E-Tailers Investing Ahead of Recovery

Recovery from the recession is not yet in reach, but online retailers are ready to start spending all the same.

E-tailers know online consumers demand a top-notch shopping experience, and that difficulties navigating e-commerce Websites can lose them sales. Internet Retailer and Vovici Corp. found that more than seven in 10 Web merchants planned to spend more on advanced e-commerce applications and services this year.

This includes replacing a whole e-commerce platform as well as adding services such as customer reviews and ratings, product personalization, live chat and improved site search.

Social marketing was also high on e-tailers' list of priorities, with nearly one-half planning to add initiatives this year.

"The last time many retailers installed a new e-commerce platform was five years ago, and those systems aren't robust enough to support all of the new technology that's changing the very nature of how consumers are shopping online," David Fry, founder of Fry Inc., told Internet Retailer. "Smart retailers know they need to implement better technology now or they'll miss out on the recovery and a big opportunity."