You’ve heard them all – Cyber Monday, eDay, dMonday, and xMonday was even thrown into the mix. But is there any truth to the hype, or were these days just coined by savvy online retailers and internet marketing companies? According to our calculations, there is some fact to the furor.

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past year – or simply shopping at those, oh, what do you call them, brick-and-mortar stores – Cyber Monday is a clever name for the Monday following Thanksgiving when online retail sales are supposedly highest. The term was coined by Shop.org in 2005, claiming the increased online sales were due to individuals shopping from their high-speed internet connections at the office. Although this statistic turned out to be false (Cyber Monday ’05 was only the ninth highest online spending day), it was the highest retail traffic day, much to the dismay of bosses everywhere. After learning that Shop.org’s calculations were off, people tried to predict the “real” Cyber Monday for 2006. Again, the conjectures were wrong, but they did succeed at creating equally hokey names. Some guessed that December 4th, not surprisingly named “eDay,” would prove to be the most lucrative for online retailers because consumers would “window shop” on Cyber Monday – check out deals and compare prices – then wait a week to make purchases. After eDay came and went, and retailers weren’t seeing the sales spikes they’d anticipated, another day was doubtlessly deemed “Delivery Deadline Monday” or “dMonday.” Retailers thought this Monday would have the highest sales because it was two weeks before Christmas, just enough time to get standard shipping rates on orders. For those procrastinators with fewer monetary qualms, a high-sale prediction was made for December 18th and termed “xMonday.”

It seems that if one cannot be bothered with visiting an actual brick-and-mortar store, said person also cannot be bothered with completing their holiday shopping early. Overall, SearchAdNetwork, a search engine marketing agency based out of Denver, found Monday, December 18th or xMonday to have the most spikes in average daily revenue. Individuals realized that they could still get their orders in time for the big day; they’d just have to pay a little more for shipping. The 18th also falls around the time that most people receive their Christmas bonuses, giving them a little bit of extra spending money. dMonday was the second highest average revenue day. These dawdling shoppers were just a bit more frugal than their xMonday shopping counterparts.

SearchAdNetwork’s Media Agent revealed an interesting trend this holiday shopping season – all Mondays and Tuesdays were high revenue days. In past years, it was hypothesized that shoppers were waiting until the weekend was over to take advantage of high-speed internet connections at the office. This explanation becomes null as more and more people subscribe to high-speed internet services at home. The real reason for this increase in online sales at the beginning of the week may be that individuals use computers at work so that family members cannot see what they are ordering or check the history. After discussing wish lists over the weekend, parents may try to outsmart sly kids by doing all online shopping from the office.

Highest ROAS percentage day was one statistic the Denver search engine marketing company found to be constant among all retail clients. It is not shocking that it fell on a familiar day of the week – Monday, December 11 or dMonday. What is rather surprising is that dMonday was not the highest Ad Spend day, nor was it in the top ten for most clients. Seeing as though dMonday was not the highest revenue day either, this finding is certainly curious. It seems that shoppers were more willing to take the extra effort on this day to search out items they wanted, instead of simply relying on the first advertisement displayed by search engines. Or the high ROAS may be explained away as the first wave of the “oh-no-must-buy-presents-now” thought process.

SearchAdNetwork’s reports show another interesting trend – December 26 was an uncharacteristically high revenue day for each retail clients. SAN has a number of theories for this post-Christmas sales spike; some based on actual data, some on knowledge of our client’s products and others based on experiences with giving and receiving presents. SAN believes that many people were online purchasing accessories and complimentary products for items they received as presents. There is strong proof for this conjecture based on the average order size on December 26 – although there were a greater number of orders, the average amount spent on each order was small. This means that individuals weren’t purchasing big-ticket items; instead, they were ordering all the fun and necessary parts for larger gifts. Another reason for this revenue spike could be that people did not receive what they wanted for Christmas and decided they must take matters into their own hands. Or they were simply using money they had received as a present to purchases items online.

