solly - 4:50 pm on Aug 20, 2006 (gmt 0)

Few thoughts...

As for AOL users (or anyone else)...I would say to assign a cookie ID or session ID and write that to a log file with the page viewed. That way, you can track them more easily.

And, as for conversions...a $200 item is not an impulse buy online. I wouldn't spend $200 on something online until I thought about it....a lot. I want to see it in person, look at it, examine it. Your return visit buy rate reinforces this theory. I would give it a few more months to see what happens. If sales increase, then you are on the right track. If not, maybe the representation you have of the items are not selling the aspect of what it is you are selling...maybe more pics...more "why this is better"...or something.

Do you have a "newsletter" that you could email out once a month for people who are interested? It will "keep you in mind" for birthdays, and the holidays.

And, this is a business decision and I don't know what it would do to your image--but have you thought about a different line for online shoppers? You say that your B&M shop is for "visiting tourist customers." People will spend money on vacation that they wouldn't spend otherwise. And the people taking vacations are usually wealthier than those who are online. A cheap crap line might work better online...but, it could be a slippery slope that kills your high end sales...like I said, it is a business decision.

I think every situation is different. You may have reached the majority of people who can spend that much money on an item and not have to worry about it. You could try some PPC, but be careful and watch your ROI. Try very specific keywords. Good luck!