Uncover the Retail Giant: Your Website 

 

Do you know how many of your customers visit your website for online banking on a daily basis? I would assume the answer is a lot. But not nearly as large as the number of customers that participate in online retailing. “Customer satisfaction in online banking, while on the rise, still trails online retailing by five percentage points, 78% vs. 83%, according to Larry Freed, CEO Foresee Results¹.” 

 

This means that customers are online, and they are actually choosing to make purchases. Why shouldn’t they make purchases from you based off the information you give them from YOUR website? The answer is simple. You need to consistently be showing them the benefits of your products and services. 

 

You have a golden opportunity very few other industries have. Customers are already coming to your website to access online banking on a daily basis. In fact, “Jupiter Research projects the number of U.S. households banking online to jump from 29.6 million in 2003 to 56 million by 2008, and the percentage of those paying bills online to increase from 50% in 2003 to 85% in 2008².”  

 

Customers are going to visit your website, if for nothing else, for online banking. This is your chance to convert their experience to a retail buying visit by promoting your products and services. 

 

One simple way to do just that is to integrate a large, attractive, professionally designed ad or message space on your homepage. This is a great way to get your available products and services in the eyes of your online users. Then, don't forget to be diligent about changing that message or ad. This simple fact alone lets the user know that you are serious about your online endeavors.  

 

The sales opportunities on the web are endless in today’s fast-moving Internet age. Many customers no longer have the time or the energy to walk into your bank and ask about your products and services. It’s time to inform your customers about all you have to offer. It’s time to target specific products to specific demographics. It’s time to get on board with the online retail banking trend. If you let it, your website will make you money.  

 

¹ Bruene, Jim. Online Banking and Marketing Statistics from Net.Finance, April 20, 2007, http://www.netbanker.com/2007/04/online_banking_marketing_statistics_from_net_finance_conference.html. 

² Komanda, Kim. Online Banking’s Best Lure, http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/technology/business-software/online-bankings-best-lure-online-bill-paying.aspx#Onlinebankingsbestlureonlinebillpaying.