Internet Sales Provide Cheer To South Dakota Merchants

After this holiday season, Dave Austad estimates online business soon will make up half of his total sales at Austad’s Golf. Thanks to more online presence and increased marketing, Austad’s online holiday sales increased 85 percent over last year. His company, which also operates 10 stores, is an example of how more people are looking to the Internet for Christmas shopping.

Austad added online sales to his business about three years ago. Besides having a presence on Amazon.com, he’s also visible on other sites such as Shopzilla and giftcertificates.com. Such sites, some of which help customer compare product prices, have created an international market for Austad. About 80 percent of his sales are from out-of-state purchases.

Another local site, madeinsouthdakota.com, which features wares from about 210 vendors in the state, also experienced increased sales during its second holiday season.