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If you're an online retailer and you're looking to maximize this year's Christmas season then I suggest you check out Jessica Hupp's post at VirtualHosting.com because she has come up with over 50 ways that you can optimize your website for Christmas. From Landing Page Optimization to Usability to Analytics, she covers it all.

Read the entire post here. Here's a quick summary of their tips:


Usability

  1. Make it easy for buyers to find what they want
  2. Be sure everything works
  3. Be clear with errors
  4. Use descriptive headings
  5. Follow conventions
  6. Clearly identify the next step
  7. Use readable text


Landing Page

  1. Answer your customer’s question
  2. Create different landing pages


Checkout

  1. Make checkout easy for new customers
  2. Second Bite
  3. Make sure cart editing is easy
  4. Offer a progress indicator
  5. Keep payment options simple
  6. Offer total costs early


Copy

  1. Avoid excessive adjectives
  2. Use trigger words
  3. Use question-based headlines
  4. Make your copy “scannable”


Design

  1. Provide lots of photos
  2. Use text more than images
  3. Differentiate between significant and insignificant attributes
  4. Avoid “click here”
  5. Place important items in the upper left corner of your pages
  6. Don’t overload browsers
  7. Avoid banners
  8. Check for dead links
  9. Highlight just one thing
  10. Embrace white space
  11. Differentiate your site from others


Cross-selling

  1. Recommend products other customers like
  2. Don’t end the cross sell at the transaction
  3. Offer best-sellers


Trust

  1. Make your return policy easily available
  2. Offer assurance
  3. Prove there are real people behind your site
  4. Join trust groups and display their logos
  5. Use testimonials
  6. Back up statements with evidence
  7. Make yourself available
  8. Send out automated emails when contacted
  9. Offer alternate ordering methods
  10. Make it look like you have customers


Closing the Deal

  1. Create a sense of urgency
  2. Offer customer reviews
  3. Give an incentive


Tracking Tools

  1. Google Analytics
  2. StatCounter
  3. pMetrics
  4. Crazy Egg
  5. Site Meter
  6. Mint
  7. AWStats
  8. Opentracker

Comments (1)

Maybe she should've added in "Usability" a nice usable interface. I've been hitting a stone wall using my browser on various websites finding out they're not compatible with it.

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Manoj Jasra has been in the search marketing industry since 2002 with Enquiro Search Solutions, where his technical background in programming and software made him a key member in the development of several proprietary industry tools. Since then, his learning in marketing and business strategies as they relate to online has led him to become a resident expert on Search Marketing/Web Analytics. Manoj also authors the blog, Web Analytics World, which features Manoj’s insight on the Search Marketing and Web Analytics Industry.

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Enquiro offers a complete solution for your business needs - everything from Organic SEM & SEO to managing your Sponsored SEM strategies (PPC). Enquiro also provides in-house research to help you build stronger Search Engine Marketing relationships through usability resolutions with your target market - leveraging technology to bridge the disconnect between intent and lead. However, more than anything else, Enquiro knows the value of having a robust analytics solution to track and measure success.

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Manoj Jasra is currently the Director of Technology and SEO Expert at Enquiro Search Solutions. He has been in the Search Marketing Industry since 2002, since then, his learning in marketing and business strategies as they relate to online has led him to become an expert in Search Marketing/Web Analytics, providing consultation and implementation strategies for clients. Manoj frequently writes in his blog about the latest in the Web Analytics and SEM Industry.