The Invesp Blog: E-commerce and Landing page Optimization http://www.invesp.com/blog Conversion Rate Optimization Blog Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:39:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 invesphttp://feedburner.google.com Are you attending the Internet Retailers conference in Chicago June8, 9, and 10? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/invesp/~3/QBss6GzUWPE/are-you-attending-the-internet-retailers-conference-in-chicago-june8-9-and-10.html http://www.invesp.com/blog/miscellaneous/are-you-attending-the-internet-retailers-conference-in-chicago-june8-9-and-10.html#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:39:00 +0000 khalid http://www.invesp.com/blog/miscellaneous/are-you-attending-the-internet-retailers-conference-in-chicago-june8-9-and-10.html If you are attending the show, please stop by and see us at booth 564.

I will be down in Chicago with the few of our team members over the next few days meeting with clients and partners. So, if you are in the area and would like to talk about conversion optimization make sure to stop by our booth at the IRCE.

If you can’t make it to the show, we will most likely be holding a small dinner this coming Wednesday, so if you would like to join us, please email me: khalid at invesp.com.

© 2006-20010 Invesp

]]> http://www.invesp.com/blog/miscellaneous/are-you-attending-the-internet-retailers-conference-in-chicago-june8-9-and-10.html/feed 1 http://www.invesp.com/blog/miscellaneous/are-you-attending-the-internet-retailers-conference-in-chicago-june8-9-and-10.html Interview with WebProNews http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/invesp/~3/RWUTMclGGZM/interview-with-webpronews.html http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/interview-with-webpronews.html#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:38:55 +0000 khalid http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/interview-with-webpronews.html I had a quick interview with WebProNews during smx  west. The video is available on ustream.tv and titled: Khalid Saleh, President of Invesp, talks with WebProNews

© 2006-20010 Invesp

]]> http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/interview-with-webpronews.html/feed 1 http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/interview-with-webpronews.html 25 Google Website Optimizer Tips for Better Product Pages http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/invesp/~3/-9Qkm41pv-w/25-google-website-optimizer-tips-for-better-product-pages.html http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/25-google-website-optimizer-tips-for-better-product-pages.html#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:30:05 +0000 khalid http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/25-google-website-optimizer-tips-for-better-product-pages.html image In case you have missed it, I published a guest post on the Google website optimizer blog titled ​25 Google Website Optimizer Tips for Better Product Pages.

If you are a regular reader of the Invesp blog, you know that we focus on ecommerce conversion rate optimization. While I find conversion optimization generally challenging, I believe that ecommerce conversion optimization is more difficult compared to optimizing other websites. CRO should be more than randomly throwing elements in a test script and hoping one of them will beat the original design. If you are looking for consistent results, you have to follow a methodology. In this post, I touched on the basics of product page optimization. Jump to the GWO blog and read the full post

© 2006-2009 Invesp Consulting

]]> http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/25-google-website-optimizer-tips-for-better-product-pages.html/feed 2 http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/25-google-website-optimizer-tips-for-better-product-pages.html 2009 – How did the recession impact your company? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/invesp/~3/dU4_Wlf-JDg/2009-how-did-the-recession-impact-your-company.html http://www.invesp.com/blog/ecommerce/2009-how-did-the-recession-impact-your-company.html#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:32:25 +0000 Ayat Shukairy http://www.invesp.com/blog/business/2009-how-did-the-recession-impact-your-company.html image During the last two weeks we analyzed our 2009 projects to assess the average improvements in conversion rates and increases in revenue our team helped clients achieve.  Before we get to the numbers, we wanted to reiterate that 2009 was one of the most challenging years for our clients.  Our projects for clients were focused on plugging the leaky faucet of online shoppers due to the external factors of the economic recession. Promotions, pricing structures, and free shipping became huge motivators and persuaders for the online shopper throughout the year.

And here are the results:

Invesp clients’ average increase in conversion rates is 65.98%, average increase in online revenue is 109.2%.

If you are wondering how clients achieved such a large increase in revenue compared to the increase in conversion rate, this is because increases in revenue result from a number of factors such as increases in average order value, monthly traffic, as well as average conversion rates.

Our methodology has not changed, although our aggressiveness and razor sharp focus has been enhanced due to the strenuous economic pressures. Gone are the days of making a simple change for a big result.

The release of Pii – first ecommerce conversion rate optimization software

Perhaps one of the biggest factors that helped clients last year was the release of Pii. The power the software provides is mining website analytics to determine which areas of the site should be optimized. It allows analysts to use the knowledge from hundreds of conversion optimization projects to provide focused recommendations that have been tested with other ecommerce websites. Our goal was to determine the weak areas of any website and use our experience in resolving common problems in these areas.

