WSI Retail Buzz

With pinched budgets, it's all about ROI

Email marketing’s popularity is attributable to its low cost, high ROI (Return-On-Investment) and focus
on customer retention. While the economic crisis will force retailers to cut back on many important
marketing and technology initiatives, email programs will survive relatively unscathed.
Odds are your marketing budget has felt the negative impact of growing concerns over the worldwide
economy. Small businesses and large corporations alike have been forced to erase entire sections of
their 2010 marketing “wish list” in response to a bleak economic forecast that has many marketers
evaluating the cost-effectiveness and ROI of previously ironclad marketing vehicles.
Amid the turmoil, Email marketing has remained a staple due to its cost-effectiveness and flexibility. At a
fraction of a penny per message, the value of an email campaign compared to an expensive direct mail
communication is substantial. However, getting the most from your email marketing campaigns during
tough economic times may require a different approach than what you’ve done before.
 
It is not surprising to see how advertisers continue adding to the budget for marketing activities that are
generating the greatest ROI, like searches and email marketing.
According to eMarketer, at the beginning of 2010 year, 14% of the online marketing budget is destined
for email marketing. What is more surprising, is that advertisers are giving more importance to their
email marketing campaigns than on investing in social networks, even though it is a rising trend. In the
current economy, on which marketing budgets plummet, email marketing can be as important as a
wood plank to someone stranded at sea.

Typically in any recession, there is tremendous pressure on marketers to do more with less. According to
MarketingSherpa, 24 percent of B2B and 34 percent of B2C marketers reported budget cuts this year.
Not surprising given its remarkably high return on investment, email marketing increases during tough
economic times.
Also, in email’s favor is its measurability. Marketers can quickly and effectively measure who is
responding to messages, which promotions work best and so much more.

Welcome to our newly launched WSI Retail Group site and our first blog post.

The WSI Retail Group site was created specifically for Retail Council of Canada members to provide a wealth of information and services regarding all facets of Internet Marketing. WSI Retail Group site is a must visit for Canadian retailers at any point in their online journey. For those retailers who are looking to create an online web presence to an established website with an Internet marketing strategy, the site contains leading edge information as well as tools to get you started or determine your current performance. Keeping in-line with the RCC’s commitment in bringing value to it’s members, free access to valuable tools, downloads, best practices, video’s and on-going education is within a few simple clicks. For those that require further consultation and services, WSI Retail Group is excited to discuss member priced solutions aimed at driving more online traffic and better conversion for your retail business.   

"Who is WSI?"

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, WSI (We Simplify the Internet) is a global Internet solutions provider with more than 1500 local offices in 87 countries. In Canada alone, WSI has over 100 offices specializing in the small and medium-sized market space. WSI provides Internet related marketing services and technologies that deliver maximum return on investment for businesses the world over.

WSI Retail Group is committed to improving the profitability of Canadian retailers through the use of leading-edge Internet marketing and technologies, delivered by knowledgeable, service-oriented Certified Internet Consultants. As more retail businesses realize the importance of the Internet to their continued success and growth, WSI Retail Group is ready to serve their needs with real e-business solutions.

What is an Internet Consultant?

Our Internet Consultants are specially trained and certified Internet business experts. Just like the many other business professionals and advisors you've come to depend on (such as your lawyer, your accountant, your stock broker, etc.) a WSI Retail Group Internet Consultant is in your local community to ensure your retail business realizes the full profit potential offered by the Internet. That potential goes far beyond just selling products and services online with a website; our Internet Consultants have a wide range of specialized tools at their disposal and can offer you a variety of solutions tailored specifically for your retail business. These Internet solutions can include technologies that make your day-to-day processes more efficient, save you money on operational expenses as well as Internet marketing services to better sales and customer management.

WSI Retail Group Internet Consultants may not be what you've come to expect when you think of Internet "experts", particularly if you've been approached by other Web Developers in the past. Our Internet Consultants focus on delivering true business solutions while leveraging our best of kind websites. Another difference that sets Internet Consultants apart from Web Design professionals is their goal of creating an ongoing business relationship with you. It's almost common practice in this industry for a firm to design a website for a retailer and then move on to new business, never looking back. This may work well for the Web Design firm, but it certainly doesn't work well for you. In reality, websites are only the beginning - our Internet Consultant's services will deliver far more value to your retail business and help you to achieve a real return on your website investment as you build a profitable long-term partnership.

For more information please contact WSI Retail Group today.