12-08-2010 Continued Growth of UK Online Retail

Based on a recent survey of 2000 UK shoppers, it looks like it’s not all “doom and gloom” for UK businesses, at least not if you sell online. Selim

According to this survey undertaken by eCommera, one third of shoppers are actually increasing the amount of money they spend online.  In fact, us Brits spend on average £71 per month online with 42% of us purchasing online on a weekly basis.

The perception is that people can get a better price online and the reality is often true.  Thanks to the transparency of the internet, we are now able to quickly and easily compare prices/products online creating a downward pressure on prices as retailers strive to remain competitive.

With the power of information at our fingertips, we are able to search out that bargain and are presented with a better choice.  60% of us place price as the main reason for shopping on line with 51% of us enjoying the convenience of delivery to our doorstep.

However, we are all too aware of those rogue traders who can take our money and run which is why our website purchase choice is based on personal recommendations.  71% of us use this decision making criteria whilst 46% of us prefer the comfort of choosing a website retailer with a high street presence.

So, according to the survey what deters us from choosing a particular online retailer?

Put simply, here are the top 5 reasons with the first point representing 42% of us:

1) Bad product descriptions and poor quality product images.
2) Confusing site navigation.
3) Payment security concerns.
4) Lack of contact details.
5) Lengthy check out processes.

All of these issues can be overcome with an effective and efficient website.  If you want to benefit from online retail growth then contact us to discuss your requirements.

10-03-2009 Keyphrase Relevance - The Key to Search Engine Marketing

- 41% of search engine users don’t look beyond the first page of results.
- 36% of users believe that the top ranking sites are the top brands within their field.
- 60-80% of clicks are on natural listings not paid listings.          (source: iProspect research)

In a nutshell – you simply can’t ignore Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).

Search Engine Optimisation is a form of Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and its objective is to promote your site up the natural/organic search engine listings across a selection of keywords and phrases used by your target market.

Google states that, within their algorithm, there are over 200 criteria against which a site is judged and each one is assigned a different level of importance.  One of the most important is the relationship between a web page’s content and the keyphrases used by the target market when searching.  If this relationship is compromised then the site is less likely to be found by your intended users; opportunities will be missed and potential revenue will be lost.

The key to success, therefore, is keyphrase relevance and that is where research plays its part.

CMSi will undertake keyphrase research and analysis on your behalf, hopefully confirming that you are currently targeting the correct keyphrases whilst suggesting new ones to exploit.  After identification, we will analyse them against specific parameters to establish those keywords that are best to target.  These same parameters are some of those that Google’s algorithm takes into consideration including the approximate average search volume against a keyphrase, and the number of pages currently indexed by Google for that phrase.

We’ll also analyse them against sites competing for similar keyphrases.  This could reveal terms that may be difficult to target or those that could quickly increase traffic to your site.  Parameters include the competitor’s Google Pagerank, the number of their pages indexed, the number of inbound links and the age of the competing site.

We’ll then recommend those phrases most suitable to target.

Armed with this list, we'll then take a look at how we can make your keywords really work for you.

Depending on how well your site is currently optimised, we may make on-page recommendations within areas such as keyphrase density/frequency, and use of keyphrases within the meta-data and alt image tags.  Off-page techniques may be suggested such as increasing the inbound links to your site from other keyphrase relevant sites with high page ranks.  Each website is unique which means that our recommendations will be tailored to your specific site's requirements.

Contact CMSi now to undertake your keyphrase research and analysis and benefit from the peace of mind of knowing that you’re targeting the most suitable keyphrases.

30-01-2009 Pay Per Click Service from CMSi

Reap the benefits CMSi can bring to your Pay Per Click campaign in terms of added value...

PPC campaigns enable you to get to the top of the Google listings and appear in a prominent position, infront of highly targeted prospects, at the exact time that they are searching for your specific products or services. It also provides an invaluable source of market research data over time. Importantly, you only pay when someone clicks on your advert and you can turn your ad on and off as your budget permits.

We offer a service that adds value to your Pay Per Click campaign either on a consultancy basis or by undertaking the complete development and management of the campaign on your behalf. Experience has shown us, not only how people search on Google, but also the criteria by which they'll choose you in preference to your competitors.

We will build and grow your campaign on an on-going basis with continued analysis and reassessment. We will monitor its progress and change direction as required to ensure that your PPC account continues to provide a high return on investment.

Initially, we'll guide you with keywords and advert copy and will also make recommendations for your landing pages (ie the page within your website that links to the ad). We'll analyse your account thoroughly through the initial weeks and react to the data generated during this period to further develop effectiveness. On a monthly basis we'll reassess and analyse your account, tweaking where necessary in response to our findings. We'll advise on expanding areas and run a full report to enable you to see the benefits.

Contact us now to discuss your specific requirements in more detail...

21-01-2009 Designing Demand

Did you know that a good design concept for your site can increase demand for your goods/services?

Potentially, your website is the first contact that prospects have with your company so, in itself, the experience they have there has the potential to prevent them from moving forward through the sales process.  In effect, the quality of user experience IS your business.

The experience associated with the landing page alone will shape user perception of the rest of  your company.  Can you really afford to get it wrong?  It’s a fact that “you only get one chance to make a first impression” and statistically this is backed up by The Dotcom Survival Guide:

“$19billion was lost by US companies in online sales during 2000 as a result of online shopping carts not working or being unusable, poor search, and cluttered home pages”.

If you are looking for web development advice that follows the principles of designing-in demand, then contact us.  We’ll design a corporate window for you that will be simple for users to understand, promote a “feel-good” experience, serve its purpose and appeal on an aesthetic level.  Most importantly it will persuade prospects to move through the sales process...ultimately increasing demand for your offering.

 

14-01-2009 New Year Special Offers!

Take advantage of our New Year Special Offers...

Firstly, we'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year!  

Now that we're all back into the swing of things, we wanted to let you know about some great offers we're doing during the early part of the year.  It's time to fight off those winter blues and get yourselves to the peak of corporate fitness.  Replace your weaknesses with strengths, stamp out the threats and be ready to pounce on the opportunities ahead.

We'd love to work with you to help you to realise your full corporate potential, and to make it easier for you in this current economic climate, we're offering the following:

NEW CLIENTS: FREE HOSTING FOR THE FIRST YEAR.

EXISTING CLIENTS: 15% OFF OUR VIRTUAL PRESENTERS.

Free Hosting
Any new clients requiring strategic web development that take up our services within the first quarter of 2009 will qualify for free hosting for the first year (terms & conditions apply).

15% Off Virtual Presenters
Any existing clients that sign up for our Virtual Presenters within the first 8 weeks of the year will get a 15% discount (terms & conditions apply).

Contact us now to take full advantage of these offers!