October 27, 2008

AIS Media CEO, Thomas Harpointner, Thomas Harpointner, was interviewed by Gifts & Decorative Accessories Magazine to discuss how the current economic climate is driving consumers online and what retailers can do to prepare for this shift. His statements included:
The current economic climate is driving consumers to online shopping, Thomas Harpointner, CEO of the AIS Media e-business solutions company, told Gifts & Decorative Accessories. “Just avoiding sales tax in many cases is incentive enough for consumers looking for a way to cut expenses.” 

And in spite of fewer free shipping offers caused by rising fuel costs, consumers would rather save their own gas. “It adds up to less traffic at the stores,” Harpointner says. And even much of that store traffic is influenced by online shopping: “Many are turning to the Web but ultimately buying at the retail store,” he explains. 

As a result, he advises retailers to invest in expanding their online efforts. And of course, they are cheaper: email delivers $48 for every dollar spent, he says, compared to catalogs’ $7.20. Here are Harpointner’s tips for maximizing return on Internet investment: 

• Make a great online impression. You could have a wonderful, beautifully decorated store, but consumers turn to the Web first, so developing an online site that is as fabulous as the storefront is crucial,” says Harpointner. And keep it up to date. 
To read the full story visit: Seven Ways to Do the Web Right

About AIS Media
AIS Media, Inc. is an award-winning developer and marketer of proprietary Web applications and professional Web services aimed to meet the needs of small and medium-size businesses. Specific AIS Media products include Excerpo® Storefront (http://www.ExcerpoStorefront.com) and Excerpo® Mail (http://www.ExcerpoMail.com), which enables businesses to conduct e-commerce and run permission-based email marketing programs, respectively. Professional services include interactive media, web site development, credit card merchant services, search engine optimization (SEO) and managed hosting. AIS Media markets its services directly and through its global network of certified partners. For more information on AIS Media’s services and to locate a partner, visit www.aismedia.com

© 2008 AIS Media, Inc.