by Michael Bridges

Created on: April 17, 2009

Ever see an item that you just had to stop and take a look at? Now think back, was it actually the item being sold that got you r attention or was it the way it was being presented? Chances are it was some of both with the presentation carrying more bang. You can use the same strategy to set your products apart online? Offering creative packaging to your customers that reels them in with either curiosity or excitement makes them run head long into your online store.

You might ask, what draws attention? Creative displays and bright colors can help draw attention, especially for the younger crowd. If you are trying to sell iPods, don't just put an image of an iPod up by itself. Show a group of young people sharing an iPod with one earpiece. Think of the monitor as a form of "display window" for you online products and if used right it can be quite persuasive.

If you do videos, set them apart from all the other videos out there, put skins around the videos that are different from anything else. You can put up some colorful abstract video frames to help the images stand out on the page. You can also make your written copy pop by using playful fonts and colors to emphasize particular words or features of your products.

Bundling is another packaging idea that can make you more sales. You can create a packaging bundle for several of your online products. You can either package them together, show images of them being used together, or you can offer them as backend offers. Even if only a small portion of your buyers take you up on the offer, it still means more money in your online cash register.

You can use applications like interactive games, quizzes, or polls to pull people into the window. This takes them from being a voyeur to someone who is actively engaged with your products and business. There are two benefits you get from this. First, you can solicit feedback to improve your products and services. Second, you can give people a taste of your offerings with promotional offers, discounts, or "thanks for playing," offers.

For the most part, online buyers want to buy products and services they can't get anywhere else and in a manner that they specifically customize. If you have a way to help them customize their buying or browsing experience, they will visit your online store again and again, even when they don't have a thing in mind to buy. That's because they will want to play with the tools you provide on your site. Do some research on how to bundle various items people might want together in one package and see if you are offering new tools or promotions that can help them with their needs.

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