Rethinking the basic package

What was the rationale behind the basic package?

The purpose behind the basic package creation was to help out the little guy. Some client’s simply can’t afford other packages, and we wanted to do our part for the smaller company. But what we consistently saw was that client’s that signed up for our basic package were just not getting the bang for their buck because too little time was spent analyzing what and how to optimize throughout the site. The numbers have to make sense for both parties, and from our team, we just could not afford spending more time on their projects.

That being said, our increases in conversion rate and revenue would have been tenfold if we discounted client’s that signed up for the basic package. Which is why, as a company, we have determined that although we want to help small businesses by offering them a small package, we do not want to waste their time nor our time with a package that will essentially be ineffective. Unless they are able to commit to something a bit larger, than we cannot give them the improvements they are looking for.

What did Conversion Focus on in 2009?

It’s quite fitting that in a year where the economy was taking a turn for the worse that discounts, pricing layout, savings, etc. were the factors that impacted client’s the most. Homegallerystores.com came to us with a product page that could use some usability enhancements. But the biggest impact did not come from changing the flow and ease of usage of the page but rather by placing the discount offer right below the call to action button.

Xtreme Terrian made changes to how the price was displayed, the headline that pointed to the fact that they carry a wide range of products at the best prices, and as a result saw significant improvements in their conversion rates. Again, the  key was what would appeal to the visitor from a savings and price perspective.

Conclusion – looking forward to 2010

Every year we face different challenges with optimization, but 2009 proved to be the most difficult year for our company. Trying to help a range of clients, from the large to the very small, and maintain the same strategy and methodology for the varying companies was difficult. We learned early on that because of this range in clients, and their specific difficulties and expectations, we would have to adapt our strategy and methodology accordingly. Although the essence is always the same, the swiftness, razor sharp focus, and aggressiveness changed dramatically. Best of luck to all of our clients and colleagues, in a hopefully better 2010. How did your company do in 2009?

© 2006-2009 Invesp Consulting

]]> http://www.invesp.com/blog/ecommerce/2009-how-did-the-recession-impact-your-company.html/feed 5 http://www.invesp.com/blog/ecommerce/2009-how-did-the-recession-impact-your-company.html 6 Household Brands That Got The Taste of Social Media Backlash http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/invesp/~3/vNs0UDdIFV4/6-household-brands-that-got-the-taste-of-social-media-backlash.html http://www.invesp.com/blog/social-media/6-household-brands-that-got-the-taste-of-social-media-backlash.html#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:48:00 +0000 Social Media Insider http://www.invesp.com/blog/?p=1633

Social media has exploded as an industry and changed the way businesses interact with their customers. Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace are drawing millions of people into active participation—and when you find millions of engaged people, you’ll find plenty of businesses trying to convince them to part with their money. For all the altruistic talk of companies connecting with human beings (that’s the social) the endgame is always going to be revenue (that’s the marketing).

Sometimes, however, the marketing and the social aspects fail in colossal fashion. And when that happens, we can all learn from and laugh at their mistakes. Here are six of the biggest crash-and-burns in the last 10 years of social media marketing.

1. Motrin’s Mommy Marketing Headache

Motrin thought they could capitalize on International Baby Wearing Week in 2008 with a YouTube video singing the praises of safe-for-nursing Motrin for alleviating the pains of toting a tiny tot. In other words—and this is how the mommy bloggers saw it—wearing your baby is bad for you, but Motrin is good for you. The reaction was exactly what you would expect from a mother who feels criticized by a company trying to sell drugs to her baby: explosive. Personally, we don’t find anything wrong with the ad itself. But if the core market finds it wrong, there has to be something wrong. The company should know their target market better and in this case, Motrin jumped in the social media bandwagon without really doing the due research.

The lesson: do your homework and don’t insult your customers.

2. The Big Fake RV Wal-Mart Tour

Long before the people of Wal-Mart blog (which is real), the marketing brains at Wal-Mart thought their image would be better served with a fake blog called “Wal-Marting Across America.” What was supposed to be a home-cooked, feel-good story of American folklore about a couple that toured the nation’s Wal-Marts with glee, turned into a steaming pile of bad publicity(PDF).

What we learned: Dishonesty isn’t really the second-best policy.

3. Sony’s Straight-up Frontin’, Yo!

It shouldn’t be that hard to make teenagers want to play video games. Yet Sony created a contrived blog called “All I Want for Christmas Is a PSP” all the same. The blog was supposed to be the efforts of a hip, street-talking techno-punk who just wanted his homie to get a PSP for Christmas. Because that’s what the hip kids do: start blogs to help their friends get Playstations. After engaging in arguments with the throngs of commenters who saw through the gimmick, Sony finally admitted to being nothing but a poser.

