I was putting gas in my car last week, and I envisioned myself having a meltdown right there at the pump. I fantasized for a moment, just wondering what would happen if I began crying, screaming, and ranting about how I’d much rather spend that much money on a new summer outfit or a great night out. Of course, using that gas money on a night out or a trip to the shopping mall requires yet more money for the gasoline that I have to put in my tank in order to get there. This train of thought led me in the direction of asking, "I wonder if I could actually do all my shopping online, and invite all my friends over to my house, in order to look good and have fun without having to pay for the gas." I figured I could purchase almost everything I needed online, except I couldn’t pick out my own fresh fruit. As for my friends, well they love me, but my living room doesn’t offer the ambiance of Tuscany or the entertainment of a live zydeco band. Go figure. So what does this have to do with home business owners? Well, if you offer a product or service that is available online, this might just be the perfect time to pump up the sales efforts and try to entice your customer base with more online shopping benefits. After all, who can really afford these days to spend a Saturday hopping from place to place in order to complete the shopping to-do list. If you’re wondering how consumers are feeling, take a look at these findings from a recent survey, 2008 Online Shopping Habits: What is Affecting Your Spending? The survey was conducted by Safe Home Products to learn how outside factors in the economy, fuel prices, and weather have and will affect online shopping habits for consumers in 2008. "We gained some valuable information from the consumers who participated in this survey, for example over 56% of consumers believe fuel prices will affect their shopping habits in 2008, but the majority will not change their online shopping habits," said Barbara Staib, president of Safe Home Products. "This tells us that consumers plan to change their shopping behavior in other areas, but not in their online shopping. The majority of the consumers, at nearly 59%, plan to shop the same amount in 2008 as in the previous year. This is positive news to us as it means the internet retail economy should remain stable." The study found that those who favor online shopping will continue to do so, and that consumers see online shopping as a way to save money. What this means for home business owners is that we have an area in which to focus. All we need to do is figure out a way to show value, savings and benefits when it comes to our products or services being offered online. It might sound like a challenge, but if you take a look at your marketing plan, evaluate your advertising dollars, and tap into the online shopping market, you may just provide much needed relief to those consumers that are contemplating hissy fits at the pump. Just a thought. |