One client that specializes in fitness equipment saw an exceptionally large sales spike on Christmas day. This increase could be due to individuals feeling self-conscious and out-of-shape after eating a giant holiday feast. Again, these sales could be due to people spending money they had received as a gift. Giving someone a treadmill for Christmas can seem insulting, even if they had asked for it; therefore, loved ones may have given money instead so the receiver could make their own fitness purchase.

According to comScore, the 2006 holiday season saw a 26 percent increase in e-commerce spending over 2005; yet, Cyber Monday proved less than electric for online retail sales. In 2006, SearchAdNetwork found that the “real” Cyber Monday – the one day of the winter holiday season with the highest online revenue – was December 18th. Coming in at a close second and also the day with the highest ROAS percentage was Monday, December 11th. This data suggests that due to the convenience of online shopping, customers wait until the absolute last minute to make their purchases even if it means spending more on shipping costs. SearchAdNetwork’s reports also show an increase in average revenue on all Mondays and Tuesdays. This early-week trend reveals the purchasing patterns of shoppers along with the snooping tendencies of children, suggesting that parents wait until returning to work to quickly and secretly order gifts from internet retailers. The internet marketing firm also noted a spike in online revenue on December 26th when people were shopping for accessories and complimentary items to gifts received the day before. Overall, SearchAdNetwork saw a major increase in sales and ROAS for all clients. Without a doubt, there were plenty of reasons for online retailers and internet marketing businesses to celebrate the 2006 holiday season.

Nate Hackr Woerds
http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-articles/the-real-cyber-monday-98731.html

Make money online now by helping large marketing and research firms

If you have not heard about this way to make money online, you’ve got to check it out. It is not a wide known practice and it is extremely high paying and anyone can do it from the comforts of their own home.

It is specifically ideal for retirees looking to do something, work at home moms, college students or someone simply looking for some easy extra quick cash online. Many, such as me, have turned this secret into an online home business.

Many people dream of having their own online home business, but they often can’t answer the question “how to make money online”. That said, many have successfully “done it” successfully.

It is not hard if you are equipped with the right information and tools. You too can make money online from home like anyone else. These companies have billions of dollars set aside just for people like you and I. It’s just too bad that they are not allowed to contact us until we tell them that we are interested in helping them out.

See large marketing and research firms are paid by their corporate clients to gather market data. The more accurate the research data the better. So in order to provide the best service for their corporate customers, these research firms reach out to people like you and I to ask our opinions and feedback on certain services and products companies are planning to launch. There is no better research data than first hand consumer data from people like us who use products made by companies every day.

There are many ways to generate internet income, but this particular way to make money online has proven extremely lucrative for me because of the flexibility and growth potential it has to offer. The best part is that it doesn’t cost any money. It will cost you some time, but so will every other job won’t it? The good part about this opportunity is that you are paid well, sometimes over $150 an hour.

Companies know that our time and feedback are valuable and they are willing to pay top dollar for what we have to say. After all their product decisions are based on what we say we want and need.

Make sure to visit my site if you want to start to make money online now. The best thing about this opportunity is that you can grow your checks exponentially. So instead of getting a steady $300-400 every month, you can get $1,200-$1,600 easily if not more. You can put your online home business on auto pilot after you have learned the “inside tricks” of the game.

I have summarized all that information for you for free on my site. Make sure you pay a visit before the free doors are closed. The website might soon become a subscription site due to the overwhelming demand it has received.

Sunil S
http://www.articlesbase.com/online-business-articles/make-money-online-now-622732.html

It’s no wonder the idea of earning a comfortable living while staying at home appeals to millions of people, and for almost as many reasons. With the costs of child care, transportation and other expenses that arise from simply having a job, some are finding that it can be lucrative to establish a business from home, saving money at the same time.

But what really is involved with working from home, and can money actually be made without spending a fortune in start-up costs? Here are a few helpful tips and ideas to consider on your road to making money working from home.

