Articles Worth Reading: More Good Stuff from Internet Retailer

(Web Biz Help Editor's Note: Since I can't keep up with the many relevant headlines that rolled in during the past fews weeks, I listed a few from Internet Retailer that continue to reinforce the importance of having a rock-solid online marketing strategy in place. As you'll read, the habits of site visitors and online shoppers is your number one clue to what is working, what is not working and what you need to be doing to improve website performance!)

1. US Internet users just can’t get enough of online video

U.S. Internet users viewed a record 14.3 billion online videos in December, up 13% from just the previous month, comScore Inc. reports. Nearly 150 million U.S. Internet users watched an average of 96 videos each in December.

2. Baby boomers are more likely to consume than create online social content
More than 60% of Baby Boomers view or listen to social content. Marketers can reach them by sponsoring content where they are online, Forrester Research says in a new study.

3. Customer service and site usability drives online sales, expert says
Good online customer service can give e-retailers an edge in the market, but it must coincide with things like a transparent returns policy and a user-friendly web site, says David Smith of the London-based Interactive Media in Retail Group.

4. Free multivariate testing tool finds the winning page at ColonialCandle.com
Colonial Candle uses Google’s free Web Optimizer to test page design. The winning page boosted sales by $20,000 in a month.