Here’s the statement Sony posted once their dirty deeds were exposed,

Busted. Nailed. Snagged. As many of you have figured out (maybe our speech was a little too funky fresh???), Peter isn’t a real hip-hop maven and this site was actually developed by Sony. Guess we were trying to be just a little too clever. From this point forward, we will just stick to making cool products, and use this site to give you nothing but the facts on the PSP.
-Sony Computer Entertainment America.

Apparently, we didn’t learn the lesson about honesty all that well. Which is especially ludicrous given the fact that the target audience was already in love with the product.

4. Wal-Martbook. Wal Space. Wal-Fail

Remember The Hub? You know, the big social media forum for teens who really love hanging out at Wal-Mart? Wait, you don’t remember? Maybe that’s because their attempt at duplicating MySpace only lasted 10 weeks. Trying to convince the youth of America to talk about how much they love Wal-Mart might be the most unlikely scenario ever dreamed up by corporate America. The fact that it got approved is a testament to the chutzpah of whoever dreamed up the idea.

When you engage in social media, at least try to look like your serving the needs of you’re customers just a little bit.

5. T-Mobile, Magenta Overlords

In 2008, T-Mobile issued a cease-and-desist notice demanding that Engadget Mobile remove the color magenta from their website and logo. They, in fact, carried a trademark on the color magenta, however putrid it may look on-screen. The blogging community responded with an enormous backlash against the cell giant with thousands of poetic magenta site badges that read: “T-Mobile Sucks.” Not the most eloquent phrasing, but it sums up the social-media awareness of the company quite nicely.

The lesson: when you go public with a petty gripe, you’ll face the wrath of the masses.

6. Dirty Dominoes

The link is NSFW, and the stuff those Domino’s Pizza employees were doing is not safe for food. What possessed two teen to videotape themselves sneezing on food and wiping sponges on their a** and then uploading the videos to YouTube? We don’t even want to guess. That’s all kinds of wrong. But here’s where Domino’s failed: they let someone else discover and promote the videos before they found it. The image below shows the “Dirty Dominoes” crew after being charged in 2009.

You can watch a collection of dirty Domino’s video here.

After finding out about the incident this is what the corporate office had to say,

Thank you for bringing these to our attention. I don’t have the words to say how repulsed I am by this – other than to say that these two individuals do not represent that 125,000 people in 60 countries who work hard every day to make good food and provide great customer service. I’ve turned this over to our security department. We will find them. There are far too many clues that will allow us to determine their location quite easily.

Regards,
Tim McIntyre
Vice President, Communications
Domino’s Pizza, LLC

Note to all: you better keep a constant eye on the Web for anything related to your company so you can squash the bombs before everyone else has seen them.

These were some of the brands that pinched the wrong nerve this past decade. We are sure there are more to come. Which one among these do you think were the dumbest?

© 2006-2009 Invesp Consulting

]]> http://www.invesp.com/blog/social-media/6-household-brands-that-got-the-taste-of-social-media-backlash.html/feed 3 http://www.invesp.com/blog/social-media/6-household-brands-that-got-the-taste-of-social-media-backlash.html Invesp’s Top 100 Marketers of 2009 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/invesp/~3/4JgcewgrezA/invesps-top-100-marketers-of-2009.html http://www.invesp.com/blog/sales-marketing/invesps-top-100-marketers-of-2009.html#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:07:58 +0000 Ayat Shukairy http://www.invesp.com/blog/sales-marketing/invesps-top-100-marketers-of-2009.html image Online marketing has evolved tremendously over the last decade. Within a single decade the interest and need for understanding this space has grown to insurmountable lengths. And there are the select few carrying forward… 

In compiling our second ranking of the Invesp’s Top 100 Marketers, we struggled with determining the exact criterion because every marketer has made contributions. We determined that marketing your company, your products or yourself had to meet four requirements.

First, we asked, what are this specific person’s achievements? Bryan Eisenberg, who ranked high up the list, transformed himself from a company CEO, to a speaker and resource to the online marketing world, within a single year.

Then we assessed the particular individual’s reach. Blog subscribers are not enough to make you qualify, although it is considered. But really, how much influence does this marketer really have? Writing a book can score some big points since that can broaden reach and influence.

Next we determined whether or not they contributed any new ideas to the online marketing world. Guy Kawaski was one of our top marketers last year, and he has made the list this year although he dropped in ranking significantly. The reason being that although he has continued to grow AllTop, there hasn’t been any new contributions that we have seen from him in 2009.

Lastly, we tried to measure how much these marketers help their online communities. Ideas and influence are great, but is there anything tangible that followers had experienced. Aaron Wall’s community has been able to grow their businesses tremendously by following his advice. His contributions to his fellowship has resulted in tangible, monetary growth.

