As reported at InternetRetailer.com: 51% of Internet users in the U.S. make purchases from opt-in e-mails and 44% make regular purchases from online ads, according to a recent report from Lyris Technologies.

39% of users said they make purchases from opt-in e-mails a few times a year. 10% said they make purchases a few times a month and 2%, a few times a day.

Of those making purchases from online ads, 37% make purchases a few times a year, 6% a few times a month, and 1% a few times a day, Lyris said.

“These poll results underscore the growing importance of the Internet as a sales channel,” says Dave Dabbah, director of sales and marketing. “For most companies, the best Internet marketing strategy employs a well-balanced mix of targeted e-mail campaigns and targeted on-line ads. Both vehicles are proving to be highly effective at converting readers into buyers.”

The poll also showed that users who make purchases from opt-in commercial e-mails are also likely to make purchases from online ads, and vice versa.

Lyris’ poll results were based on 126 responses from a nationally representative sample based on age, gender and income.