IRCE 2009 Session Descriptions

Listed below is the individual session description. To view a speakers' bio simply click the links inside the session description.

Day One—June 15, 2009: Small Retailers' Survival Guide Workshop

Web Site Design, Navigation & Usability: A Small Retailers' Survival Guide
As retailing remains in a challenging economic environment, the competition for online customers will be fierce. One way to ensure that you get your share of online shoppers is by creating a compelling shopping experience. The stakes will be even higher for small retailers who will find themselves facing large chains and established online retailers with the resources, even in a less-than-ideal economy, to invest in attracting and retaining customers. This day-long workshop will feature expert and retailers who will address specifically how smaller retailers can create sites that will allow them to compete with the biggest.

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Creating outstanding design on a budget

Patrick Conboy, Founder & President, ElderLuxe

Christopher Pawloski, Art Director, Solid Cactus

Halley Silver, Director, E-Commerce, King Arthur Flour

The first thing that grabs shoppers is a web site's design. But not all retailers can afford high priced designers with experience. This session will go into detail on the latest, most compelling site designs, with current examples, and tell retailers how they can achieve the same thing without spending bucketloads of money. Among the topics: the prime elements that create instant engagement; placement of elements on a page; specific wording and images that capture readers' attention; the importance of search engine landing pages vs. the home page; font colors, type sizes, image sizes and amount of copy to create the optimal experience for shoppers.