To calculate the final rankings, the Invesp team, as well as some top marketers ranked all candidates (whether nominated for voting or not) for each requirement. Individual rankings were averaged into a composite score to create the final list.

The voting process was important to see what the online marketing community felt. We did not affect our process with the voting results because they are two entirely different points of view.

This ranking is intended to be the beginning of a conversation, not the final word. Does everybody on this list belong on the Top 100 Marketers? Who did we overlook? What did we get wrong? Join the conversation by commenting now.

© 2006-2009 Invesp Consulting

]]> http://www.invesp.com/blog/sales-marketing/invesps-top-100-marketers-of-2009.html/feed 15 http://www.invesp.com/blog/sales-marketing/invesps-top-100-marketers-of-2009.html Video Interview: 5 Ways to Increase Your E-Commerce Conversion Rate http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/invesp/~3/09SpqF4KKAU/video-interview-5-ways-to-increase-your-e-commerce-conversion-rate.html http://www.invesp.com/blog/video/video-interview-5-ways-to-increase-your-e-commerce-conversion-rate.html#comments Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:02:00 +0000 khalid http://www.invesp.com/blog/video/video-interview-5-ways-to-increase-your-e-commerce-conversion-rate.html While speaking at SES Chicago, Dr. Ralph Wilson , from Web Marketing Today interviewed Ayat to talk about 5 ways to increase Your ecommerce conversion rate.

© 2006-2009 Invesp Consulting

]]> http://www.invesp.com/blog/video/video-interview-5-ways-to-increase-your-e-commerce-conversion-rate.html/feed 3 http://www.invesp.com/blog/video/video-interview-5-ways-to-increase-your-e-commerce-conversion-rate.html Twitter IDs: 2009 Top Marketers Nominees http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/invesp/~3/HsO2CJyJyUE/twitter-ids-2009-top-marketers-nominees.html http://www.invesp.com/blog/business/twitter-ids-2009-top-marketers-nominees.html#comments Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:02:19 +0000 khalid http://www.invesp.com/blog/business/twitter-ids-2009-top-marketers-nominees.html Since voting started on the 2009 top online marketers yesterday, I wanted to put a quick list of the twitter ids for the nominees. (names appear in alphabetical order)

© 2006-2009 Invesp Consulting

]]> http://www.invesp.com/blog/business/twitter-ids-2009-top-marketers-nominees.html/feed 9 http://www.invesp.com/blog/business/twitter-ids-2009-top-marketers-nominees.html SES Conference Connect: Pay-Per-Click Congruency Clinic http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/invesp/~3/U8cQf7CzYYs/ses-conference-connect-pay-per-click-congruency-clinic.html http://www.invesp.com/blog/meetup/ses-conference-connect-pay-per-click-congruency-clinic.html#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:38:08 +0000 Ayat Shukairy http://www.invesp.com/blog/meetup/ses-conference-connect-pay-per-click-congruency-clinic.html image I will be speaking at the SES Chicago conference this coming week (December 7-11) on Wednesday December 9th at the Pay-Per-Click Congruency Clinic from 2:30 – 3:45 pm. What we’ll be talking about:

“Pay-Per-Click Congruency Clinic
Crucial to creating successful Pay-Per-Click campaigns is developing messaging that is personalized and persuasive, but also congruent throughout each of the campaign’s elements. This clinic will review PPC campaigns offered up by audience volunteers, from ad to landing page and beyond, suggesting improvements at each step along the way.” (SESChicago)

Let’s connect! @ayat or e-mail me ayat at invesp dot com

image

]]> http://www.invesp.com/blog/meetup/ses-conference-connect-pay-per-click-congruency-clinic.html/feed 0 http://www.invesp.com/blog/meetup/ses-conference-connect-pay-per-click-congruency-clinic.html 55 Google Website Optimizer Tips and Tricks For Ecommerce: a must read! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/invesp/~3/UXaB33GzBF4/55-google-website-optimizer-tips-and-tricks-for-ecommerce-a-must-read.html http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/55-google-website-optimizer-tips-and-tricks-for-ecommerce-a-must-read.html#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:20:41 +0000 khalid http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/55-google-website-optimizer-tips-and-tricks-for-ecommerce-a-must-read.html Quick note: We just published the first installment of our Google website optimizer for Ecommerce. You can read our new article – 55 Google Website Optimizer Tips and Tricks.

© 2006-2009 Invesp Consulting

]]> http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/55-google-website-optimizer-tips-and-tricks-for-ecommerce-a-must-read.html/feed 2 http://www.invesp.com/blog/conversion-optimization/55-google-website-optimizer-tips-and-tricks-for-ecommerce-a-must-read.html