The pre-Christmas shopping season is gaining speed and volume every day, and it seems appropriate to look into what seems to be the best converting, and most demanded holiday offer.

Many consumers will be looking for coupons, but merchants that cannot offer these can still offer something for their affiliates to market aggressively. I am referring to what seems to be the most beloved Christmas offer from a consumer’s standpoint — the free shipping offer. It will be especially actively sought for over the next few weeks, and it is one proven way to increase conversions.

Hitwise Intelligence has published some statistical data which shows that the “the sharpest increase” in free shipping demand historically occurs “at the end of the year for the holiday shopping season”:

It is also interesting to note that since 2006 the “search breadth” for the “free shipping” key phrase “has been accelerating earlier each year” reaching its pinnacle “is the first week of the New Year, as online buyers look for post-holiday sale items” [more here].

A few days back the Internet Retailer has also published an article with stats and patterns that the top 100 e-tailers follow in regards to deals, discounts, and free shipping. Here are some of the key points that have been made about the subject of this post:

• The number of e-tailers who offer free shipping this year has grown from 61 to 63
• 44% of them attach the free shipping deal to a minimum order value
• Minimum order value ranges from $30 to $699, but in most cases the bracket is $30-$75

If you are not yet offering free shipping through your affiliate program (and/or any other online marketing channels), now is the time to do it!