There are three types of Web workers – the information publisher, the service provider, and the Internet retailer.

The latter is in many ways the driving force behind many of the technology innovations that you see and discuss day in and day out. The reason, of course, is that the e-commerce landscape is hyper-competitive, and merchants continually clamor for better ways to serve their customers and optimize their revenue streams simultaneously.

However, outside of the top-tier merchants — and even they aren’t immune to the most deadly ills of a virtual ’Net presence — there is significant digital suffering to go around. In fact, some might even call it an epidemic. It’s not uncommon to hear that a retailer’s shopping cart abandonment rate has skyrocketed to more than 80 percent, or that their social media efforts are losing engaged users at an alarming rate.

Merchants are often pained by the challenge of meeting the increasingly complex expectations of users and the growing sophistication of new technology. Despite strong growth and generous projections for the future, knowing the most common ailments now will put your Web retail presence on the road to recovery. The feature article of Website Magazine’s August 2012 issue provides readers with a Web prescription for success with their digital properties. Readers will discover the most common threats to their continued e-commerce health, learn how to apply some virtual triage and discover numerous highly practical ways to turn their websites into the digital temple that was always needed and demanded.

Website Magazine is also excited to present several other useful articles and columns on a variety of topics that contribute to Web success. Readers will learn how to create a unified Web strategy with Olivier Naimi from Sony, access practical tips for increasing conversion rates with Kevin Sparks of PrismaStar, and learn the basics of responsive layouts with award-winning Web designer Robby Leonardi. You will also find techniques and tactics for the use of color in Web design, scaling a growing Web business, and articles on email, video and social media marketing, to name but a few.

There’s a lot to get through so get started right now — and remember that as a Website Magazine subscriber, this edition is also available on the Web, in digital flipbook format as well as on the iPad. Enjoy this issue and share your stories of ’Net success with our editors and the Website Magazine community online at www.websitemagazine.com.

Best Web Wishes,
Editor-in-Chief, Website Magazine
Peter@WebsiteMagazine.com