Sales up 39 percent in ’02

One of the first year-end reports on e-commerce estimates that online consumer sales totaled about $74 billion in 2002. That’s a gain of almost 40 percent from 2001’s level, according to ComScore Networks.

“This is particularly impressive considering the fragile economy and one of the worst holiday retail seasons in recent memory,” said ComScore’s researchers in their year-end statement. They cited “quality of life” benefits, such as convenience and time savings, as primary consumer benefits of online shopping. And the most recent consumer attitudes regarding the issue continue to reinforce this belief.

Among U.S. Internet users, 53 percent believe the Internet is the easiest or most convenient way to shop, while 50 percent report that they like to try new things and 64 percent feel Internet shopping is a real time saver.

Name: Mary Strejc

Business: MS Creations

Web Address: www.ms-creations.com

Website design: Glenn and Mary Strejc

Online products: Hand-dyed eggs, custom pet and landscape paintings on sand dollars, and copper wire art.

Years on the Web: Three

Sales on the Web: “My web sales in 2001 were very slow—less than 1 percent of my total business. By the end of 2002, however, web sales made up 15 percent of my business.”
Best online sale: “My best online sale wasn’t a big money maker. It was my best sale because it was a fun project and the customer was really happy. For me, best sales are made up of more than just dollars and cents.”

Advantage to Web retailing: “The area I can reach on the web is so much greater than I can cover with art-shows. On the web my art is global. I have sold items as far as Tennessee, Georgia and Texas.”

Challenge: “I believe a small, easily navigated site gives me the best chance for success, but I want to expand my product line to include art on canvas. The challenge I face is wondering how much I can put on my website without overwhelming the customer. Sometimes less is more.”

Site promotion: “I have my URL on my business cards and I tell art- show customers to visit the site. My best promotional tool is the communication of my happy customers.”
Web retailing tip: “Do a lot of web surfing. Check out your competition’s sites and make sure yours will compete.”

Future of web retailing: “I think online retail is here to stay, but only to complement brick and mortar. The growth potential of online retailing is fantastic.”

Unique features of the site: “Brief explanations of how I make my creations appear as pop-ups when visitors click on the pictures. The site also has an in-depth PowerPoint presentation that outlines the technique behind this unique art style.”

Comments: “Retailers need not be afraid to have an online presence, it’s just part of business now. If things seem slow, stick with it. Let your website be an evolving and creative business tool.”

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