After my last post, I came across this error message and thought it exemplified all the qualities that a noticeable error message should exhibit.

1. It’s in a contrasting color (I know on our last conversation red was discussed and is used here, but if your site’s overall color-scheme is red it will not be effective at catching your customer’s attention).

2. It’s located in a place that the customer is already looking. By placing the error message where your customers last click was, there …

Today we (FutureNow, FUTR.OB),  issued a press release where we “sorta kinda” spilled the beans. We’re only accepting alpha clients right now and we’re not disclosing the name yet (hence, its code name: “Dr. Phil”) but we’re psyched. This is the best thing FutureNow has ever done. Check it …

Here are the top 10 converting websites for June 2008*. These are based on Nielson Panel data and are calculated by toolbar user to final conversion.

1. ProFlowers 28.40%
2. Office Depot 25.60%
3. FTD.com 24.30%
4. 1800flowers.com 20.30%
5. Lane Bryant Catalog 18.7%
6. QVC 17.50%
7. Eddie Bauer 16.8%
8. …

I was recently looking for a new speaker stand for my iPod. It would never even occur to me to go into my local electronics store to see what was available and what might be right for me. …

Every retailer I have spoken with in the last couple of months keeps telling me they feel they have problems with their category pages. If you feel the same way then you aren’t alone.

I can’t think of many retailers who feel that their category pages are awesome. However, retailers keep …

The latest trend in online retail…..Brett Hurt, CEO of Bazaarvoice just sent an email out to his advisors with Paris Hilton in the subject line. I was surprised and CURIOUS, but of course, it was totally appropriate and completely business related. Are you curious too?

Hmmm, I wonder …

Ever wonder what happens when you watch your customers put loads of merchandise in their shopping cart; spend a significant amount of time on your site and then all of a sudden abandon it?

Ever get frustrated that they didn’t utilize …

I’m always looking for another good read, especially if it’s on my Kindle. My friend, Patrick Sullivan, Jr. spoiled me by giving me a Kindle as a gift. How did I ever live without it?

Joe Nocera lists 14 books he likes in no particular order in “The Best …

Last week at the Shop.org conference, I offered attendees a report on how they ranked on our 2007 Customer Experience Study and the ability to be among the first sites reviewed for our 2008 benchmarks. I …

As a self-professed tool junkie, I’m a sucker for shiny new tools. I love tools of any kind — Web tools, software tools, and on a Sunday morning you might even find me …