gives you a competitive advantage. Most internet businesses overlook using this effective marketing tool so be sure you’re not one of them!

7. Audio is easy to use. Being able to put audio on your website isn’t limited to just techies - anyone can do it! Many of the programs available don’t even require you to know HTML or flash. They’re designed to be user friendly so you shouldn’t have any problems taking your website to the next level.

See there in reason #6, where I italicized part of it?
I wanna tell you how to use it successfully, from a customers point of view.
This is so important.

Do NOT set your audio sales pitch to auto play.
Ever.
Do place your audio or video player above the fold, so customers can find it easily, but never set it to auto play.

Auto playing audio or video players are an immediate sales closer, meaning the customers leave the site without you closing the sale.
If you have your audio or video player above the fold, right near the top, and tell your customers in a short paragraph, that they can watch or hear more about your product by clicking play on the player, most customers will choose to watch or listen.

If it auto starts and the customers can’t find the player because it’s at the bottom of the page, or not even visible to customers to turn it off, customers end up leaving the site without listening or watching, and without reading anything on your site, and without making a purchase.

Give your customers the option of watching or listening to more information about your product, and they will.
Force it on them, and they will leave your site, with their money still in their wallets.

When a large company approaches us we always do whatever it takes to help them build their brand. Blog Branding is an essential ingredient to further develop who you are as a company in the blogosphere. However, large company marketing divisions that may consider blogging to further brand themselves is another individuals decision. I’ve been in that position before and know it can be extremely frustrating to be excited about a new venture ie..blog marketing, and not have the ability to make a decision. If branding is the most important aspect to your company, you need to unlock the handcuffs and embrace blogging. If your reputation means a lot to your company, there’s no other alternative.

What’s the single most wonderful thing you can do during the 06 Holiday season? You can “SHOP” online for all of your gifts instead of mall crowds. I really don’t see why people go to the mall because all of the stores have websites that you can buy from. For all of you holiday shoppers here’s some helpful tips that I found from KVBC.
The Internet is expected to play a bigger role than ever before when it comes to holiday shopping this year. Experts believe shoppers will buy a fourth of their gifts online this year. But while logging on is convenient, there can also be risks if you’re not careful.

Amazon.com and Ebay are frequently visited sites, especially during the holiday season. If you do plan on buying online, here are some tips you should keep in mind.

1. Know who you’re dealing with. If you’re buying gifts on an online auction site that provides a feedback forum, check the track record of the seller before you bid.
2. Look for signs that online purchases are secure. A lock icon will appear on the website telling you the transaction is secure.
3. Pay the safest way. It’s best to use a credit card, especially when you’re buying something that will be delivered later, because under federal law you can dispute the charges if you don’t get what you’re promised.
4. Keep documentation of your order. Print out the confirmation and keep it handy in case you need it later.

You should also make sure to check your credit card and bank statements carefully and call your bank or credit card company if you notice any charges you didn’t make.

The National Retail Federation says shoppers are expected to shell out nearly $800 each this year online.

Here’s an interesting report on search terms by industry. If you have a word or term on the following lists, what are you doing to get in front of people searching for them? It goes to show you by having a blog that is set up correctly, you have a chance to get in front of people looking for you. In your honest opinion, have you done everything possible to grow your online business? Start now.

I recently had a conversation with two programmers from Microsoft. We began discussing their search division and how far behind they were to rivals Google and Yahoo. Instead of playing catch up to Google and Yahoo’s search they should be focusing their efforts and leading the way in Blog Search.

With traditional media missing consumers entirely, more and more advertisers look online to distribute their content. Unfortunately, a big percentage of company’s out there still have the CMO in charge who still believes that consumers are sitting by the TV, and or radio eagerly awaiting advertisements. You can place Google in with traditionally media here since many search results on Google return garbage.

Consumers are beginning to take control and the blogosphere is allowing them to do so.

Today, consumers have the control over what information they decide to put in front of them. Google and Yahoo’s organic search results are continuing to become less relevant to consumers searches. Most Retail Searches on Google will yield results for companies like Bizrate.com, shopping.Yahoo.com, nextag.com etc. in it’s organic results. If consumers want to shop at those websites there they will. They don’t choose Google to find retail aggregators. Consumers have already begun to turn their backs on traditional search engines due to their lack of relevant results. If Microsoft is smart, they will see this to their advantage and beef up their Blog Search division.
Consumers have created their own information-gated community called the blogosphere. At the present time, there is an open market for a really good Blog Search Engine. One that will enable advertisers and consumers to reach each other without so many middle men taking advantage of both sides.

U.S. Online Ad revenues for the first half of 2006 surpassed 7.9 billion dollars, 37% higher from the same period last year.  According to Pricewaterhousecoopers, Q2 revenues surpassed the 4 Billion Dollar mark a 36% increase from last year.  Video Ads will continue to emerge for advertising, “While search advertising remains the largest format in terms of revenues, we expect to see new formats like video ads to continue to emerge as advertisers seek to leverage the branding opportunities afforded by the growing installed base of broadband users,” David Silverman, Partner, Entertainment & Media Practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers. More….

Facebook is planning to roll out it’s expansion. Facebook primarily focuses on College students and is looking to grow their network space. Facebook was once offered 750+ million and turned it down. It seems they are focused on more members and more $$$. They believe that the web is evolving and that evolution can only mean their company is worth much more than 750 Million.  Article……