Online Sales Reach Record High in December!

e-Retail Sales Index figures just released show that UK shoppers spent £5.46 billion online in December – an equivalent of £88.93 for every person in the UK – 17% up on December 2008. No mean feat given the UK’s slow crawl out of recession and proof, if needed, that online is where the action is for future business growth in 2010 and beyond.

Business online is showing the way and the winners are clearly those companies savvy enough to quickly adapt their website design and online marketing to satisfy the demands and real requirements of how their customers want to communicate, engage and be served.

A key trend was the change in conversion rates from 2008 to 2009. This shows a clear indication of increased traffic using the internet as a source of product information and recreation, accelerated by the increase in retail content on social network sites such as Facebook.

2010 promises to produce another year of strong results, and demand is expected to remain high as consumers habitually look online for best buys.  Now is the opportunity for eCommerce businesses to enhance their online customer experience by firstly, looking at a website refresh, and by using the growing success of social media strategies and customer relationship building, in their year ahead planning.