Nov 2017 Average Sales Online at IndieCommerce Sites up 31%

Sales data collected by Google Analytics for November 2017 showed that aggregate online sales for IndieCommerce sites were up 31 percent compared to the same period in 2016.

IndieCommerce sites also experienced dramatic increases in the average conversion rate, which increased by more than 22 percent over November 2016. The average value of an online order placed during this period also increased from $46 to $49.09.

The Google data also indicates that there was substantial growth in the online sale of signed books and prepaid tickets for store-sponsored events.

Booksellers can visit IndieCommerce.org to learn more about IndieCommerce and IndieLite, the American Booksellers Association’s e-commerce platforms for independent bookstores.

E-commerce Education at Winter Institute

If you are attending WInter Institute 2018, there are quite a few opportunities to learn more about online marketing and website optimization. Here are a two for you to consider. We’ll be mentioning more of these in upcoming IndieCommunications.
 

1. Take Your Social Media to the Next Level: Strategic Best Practices for Retail and E-commerce Businesses - Successful social media marketing requires more than just posting and sharing content. Retailers that understand the power of engagement and customer relationships can generate name recognition, sales, on-site visitors, and more. Learn how to develop a more informed, organized, goal-oriented approach to your social media that will help you achieve your digital marketing goals. Identify how social media marketing can target the right audiences and grow your bottom line. This class will benefit any bookseller that has clearly defined digital marketing goals, currently manages one or more social media accounts, and is actively marketing on social media on a daily or weekly basis. Details are available here. The session is being taught by Sarah
    
2. One on one sessions - IndieCommerce and IndieLite are ABA’s online platforms for marketing events and author appearances as well as selling books and other merchandise. Both users and non-users of IndieCommerce and IndieLite are invited to schedule a one-on-one time with a program specialist from the IndieCommerce team. Space is limited, but walk-ins are welcome. Hours are offered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Details and signup are here.

Booksellers Share Innovative Holiday Marketing Tips

’Tis the season when indie booksellers are donning festive sweaters, whipping up batches of hot cocoa, and unwrapping their seasonal marketing strategies to attract customers during the final weeks of the holiday shopping season.

In addition to decking their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages with tidings of holiday promotions, booksellers shared ideas with each other during the American Booksellers Association’s most recent online marketing roundtable discussion on November 30.

Check out the full article in Bookselling This Week for holiday marketing tips shared by booksellers during the recent roundtable and on social media.

Tip of the Week

The online fraud season is upon us. Last December, the IndieCommerce team saw a major surge in attempted fraudulent orders during the first two weeks of December. The team was able to stop many of these before they turned into chargebacks because stores were quick in reporting suspicious orders, allowing IndieCommerce staff to check the entire system for similar orders. Booksellers can take a look at this information on Fraudulent Order Red Flags.

Booksellers are urged to report suspicious orders to IndieCommerce so that these orders can be investigated and stopped before they get processed. As a network of online stores, IndieCommerce participating booksellers have the unique ability to share fraud information and stop it. Booksellers who suspect online fraud should e-mail [email protected] with details.

For past editions of IndieCommunication, visit this page.