Making customers create an account to shop on your website can be incredibly tempting. The lure comes in the form of capturing e-mail addresses to grow a contact database – one of the most valuable assets for any retailer. When marketers are able to gather shopper contact info, they can reach out to consumers – again and again – in hopes of gaining repeat business and creating a customized shopping experience. However, research has shown that forced registration can be a...

Open an issue of Real Simple magazine and it’s easy to see who their target audience is: successful women, working moms, fashion-conscious ladies and don’t forget, aspiring domestic goddesses. The content found within is all geared at making the modern woman even savvier than she already is, and that was definitely the case with a recent issue.   “Web shopping is ultra-convenient,” penned the Real Simple editors, “but getting it when you want it (how much for two-day shipping?) and how...

During a recent discussion with one of our clients, the team here at NetSphere Strategies was posed with the following question: How can we make our customers feel more secure when making purchases on our site? When we answered that question by equating the checkout process to a party, our client was a tad surprised. But believe it or not, comparing an online shopping cart to a party isn’t as far-fetched as it might sound.   There are plenty of reasons...

Need a crash course on the emerging trends in an industry? Looking for solutions to your major business challenges? Wanting a good workout? Well, all of these can be achieved by walking the floor at any of the major trade shows that happen at Chicago’s McCormick Place.   Just last week, for example, attendees at IRCE 2013 were exposed to 600 exhibitors and their impressive collection of new tools and technologies. Considering the slew of companies and their sophisticated products, some...