Website marketing engagement urged

Companies should aim to keep customers on their websites in order to boost their marketing and sales success, according to an online marketing firm.

The Deloitte Christmas Survey 2008 estimates that around £4.7 billion will be spent online this Christmas.

This is an increase of ten per cent compared to 2007, with more than half of consumers claiming that they will not change their shopping habits during the credit crunch.

However, Thomas Herbert, product manager at Hostway, claims that businesses must be aware of the online marketing techniques to boost their website traffic.

He said: “It’s all about keeping your customers on your website. Is it engaging?

“You’ve got to provide the content that will allow customers to see your product as close as you can and also to try and introduce them to other products.”

He also urged firms to aim to get consumers “excited” about their brand - which could prove pivotal to festive success, with around half of Deloitte survey respondents indicating that they intend to buy some gifts online.