First, in order to be sensible, one must explore the realities of working from home such as; do you have the discipline it takes to be profitable? To many of us the thought of having no boss looming over our shoulders or barking orders at us to be highly enticing. Alternately, make sure you find ways to stay motivated and remember the importance of being focused and success-driven.

Once you’ve established that you mean business, so to speak, and are determined to succeed, you must decide if you haven’t already what it is you’re going to do to make money. With the advent of the internet and a myriad of technological advances, it really is possible to stay at home and earn an income in a variety of fields.

Some of the most popular legitimate home-based businesses that can be quite prosperous are ones that you can do right from your home computer. With a decent internet connection and a PC that has a good word processing or graphics program you can earn money in a number of ways. Have you always been told you have a flair for words? Then consider a career in writing or some aspect of the world of journalism. There are a multitude of writing and proofreading jobs available for those who know their way around subjects and predicates. Use a search engine to look for freelance writing or editing and proofreading jobs and be prepared to spend some time in front of your computer.

Maybe you have experience in medical terminology or are an excellent typist? In that case there are hundreds of companies that hire transcriptionists to work from home, and not only in the medical field either. Some hire people to do telemarketing or internet marketing from home in which case you could put your savvy sales skills to good use. And there are those who even hire administrative assistants and look for secretarial services from people working from home.

If graphic design is your forte, perhaps you can start a web design service and create web pages for internet sites. Millions of companies are constantly in need of updated logos, business cards, letterhead and brochures. Not to mention the need for professionally done flyers, press releases and business letters.

There are also several other types of profitable home-based businesses that are enhanced by the internet and technology. Consider a wedding consulting service with your own web page detailing what you offer. There are careers to be had in the real estate and insurance industries along with tutoring services and even in the world of photography or music. Or maybe you’ve always had a special love for animals and want to try your hand at starting a pet sitting service?

Whatever it is that you are talented or skilled at, there’s always a way to make money doing it from home. With a lot of research and a little common sense, you can easily earn a healthy living and become your own boss.

Holding onto your first job while trying out your new business part-time, and also building clientele in the process, is an excellent idea, especially if you’re leery of a complete transition right away. This gives you the opportunity to explore several options if needed before deciding on what’s exactly right for you.

Paul Jesse
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/is-it-possible-to-make-money-working-from-home-114121.html

Tips on Designing Your Small Business Website

There are all sorts of websites out there, and clearly some of them are working much harder than others. How can you be sure your website will be a champion?

The key is website planning and strategy. Think of your website as an employee and make sure you hire the right one. If you approach this project with clear goals in mind, you will be rewarded with a lucrative asset to your business. What’s most important? The questions below will get you started.

1. What are your specific business goals?

How could your website help you achieve them? Need to increase sales through cross selling? Your website could educate customers about using your products or services together for greater value. Need to reduce time spent in customer service on the phone? You can promote your website as your primary customer service centre, helping to redirect queries that can be easily solved. A little time spent planning a job description for your site will result in a website that works harder for your money.

2. Who is your target market?

What are they looking for in your type of business? Your website will have to appeal to them and speak to their needs. If your site clearly addresses your customers’ needs, visitors will spend more time there and will be more likely to become paying customers. How can your website add value for them? If you need ideas have a look at competitor websites and imagine you are their customer. Identify what they have done well and capitalize on their mistakes. Look at other websites that you like. How did they make such a good impression?

3. What do customers like best about your business?

Is it your high quality products? Your value for money? Your speedy customer service? Your friendly staff? Whatever it is your website should reflect those aspects of your business. They are what set you apart. If you’re not sure why people come back to you consider undertaking a customer satisfaction survey to find out.

4. Do you have identifiable branding that represents the unique personality of your business?

If not, develop a branding identity that will set you apart from competitors, starting with a logo that communicates the character of your business. The visual design of your website is an extension of your brand identity. Be sure your website is dressed for success and represents your business as nothing less than credible and professional.

