Showing posts with label Website. Show all posts
Gone are the days when online shoppers would wait for 2 seconds for your website to load, now they will switch at the blink of an eye.
For Impatient Web Users, an Eye Blink Is Just Too Long to Wait
People will visit a Web site less often if it is slower than a close competitor by more than 250 milliseconds (a millisecond is a thousandth of a second).
“Two hundred fifty milliseconds, either slower or faster, is close to the magic number now for competitive advantage on the Web,” said Harry Shum, a computer scientist and speed specialist at Microsoft.
The performance of Web sites varies, and so do user expectations. A person will be more patient waiting for a video clip to load than for a search result. And Web sites constantly face trade-offs between visual richness and snappy response times. As entertainment and news sites, like The New York Times Web site, offer more video clips and interactive graphics, that can slow things down.
But speed matters in every context, research shows. Four out of five online users will click away if a video stalls while loading.
Columbus IT and Stores Media have come together with a panel of retail technology experts to answer questions about retail operation automation. There are some great questions and answers in the form of short videos addressing the pressing issues facing retailers today. Check it out.
Amazon.com has launched Windowshop.com which enhances the shopper’s experience. The site provides a unique view by encouraging users to use the arrow keys on the keyboard to navigate the site. Shoppers can scroll through the items and zoom in which plays either video or audio related to the product. I found the site very appealing and fast and easy to use.
Wal-Mart has launched an Online Resource Guide, "Save More".
Wal-Mart launches today a new on-line platform for customers hungry for ideas to stretch their dollars during tough times. The site, located at http://www.walmart.com/savemore, will feature tips and advice from Ellie Kay -- America's Family Financial Expert® and best-selling author of 11 books including her most recent release, A Tip A Day With Ellie Kay.
With 20 years of financial experience, Ellie has appeared on numerous television and radio talk shows speaking about practical ways in which women, families and children can better understand how to save and spend their money. Her advice will serve as a resource for budget-conscious shoppers looking for tips and tools as they face a summer of rising costs for gas, food and other necessities.
In addition, Wal-Mart merchants and everyday shoppers will have the ability to contribute content to the site by offering their own ideas on how to spend wisely and save more money. Over the last six months, nearly half of Americans say they have tried to become more practical in their purchases and more budget conscious.
Tough times calls for Innovative ideas. The site allows for users to share their tips also, although I am unable to see user shared tips so far. All in all a good way to engage consumers. Making sure that they know, Wal-Mart cares for them in these tough times. No wonder Same-store sales are up.
