What sort of features attract online shoppers during the holiday season? There are a great many, but for this discussion we’re going to look at wish lists, saved carts and a variety of delivery methods. All of these options often beat out their near-equivalents of registries (though most people don’t register for the holidays!), layaway and order by mail or catalog. First we’re going to look at the benefits of each and then how those benefits outweigh their similar components, listed herein.

Wish lists allow individuals to shop online and select the items they want to receive so that shoppers can quickly enter a wish list and select those items they’d like to purchase. Wish lists allow shoppers to be certain that the recipient will like the gift, while allowing still for an element of surprise. Wish lists work similarly to a registry, however, most people use registries for bridal and baby showers, as well as wedding gifts; perhaps registries are even used for housewarming gifts. Walking into, for example, Bloomingdales and asking to see someone’s holiday registry is rare, if not completely unheard of (unless that person is having a wedding or baby near the holidays).

The ability to save carts allow shoppers to shop online, and purchase their selections later. This is useful if perhaps someone doesn’t yet have the funds available to purchase a particular product, or if they’re waiting until they reach the minimum limit in order to receive free shipping. Or perhaps, they know they will purchase additional products from that website and don’t wish to initiate multiple yet similar transactions. Saved carts can also be edited, in case shoppers change their minds. Layaway, however, requires at least a deposit, which is sometimes non-refundable.

What are the benefits of multiple delivery options? For one, for those shoppers who like to do their shopping last minute, delivery can often be arranged for Next-Day or 2-Day air, though that option can often be expensive. However, some people require Saturday deliveries, while some delivery companies do not distribute or deliver on Saturdays, so a variety of shipping options is often an appreciated benefit of online shopping. Furthermore, for those shoppers sending gifts to distant relatives and friends, additional shipping options can even include gift wrapping and cards with personalized messages. Delivery can be arranged by a specific date to ensure that the present reaches the recipient on time.  Understanding the reasons shoppers look to the internet is crucial to implementing successful internet marketing strategies.

What do the holidays mean to you? Of course, one of the main elements that come to mind when we think about the holiday season is family. The holidays are a time when we get to see our family, but not only see them; we get to make them smile. Part of that process often includes purchasing a gift that we know they want to receive. More and more, holiday shoppers are turning to the internet for several reasons in general, including the absence of lines, busy schedules and ease of finding the best product for the best price.

One of the most frustrating processes of holiday shopping for most shoppers is waiting on line. Holiday shopping lines to check out and purchase products are notoriously long, sometimes stretching to the back of a store, or perhaps even wrapping around and weaving through aisles. Toward the beginning of the holiday season, this may seem exciting and novel, but after several frantic shopping sessions, the need to stand on line is nothing short of frustrating.

Shopping online removes the needs for lines. Shoppers select the product they want and electronically add the necessary quantity into their shopping cart or shopping bag, or whatever the website on which they’re shopping elects to call the collection of products to be purchased. Many businesses even offer free shipping if a customer buys enough product. Online coupons can even be distributed to anyone who subscribes to an email list.

As the holidays draw ever closer, shoppers’ schedules begin to fill with parties, planning and even last minute business needs as the year prepares to draw to a close along with the fourth quarter. Finding time to shop, especially when lines are long, becomes increasingly difficult, and shopping in person can be cause for additional stress during the holiday season. When shoppers shop online, because the internet never closes, they can tailor their shopping to their own schedule. Furthermore, shopping online doesn’t take as long because there’s no waiting on long lines.

Shopping online allows for quick and easy price comparison. If you’re buying a digital camera and the recipient of the camera hasn’t specified a particular brand or model, you’re not likely to just purchase the first one you see because the price sounds good. You’ll want to compare different brands and models. You’ll even want to find out what the same camera costs in different places; the internet allows for shoppers to easily compare product features and prices.

President-Elect Barack Obama’s victory speech late Tuesday night (into Wednesday morning here on the east coast) was inspirational and clear.  He spoke about the record number of voters, which seems to be renewing, if not already, individual’s pride in our nation.  He talked about, in general, what we should expect for the weeks, months and years to come.  He reminded listeners what his election means, a chance to make changes.  Obama eloquently harkened back to the founding of our country as well as the words of Abraham Lincoln, whose political home state was also Illinois.