5. Do you have the time and skills to prepare your own content?

Be realistic here. Your written text should be concise, focus on customer needs, and use language that your customers understand. If writing isn’t your thing, consider hiring a copywriter to massage your copy or even write it for you. Make use of images and video where it will be useful to customers. If you don’t have quality images at hand, consider hiring a photographer or buying stock photography. Don’t be tempted to cut corners and compromise quality just to save a few bucks. The impact of your content is critical to your website’s success.

6. How can you take advantage of interactivity?

There’s no substitute for experiencing your product or service in person, but as this may be your only chance to make an impression, make the most of it! Establish what your customers are interested in, give it to them and lead them to action through the interactive nature of the Internet. Engage them with online competitions, printable discount vouchers, product demonstrations, live help, customer feedback surveys, etc. Interactivity can also be a great way to build your customer database or gather market research about your visitors.

7. What is a realistic budget for your website?

To plan and implement a website strategy you’ll need to invest upwards of a few thousand dollars to do it right the first time. Think carefully about your budget. Does it seem reasonable given your business goals? Think about the bottom line benefits in terms of potential cost savings as well as revenue potential.

8. How can you promote your website?

First and foremost, put your domain name on everything! Letterhead, invoices, signs, sales tags, whatever you can. It’s much easier to remember a website address than a phone number. To attract new customers via the Internet you’ll need to harness the search engines. Search engine marketing involves optimizing your website so it’s visible to customers searching for your type of business. If you are in a competitive market, you may need to budget for comprehensive search engine optimization for your site. If you’re looking at search engines as a major source of new customers you may also consider adding ‘pay-per-click’ advertising to the mix.

9. Will you manage your own updates?

Keeping your website fresh provides a reason for visitors to return to your website. If you plan to make regular content updates, consider investing in a Content Management System costing as little as a few hundred dollars. It makes more sense to pay your website developer for ongoing development rather than simple changes to content that you can make yourself.

10. How do you know if your website is a champion?

After your site has been live for several months, quantify the gains generated by your website and identify the impact your investment has made on the business. Using software tools you can establish which parts of your website are performing well, and which parts need tweaking. A website strategy is never really complete. You can always improve on the status quo. Set a regular schedule for review and don’t forget to budget for strategy changes and ongoing development.

http://www.eyeswideopen.com.au/

Zoe Gray is the Creative Director of Magnetik. Magnetik provides a one-stop-shop for online marketing, including website design and development, search engine marketing, and logo and corporate identity design. http://www.eyeswideopen.com.au/

Jazzy
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/small-business-websites-10-steps-to-success-125973.html

The Internet presents a wealth of information about home equity loans and companies that offer them via online means. Since the Web is now considered a legitimate channel for financial transactions, the information you can obtain online (granted that the site is the real deal) will help save you time and money against having to personally visit the bank or the lender for a loan. As long as you have the right documents, pass all the requirements and have a good credit rating, you can successfully obtain a equity loan online.

You can choose from two kinds of home equity loans. The standard home equity loan works like a traditional loan. You will be given a lump sum based on your home’s (collateral’s) equity, which you will need to pay in installments under a specific and agreed time frame. The interest rate for this type of loan is fixed all throughout the transaction’s duration.

The other kind of equity loans is the home equity line of credit. Most people find this more convenient than the standard home equity loan because though you are allowed a maximum amount to borrow, you may choose not to take out everything all at once.

For instance, if your home has a $50,000 equity, you can borrow just $20,000 now and then follow with the rest later. The interest rates also vary depending on the time you borrowed a particular amount. This will afford you greater freedom in managing your debts.

You should put some time and energy into looking for the right loan for you, and you should try and get as much information about the loan as you possibly can. Of course, you can’t rely on just this article to tell you everything you need to know about home equity loans and what options you have. Here are some of the top home loan providers you can find online.

