How To Make Money Online For Kids For Free - Create a Catalog to Supplement Your eCommerce Business

Small to medium eCommerce businesses can reap the benefits of multi-channel marketing and should examine strategies to do so, not just for large retailers. Multi-channel marketing is the tactic of reinforcing your brand message by utilizing numerous channels to sell to customers.

Or at a brick and mortar storefront - retailers that facilitate customers to shop via multiple channels typically get a higher level of customer value, online, by mail, whether the method is over the phone. Retailers must provide a consistent experience that allows customers to shop via the method that they feel most comfortable, due to rising customer expectations. Retailers need to serve customers in multiple channels to stay competitive, as Multi-channel marketing has become "par for the course" in online retail.

Catalog only spent $242 per year - while a customer who shopped all three spent over $1000 per year (source: ebusinessiq.com), retail only spent $194 per year, the company found that internet only shoppers spent $121 per year, in a cross-channel study by JC Penney. The numbers speak for themselves.

Consulting firm The Aberdeen Group found that 38.4% of respondents classified "multi-channel customers" as significantly more profitable, in a separate study of over 500 retail and enterprise businesses.

So where to start?

How do you progress your online business towards this new opportunity and take advantage of these developing trends? So multi-channel consumer behavior generates incremental profits - but where do you begin if you are a small online retailer?

Consumers typically browse the catalog as they shop for products and then frequently go online to purchase them. As the strengths in each channel complement the other's weaknesses, a print catalog and an online store work extremely well with each other. The first step for an online retailer would be to evaluate the creation and distribution of a print catalog.

Making the catalog even more valuable in niche markets, another plus is that competitive offerings are limited when merchandising via a catalog. As it is readily available and visible for weeks on end, the tangible nature of a print catalog makes it great for product browsing.

So utilize conservative conversion metrics when developing your ROI model, conversion rates in catalogs frequently trail their eCommerce store counterparts however. And postage fees, distribution processes, creative design and layout, including: list management, small to medium online retailers should examine the costs for development.

http://www.yourstore.com) in bold writing on every page in the catalog and include catalog "quick shop" numbers (usually 5 digits) so shoppers can quickly locate exact products viewed in the catalog on your website. Make sure to include your URL (ex. ) and provide details to your cross-channel policies (how orders can be placed and returned etc). Consider outlining your unique value proposition (Why would a consumer shop at your store, within the first page of the catalog?

Unique strengths within each channel

This can also create consumers being unaware of products that may meet their needs. Not all products can make it into to the catalog, in businesses with large assortments. Leaving the shopper with unanswered questions, product content and imagery may be limited by catalog page space constraints. They are sometimes limited in their ability to provide deep levels of customer interactivity, now although catalogs can be great selling tools.

Instill confidence on core product benefits - while cross/up sell functionality increase the average order value (AOV) of the sale, or visualization tools, comparison charts, online components such as buying guides. While simultaneously generating action through time sensitive promotions, the eCommerce store is able to reduce purchase hesitation by educating the customer through enhanced content. While offering a complete selection of all products, the eCommerce store can tailor the user experience to meet the scenario needs of a visitor. It is for these reasons why the web works so well with a catalog.

And also have a rich media version of the catalog online that can be emailed to a friend or family member, provide the capability for a consumer to request a print catalog online, online stores should provide the "quick shop" search capabilities mentioned earlier. It is important that the site promote the catalog as well, similar to how the catalog promoted the eCommerce business.

Consider a multi-channel approach to meet the expectations and build the overall loyalty of your customer base, to maximize the potential of your online business. An eCommerce store and a catalog can be a powerful way to drive incremental product demand, when utilized together.