Countdown to Cyber Monday: Daily Tip 2

It’s Wednesday, and the clock is still ticking to inch us ever closer to Thanksgiving feasts, holiday music and, more importantly for online retailers, Cyber Monday! Today’s tip is KEY for selling on eBay, Amazon and other channels this season.

Today’s Tip: Offer and Highlight Free and Expedited Shipping

It might not seem like a big deal, but the difference between free shipping and that extra fee is, for shoppers, like the difference between getting coal or goodies in your stocking!

Think about it: a customer has her eyes set on a specific gift, and now she’s got to pay for shipping and tax on top of all that. She’s got two choices: a $327 price point with $10.99 shipping and a $338 price point with $0.00 shipping. She goes with the $338! Why?! Something about knocking down that $10.99 shipping expense to $0.00 makes online shoppers click because they think they’re getting a deal.

If you can, increase your prices by the amount of your shipping and drop the shipping fees, or, better yet, just drop the shipping fees all together for a nice little holiday cut to your customers. It may seem like a mind game, but ultimately you’re giving your customers better service and making them feel valued this holiday season.

Bonus Tip:  Scoop up last minute shoppers with expedited shipping options! Everybody knows a notorious Christmas-Eve or week before shopper. They’ll pay the extra buck to make sure their loved ones aren’t disappointed, so be sure to offer expedited shipping to accommodate their needs.

More tips available on our website through our 2011 Holiday Prep Boot Camp Series. 

Blog post by Delisa Reavis, Sr. Manager, Global Corp Comm and Jennifer Artabane, Sr. Product Manager, Marketplaces