The internet is a great way of finding your loan sources, it contrary to the past many online businesses have nicer and more flexible deals that companies ever had before. You can do some research for home equity loans providers online. A quick Google or Yahoo search will have you swimming through hundreds and thousands of companies that all guarantee to give the best rates and services. However, you must always be vigilant and careful about what companies you choose to do business with.

Remember, while the Internet is increasing in legitimacy, there still are fly-by-night home loan companies whose only goal is to dupe you into giving them your personal information. Transact only with the mortgage lender that has been in operation for quite a while already and whose reputation is strong and positive. Doing business with the wrong people could not only put you in deeper debt but could also cost you your home.

David Evermon
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/online-home-equity-loan-services-76510.html

You probably have heard of stories of average folks visiting a certain website. Then, purchased a product in hopes to get rich or make some fair amount of money with that online marketing business opportunity.

Here’s a true story of what happened just recently.

My friend (we shall call her Sally) had wanted to join into an online marketing business opportunity. Now, we all know that adsense is a way to generate income from Google. You place an advertisement box generated by Google adsense, people click, you earn. I’m not going into that detail so I’ll continue with my story.

She bought an opportunity (an affiliate program) from one of that Google Adsense site for about US$49.97. I’m not too sure about the exact price today and there were pictures of nice boats, cars and a luxurious house upfront the website. This website even had pictures of an account snapshot! Lo and behold, it was a very basic e-book that she bought and not very useful I must say. I told her to refund it but alas, the webmaster never responded. Money went down the drain.

This is probably a familiar story. One that would have been written all over the faces of those that fell victim or even as told by your friends. But I want to impress upon you the 5 things that you were never told about an online marketing business opportunity.

Ready ? Let’s go.

1. Don’t buy the hype

Countless times, newbie’s or beginners on the internet has been taken over emotionally about what has been promised online. In other words, you might have bought something from emotion before. Nothing wrong, just try to control yourself.

2. Contact the webmaster

It’s a good try to do so. You need to know if there is going to be support after you make the purchase. Besides, you’re buying it online so even if you can’t see the person in real life it would be important to get some sort of response.

3. Search in Google or yahoo for some reviews

You’re better off doing a quick 5 minutes search in google.com or yahoo.com by typing in this phrase “website name: reviews”. Once you have some results, click on them and read up a little.

4. Ask a friend about it

This one is a little tricky. You should ask someone you know who’s already in the online marketing arena to advise you if this is something legitimate. Usually, some of your friends might have fallen for the same feat you’re about to undertake and they could provide you some useful advice and caveats.

5. Check the web order page

Chances are that you might be ‘robbed’ online with the technology level now working on the internet. But it wouldn’t hurt to check when you’re really making an order. Go to the address bar and look for an “https://” ; the letter ‘s’ denotes that the site is secure and not fraudulent.

These are just 5 quick steps for you to make a wise decision on purchasing anything or getting into an online marketing business opportunity. I don’t encourage you to make mistakes and then go make some more but to learn from them.

So, with every move you make ensure that you do your very own due diligence. This in turn ensures your foundation to getting the most out of online opportunities.

Vern How Chan
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/online-marketing-business-opportunity-the-5-things-you-were-never-told-84734.html

Nothing to lose in network marketing home businesses!

Home business network marketing has never been easier these days. With the emergence of electronic tools and other gadgetry, coupled with the Internet, your task has been chopped down in half.

Nothing can beat the business or opportunity that network marketing home businesses can offer.

Besides, how do you beat working at home in your blue jeans, never going to an office, and making more money than the people you might have worked for?

Once an network marketing business is established and well under way, a typical week might take as little as 3 to 5 hours of some form of enjoyable work to keep your business running smoothly. That’s it. It depends on your prefered level of involvement.

It does not take a rocket scientist to make a network marketing business work but the more you put into it the more success you will enjoy. There are also no magic bullets, books, software, devices, meetings, and tapes that can make it any harder or easier.

