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Digital Retail Sales Growing in 2011

Guest post by: John Clark

Article Overview: Statistics report that digital retail sales have been trending upwards in 2011. While there are variable factors causing this trend, one main reason is the certain marketing methods used, though convenience is also a main contributor.

Digital Retail Sales Growing in 2011

Statistics report that digital retail sales have been trending upwards in 2011. While there are variable factors causing this trend, one main reason is the certain marketing methods used, though convenience is also a main contributor. Some marketing methods are very effective, others are not. One very successful marketing method that has survived the test of time is free sample marketing, also known as freebie marketing or product sampling. This marketing method is used so much that business owners have developed other ways to use free samples to improve their conversion rates.

Digital retail businesses, however, utilize free samples slightly differently than brick and mortar stores. Additionally, they also utilize coupons more frequently in their marketing strategy; mostly because it is easy to digitally distribute. Regardless, the way digital retail stores use freebies is similar to other conventional marketing methods.

For example, a blog owner who sells ebooks on his site may give away the first few chapters to potential buyers, hoping they become interested enough to purchase the rest of the ebook. Obviously, this strategy is not truly tangible because it is purely a digital product, unless the ebook is printed off of the computer, of course. However, it is still effective because it gives something of value to the customer.

If business owners give something of value to the customer, the customer will feel compelled to return the favor. Some psychologists call this a persuasion technique called reciprocation, and business owners have use persuasion techniques like this for years.

Like other marketing methods, such as Pay Per Click campaigns, freebie marketing must be tested. Some business owners do not find product sampling effective for their business, and that is why you must test it on a small-scale basis before you use it on a large-scale basis. Start with small, inexpensive items that won't cost your business a lot of money, in case you don't improve your conversion rate.

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Article Tags: contributor, convenience, marketing methods, retail sales, statistics report, variable factors
Referred by: http://www.saveonquotes.com



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