A sense of urgency and immediacy can completely change a customer’s buying habits. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself how those late-night infomercials can be so effective. By constantly reminding viewers that a deal is “only available for a limited time” and that it’s crucial to “call now,” even the least glamorous and useful products will sell like hotcakes. Even popular department stores implement a similar technique.

When you’re told that a sale ends soon, you feel an added impetus to purchase right away. This approach is known as direct response marketing, and there are a number of ways to put it to good use for your Web-based business. If you’re involved in e-commerce, it’s beneficial to highlight certain products and to advertise limited-time offers. Don’t be afraid to use whatever marketing tactics you have at your disposal to get a leg up on the competition.