These days, no one would blame you for being confused about the mobile-frenzy that’s going on. Understanding what the new smart phones are capable of is hard and it’s only getting more complicated.

A common misconception is that mobile shoppers are only after certain things. After all, who’s going to shop for office supplies on their mobile? Don’t count your business out; as more data is compiled we are learning that there are no set patterns for smart phone shopping habits.
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Presented December 17th, 2009 by Jo Benson, COO of Vortx

In my first post on mobile commerce, I talked about the future of m-commerce and the need to provide a mobile-friendly user experience.

Some of you may be ready to take that leap into the world of m-commerce. Others of you may be shaking your head at the prospect of keeping up with yet another technological advance.
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Vortx now offers a complete mobile solution for AspDotNetStorefront! Contact Us to bring your products to a whole new market!

Smartphones and other mobile internet devices are creating a shift in consumer habits and online retailers need to adapt to the mobile commerce world.

According to Nielsen Mobile, there are already more than 40 million active mobile internet users in the United States which reportedly represents a 73% increase since 2006.

It is expected that this trend will continue to grow. Worldwide it is estimated that there are at least 800 million smartphone users. Some of these 800 million people will start shopping online.

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Online shoppers are savvy and showing them your site is trustworthy is important.

Customers know the threat of identity theft is real and want you to assure them they will have a safe shopping experience on your site.

Here are three ways to build a bond of trust between you, your website, and your customers.

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In the final installment of our series on how to reach out to more customers, we talk about Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.

Each of these methods revolve around one thing, interaction. If you expect to create a profile or blog, then just sit back and wait for the customers to come to you, you’re in for a long wait.

Each of these methods has different requirements for success.
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Last time we showed you how data feeds (RSS and XML) can help drive customers to your store.

This time around we’re going to be a little more traditional and show you how two different types of email can make customers notice you.

The first, newsletters, shares news about your industry and useful tips. The second, email marketing, is one of the most cost effective ways to entice customers to purchase.
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Credibility is essential for eCommerce success. Testimonials establish your credibility and make customers feel secure and comfortable during their shopping experience on your site.

Considering how much of an impact solid testimonials could have on your sales, it’s important to be smart about how to get them and then use them on your site.

Here are a few quick tips:

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Product videos are a compelling way to increase customer interest.

According to this InternetRetailer.com article, Shoeline.com increased conversion rates by 40% after adding 100 videos showing how a shoe looks on a model’s foot.

We’ll show you how to add links to YouTube videos that pop up when the user clicks a link. To do this, we’re going to use a script called Thickbox. Thickbox opens a modal box displaying the content, immediately drawing the user’s attention to the video.

We’re going to do this in three main steps:
1. Download and install Thickbox on your site.
2. Modify the skin template to use Thickbox.
3. Modify the product description to add a link to the video.

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In our third installment on email marketing we explore design elements for effective email marketing campaigns. We previously talked about the advantages of email marketing, list building strategies, and developing your email marketing plan. Now it is time to focus on the design of your email.

While content may be king, good design ensures your content will be seen. The objective is to design emails that are opened and acted upon. A well designed email attracts the recipient’s interest, holds their attention and stimulates action. It can also enhance your company’s image.

So What is “Good” Design?

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