HRoth - 2:47 pm on Dec 21, 2012 (gmt 0)

Re marketing, I mention that I give samples on my main page for orders of $40 or more, and people who reorder know they can ask for samples and often ask for something specific. They usually try new things that way. I use samples to reward customers but also to get them to try things they might otherwise not. If they order blue or white widgets, I will give them a red widget to get them to try the different category. I've had customers comment happily about the samples they have gotten and then go on to order a full size of the sample or to try a different category (sometimes they don't even know I sell the other types of widgets). But I must admit that I have used samples more to encourage repeat buying than for attracting new customers. I think I will not offer just samples for sale but that I will offer "collections" of the red and blue widgets that are smaller than full size. I actually already offer collections of my green widgets that are normal size at a discount; lots of people buy these and it's a way for me to get the average order up. I have 10%-off collections also for the red or blue widgets, but since these items cost a lot more, people don't often buy them. So I will try doing smaller sizes in sets and see how that goes.