Many years ago, just the thought of network marketing, affiliate programs, franchises and home businesses were enough to scare people off. The reason? All the extra hours that people have to put in to make things happen.

There are also those network marketing home business programs that say they are the best. Only to turn out bankrupt in an instant. This and other reasons of the same kind have marked network marketing as phony and the people behind, not to be trusted.

If these people only had to think for a while, they would have realized that there is no such thing as best program and best company. The concept of being the “best” is depending on the characteristics inherent that is shown and is approved by others.

Reading, studying and learning about network marketing home business is the most effective way. Then it would be now up to the marketer to think how he or she can input those learnings in his own network marketing home business.

In order to build your business, you need to understand one simple aspect. It is a business and definitely not a hobby. Also remember that nothing is free. In fact some of the more successful marketers have realised that the more quality programs and ventures will cost some amount of money to set up, just like any other business.

Therefore it is best to understand up front that you are going to have to spend some time and money in establishing your business. Some may only require a once off membership fee and maybe a monthly admin fee to get your business off the ground, however membership fees may give you full reseller’s rights to available products such as software etc. That means you pay once and sell the products as often as you can with all profits going directly to you.

Understand also that things being offered for free are not likely to be useful and effective. If things are free then you probably will get free stuff that would not work.

Find a product or service that you really like. Join a company that sells just that. Then build your own network marketing home business using a system that can work using the internet.

People all over the world have been using this proven method of generating huge incomes for many years and there is no reason why you can’t join them.

Therefore, if you desire more income while still working a 9 to 5 job, or to build your retirement income then should seriously consider a network based home business as your vehicle for you and your family’s financial well being.

The Benefits in Summary

Working from home.

Work your own hours

Receive greater income in months rather than years.

Much easier these days due to technology.

Internet based environment

May only require a once off fee or small monthly admin fee.

Tony Thomas

Like to know more about home based business opportunites?

Visit www.extensiveincome.com

Exploring Home Based Businesses

Tony Thomas – Extensive Income
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/generating-an-income-from-home-the-legitimate-way-103661.html

Here’s the situation: You created your Branding site with the sole purpose of branding you and your business. You have your Sales Letter site with a long sales letter. The sales letter contains a link with the phrase “Click here to buy it now” at least 12-15 times. So what’s next? There are two more sites that you need to create.

Remember, the four website types your need include: Branding site, Sales Letter site, Blog, and Power Squeeze page. Let’s examine a Blog and Power Squeeze page.

What is a Blog? Blog is short for weblog. Blogs are all the rage right now. Therefore, they are yet another effective way to reach website visitors. Post articles, press releases, and any information about your business on your Blog. Insider tip – place an opt-in box on your Blog. If a website visitor likes your Blog they may also like your products and/or services.

What is a Power Squeeze page? Think of making orange juice. You squeeze the juice out of the orange for its fruity goodness. The Power Squeeze page is an electronic way to obtain customer information. The sole purpose of a power squeeze page is to capture personal information. Nothing else! In other words, you give your website visitor two options: subscriber or hit the road.

Avoid asking for too much information in the beginning of your relationship with the customer. Why? It’s been found that the more information you require, the less information you will actually receive. Many customers do not feel comfortable giving out a great amount of detailed information to someone they don’t know. Even though you are legitimate and honest, the customer has to see proof before they trust you.

Power Squeeze page insider tip: Ask for the “Primary” email address when you capture personal information. You want the email that the customer reads and uses all the time. For example, email addresses from their Internet provider or work address are the emails you want. The goal is to avoid web email addresses they never check or fake email addresses. Check out http://www.promotingtips.com for a great example of a Power Squeeze page.

Implement these four types of websites and watch your Internet businesses grow by leaps and bounds.

Matt Bacak
http://www.articlesbase.com/entrepreneurship-articles/4-websites-crucial-to-your-internet-business-part-two-139199.html