Whatever apathy rested around the fate of the United States of America fizzled away to nothing more than air when, on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, voters waited in line for up to four hours (perhaps even longer) to make their voices heard.  America should be proud of this election, not simply for the history-making result, but because this was an election truly owned by Americans.  As a nation, we were able to rise above the residual apathy surrounding the voting faux pas of the 2004 election.  This November, wearing an “I voted” sticker was a matter of pride, dignity and duty.

Barack Obama’s speech didn’t sugarcoat our nation’s current situation.  He reminded us of the “long road ahead,” but also that he’s hopeful that over the coming years we will ultimately succeed in our goals, in changing what needs to be changed in order to improve the lives of not only Americans, but people around the globe.  Hearing a political speech that reminds listeners that there will be, as Obama put it, false starts, before we find the right path for the issues before us is refreshing as it lacks the all-around promise that everything will be instantly wonderful and perfect.

In his speech, Obama reminded listeners that his victory in this election is not his alone but belongs to everyone, and that this victory represents a chance to make changes.  He talked about America’s governmental progress throughout the nation’s history and used a metaphor of laying bricks.  If each change we see over the course of his term or terms is a layer of bricks, then this election is the first coating of mortar.  He reminded the nation that in order to make these changes, every individual must renew his or her “spirit of service, sacrifice, patriotism and responsibility.”

Obama quoted President Abraham Lincoln when he was speaking about how each of us must work together in order to achieve our goals.  “We are not enemies, but friends.  Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”  As our 44th President pointed out after quoting our 16th, the time for bi-partisan pettiness, as he put it, is at an end.  One final sentence during which Obama spoke to all Americans, regardless of background or political belief, stuck out above all others.  “I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices; I need your help and I will be your President too.”

And of course, everyone wants to know what kind of puppy Barack Obama is buying for his daughters to bring to the White House.

Change is the catalyst for evolution, and the internet will continue to evolve, especially when it comes to plans for Next-Generation broadband that will bring the internet to communities nationwide.  Let’s do our part, and work together, to maximize the utilization of the internet so that we can heal our economy and provide security for businesses throughout the country, including yours.

Every news network is now reporting Barack Obama as the 44^th President. With almost three hundred electoral votes, against John McCain’s one hundred fifty-five, as they said on the news, “Tonight, every American should be celebrating.” Whether your cause for celebration is that Obama was your choice for President, for the fact that he will be America’s first African-American President or simply for the fact that the campaign is over, celebration is indeed overtaking the nation (at least those who aren’t asleep for the night).

When it comes to the economy though, it’s important to note that the President doesn’t have unmatched control over the economy. Obama’s economic policies will come into play, but it’s just as important to note the Congressional elections and the new Senators that will shape the next four years. In addition to Obama, Biden, the House and the Senate, Obama’s choice of Cabinet members will also be very telling of the next four years. As for the Senate, which is still being said to be too close to call, currently, fifty-six seats are pointed toward democratic senators while forty-four are pointed toward republican senators.

McCain is currently giving a speech, during which he just made a very valuable point; the number of voters that came out of their homes and offices today to voice their opinions. Voter turnout in the last few elections were not anywhere near this year’s turnout of voters. McCain’s speech is graceful to the point of being sure to shush those booing his commendations to Obama. His words emphasized the importance of working together to continue to improve and strengthen our nation. “Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans, and please believe me when I say, no association has ever meant more to me than that.” Those words sufficiently sum up the heart of McCain’s speech.

It’s important to take McCain’s speech into consideration because he emphasizes the need to work together. Over the coming years, hopefully voters will continue to flood to the polls and write to representatives to express views and participate in local and national levels of government.

As far as what to expect for the economy, when it comes to details, those projections may have to wait as much as a week while we wait for the Senate and House of Representatives elections to cement. The latest question floating around on the news networks is whether our government will take an activist role in our economy or maintain a less active position.

To live during an election as historic as this election is nevertheless exciting. This election will be one of those defining generational moments that touches every generation alive to not only witness this election but to take part, to participate and vote in this election.

As of yet, Barack Obama hasn’t delivered a speech regarding his victory.