You’d never head out on a road trip without a map—or, more likely, your car’s GPS system. The same concept applies when hunting for a product or service on the web. If a site doesn’t provide you with a well-planned, easily navigable interface, you’re likely to feel just as frustrated as you would on a desolate stretch of interstate without a road sign in sight. Frustrated, and highly unlikely to get to where you want to go.

The importance of effective website navigation has skyrocketed along with the widespread  use of search engines. Earlier this year, eCommerce analysts estimated that only 25% of online consumers begin the shopping process at a site’s home page, with a large majority landing directly on other pages via Google, Yahoo, or a shopping comparison site. With shoppers dropping in at multiple locations throughout your site, it’s critical that you present them with a cohesive, context-independent navigational structure that shows how the page fits into the grand scheme of things.
Read the remainder of Are We There Yet? eCommerce Navigation Mistakes

In today’s tough economy, no business is immune to the nationwide belt-tightening efforts. Penny-pinching consumers are spending less and saving more, resulting in sagging sales for eCommerce stores, especially those that peddle non-essential goods and services.

Until things improve on the financial horizon, online sellers may need to shift their marketing focus. While it may not be the ideal time to attract new prospects, you can help to recoup revenue losses by working at boosting the average size of the orders that are still coming in. This retention strategy leverages the loyalty of your existing customers to pad their shopping carts—and your bottom line.

Boosting average order size is easier than you might think. Below are some simple strategies you can start using today: Read the rest of Tips for Boosting Average Order Size