Boaz Babai will be giving a talk on Web Marketing Strategy at the Age of the Web 2.0 Revolution, at Bar-Ilan University

Boaz Babai, Founder & GM of ARPU~UP, will be giving a talk on Web Marketing Strategy at the Age of the Web 2.0 Revolution, at Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel. Babai’s presentation will focus on how companies can adapt their online marketing strategies to the fundamental changes in Internet users' usage habits brought about by the increase in popularity and functionality of Web 2.0 based applications and digital media platforms.

In his talk to the Executive MBA students at Bar-Ilan University which will take place on Thursday 26th October 2006, Babai will present effective tools of organic Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay-Per-Click (PPC), Press Release Optimization and Delivery (PR-SEO), and Blog Marketing. The lecture is a part of "Internet Marketing and Electronic Commerce" course by Dr. Ari Dothan, an associate lecturer at the Bar-Ilan University.

In the age of Web 2.0, companies must use appropriate internet marketing tools to target their audience, whether it’s the digital youth segment or the baby boomers sector. Web bookmaking, social news aggregator websites, video sharing communities, RSS delivery and other innovative Web 2.0 tools are turning to be more important viral marketing instruments than TV commercials and magazine ads to capture the consumer hearts and minds.

JupiterResearch has found that consumer-created content is having an increasing affect on online businesses. "The power of the consumer's voice has never been stronger," said David Daniels, Vice President and Research Director at JupiterResearch. "It is impacting consumer behavior and how companies operate. Smart marketers are not just reviewing consumer-created content, they are studying it and using it to develop strategies to grow their business."

E-holiday sales in US will grow to $32 billion this year

The online retail sales in US will grow to $32 Billion in this year holiday season, an increase of 18% over 2005 holiday season, according to JupiterResearch forecast. A record 114 million users, a 6% increase over last year, will buy online in 2006 holiday season.

“Retailers can maximize their opportunity with online shoppers and especially last minute shoppers,” said David Schatsky, President of JupiterKagan. “One strategy is to use upgrades to free shipping strategically with customer segments that are particularly sensitive to shipping costs, and less aggressive offers to buyers who have purchased last minute at full shipping in the past.”

75% of shoppers said free shipping is the most important factor that determines where to shop online. According to the eHoliday Mood Survey by Shop.org and BizRate Research for Shopzilla.

"In terms of the promotions, much of what the e-retail people are thinking of doing revolves around free shipping," says Joan Broughton, VP of content and education, Shop.org. "That's a good choice considering most consumers say that that's what they're looking for."