Companies expect online sales to explode this year. The reason? 

Buyers expect to pocket $1 billion in savings this year by shopping online rather than making the trek to brick-and-mortar businesses, found a new study from Kelton Research.

That’s twice the savings online shoppers said they expected to generate at the start of 2009.

Turns out that 63% of customers say they prefer looking for discounted goods online rather than browsing brick-and-mortar facilities.

The best way to pull visitors to your Web site?

Try offering limited-time, online-only deals.

Reason: Online buyers like feeling they’re getting exclusive treatment and an inside track on special deals.

And according to the study, “Flash sales” (which offer customers great deals but only for a limited time) work best at giving buyers that feeling of exclusivity.

Tags: brick-and-mortar, discounted goods, flash sales, Kelton Research, study