Proximity Marketing testblog

Ever since Christmas became the somewhat commercialised event that we know it to be today, high street traders and retails have relied quite heavily on it to provide a large chunk of their annual sales. The same can also be said for those businesses trading online, and this year sees the highest level of competition ever among websites in terms of visibility and sales. But which internet sites are heading into the Christmas period in the strongest positions?

Supermarket Websites. The recession has taken its toll on a number the small and weak online and offline retailers and the spaces have to a large extent been filled by the more powerful supermarket sites. There is a real risk that supermarket sites will begin to monopolise the markets as they continue to increase the amount of products and services they offer. That said, their approach is certainly very effective and their shareholders are likely to be very happy come January.

Affiliates. As the number of online retailers has increased over the last decade, so has the prevalence of online affiliate sites. These sites tend to advertise the products of larger successful internet sites such as IWOOT, and the larger sites then pay the affiliates commission on each lead they receive. As these affiliate sites are often owned by skilled internet marketers, they frequently get large traffic numbers and can therefore make large profits themselves, especially over busy holiday periods.

Niche Internet Sites. Even though supermarket sites that offer every product under the sun will do well this Christmas, more niche sites that have carved out a space for themselves in different markets will prosper also. Sites such as I Want One of Those, who sell gadgets and boys toys, will do very well this year as they have a loyal following of customers and can offer more specialised items that the bigger sites simply cannot.