The number of online users world-wide is approaching one billion users! The most recent US holiday spending numbers increased in 2007 and hit a record USD 733m on the Monday after Thanksgiving; which was a 21% increase over the previous years, and an 84% online spending increase during the preceding four weeks prior. More than USD 10.7 billion was spent online during the holiday season, covering the first 26 days of November 2007, which was a 17% increase over the same period for the previous year. US online spending is expected to reach sales of USD 259 billion in 2008, representing close to 20% increase over 2006 and 2007. (Numbers according to ComScore).
Forrester adds their research to the mix and states that in the US, close to USD 400 billion of store sales or 16% of total retail sales are influenced by the World-Wide-Web. They estimate that we will see a 17% compounded annual growth rate over the next five years, resulting in more than USD 1 trillion of store sales by 2012 being influence by the web.
This is taking in account USA numbers only, what about the rest of the online world spending numbers? The UK reported online sales of GBP 4 billion per month for the first time in 2007. On a 12-month basis, that's a 36% increase over previous years. (Source: Brand Republic). South Korea’s number are setting records as well; they show a 26% increase over previous years, with ecommerce sales on clothing, fashion, sports-related items. Total transactions reached 13.45 trillion won (= USD 14.29 billion). (Source: Yonhap).
Now is the time to make the most of your World-Wide-Web presence by upselling, cross-selling, establishing offline outposts for your products and services, and providing value above and beyond traditional boundaries. You can reach out and create a worldwide hub, for real-world pick-up services, luxury e-tailing, group buying services and many more products that you can provide to your world-wide clients. Promote your products and services through social networks, social media, and news sites. Use blogg and blogospheres to educate your potential clients in their own culture and language.
There are many trends pointing towards social networks, and now is the time to market your products or services to them. You will see social networks developing in neighborhoods, apartment complexes, property management complexes, office complexes, business, any place where purchaser reside, they will be voluntarily grouping together to socialize and learn from one another. Provide community interaction and localized services, and you will start to attracted the people who desire what you offer. Pulling the right people into your sales funnel increases sales and profitability.
Mark.