Archive for the ‘eCommerce’ Category
Social media and your business, large or small.
Posted on August 10, 2007
I know I have been quite for a while. Honestly I really have not had too much to say. I’ve mostly been observing. I’ve been looking at the social media movement and how it is starting to permeate business and its industries. It is hard for me not to see it as it has edged its way into my work and personal life for better or worse. I have a FaceBook and LinkedIn account, I am on Meetup.com and part of several technology networking groups, and finally have a social prospecting account on Jigsaw.com. While talking to many other people it is easy to also notice how it is filling their work and personal lives as well.
To that end, let me explain that the position in my company is Business Development. Ultimately it is a strategic sales position that affords me the opportunity to perform the typical tasks of a sales person; prospect, meet, qualify, etc. But prospecting is getting harder. People are not picking up the phone, so cold calling is a rough method of getting your foot in the door. But wait, Now I have Facebook, LinkedIn, Meetup.com, and Jigsaw. WOW! Let me say this cold calling, fugetaboutit. Period. Social media, bring it on! Information on people is so readily available that if you are not using it, start today. Right now. Stop reading this blog and come back to it later after you have signed up for a few services. If you are using it. Good job.
So what does social media do for you? Well, first and foremost it keeps you from having to persuade the guy you are trying to reach to speak to you. He can speak to you or review your profile on his or her terms ad decide whether to make contact or not. You can reach out to him or her and it becomes more about community than “the approach.” It becomes a soft touch rather than a blind sided phone call…
“The Long Tail of Ecommerce,” by Jack Jia (Ecommerce Times)
Posted on June 11, 2007
I know it has been a while since I’ve been here, but it’s also been a while since I have conjoured up anything worthy of writing about. Part of it is because I have been traveling quite a bit, and part of it is that the home life is a little hectic. No matter though. I came across an article this morning I thought worthy of linking back to. It seems it is good for those who would develop Ecommcerce solutions for SMEs, It would be good for the Small Business Owner looking to add Ecommerce or who has added an Ecommerce channel to their sales, and would be good for the Ecommerce software provider as well The artice is liked and titled “The Long Tail of Ecommerce,” by Jack Jia.
Good Article on Measuring A Website’s Ability To Drive Offline Purchases For Small Businesses
Posted on January 4, 2007
Here is a great piece of recent recent research by Nielsen/Netratings and WebVisible good for both Web based service providers who are providing their clients with e-commerce solutions or the small business person that is thinking of jumping online with a Web based store in addition to their brick and mortar establishment regarding “A Websites Ability to Drive Offline Purchases for Small Business.” I found it intriguing with a lot of new statistical information. Have fun.
Microsites for brand(s), Microsites for Your Business
Posted on November 12, 2006
Okay – today we talk about something I have only a little knowledge in. We’re going to discuss Microsites. No, they’re not some bug that you kill with a fly swatter. They’re mini web sites that help you to market your business, product, or service more effectively. They are smaller more targeted web properties built within other Web Sites so that you can encourage your buyers to take action on that particular item. They are becoming increasingly popular, and will continue to grow in the next 12 months as a static medium. Keep in mind my assumption here is that you already have a Web Site where you are marketing your brand and solutions.
So, a recent article I read that of the companies who are large, over 500 million dollars annually, (who are only 30 percent of the companies out there) said they plan on implementing Microsites in the next 12 months. Read the rest of this entry »
E-tailing primer for the SMB Web Host or (The rest of the title was unfortunately truncated)
Posted on September 29, 2006
So, it seems like six or so months since I’ve posted a blog article here. In fact it’s been seven months now that I am counting them… Yikes! Well, we’re full swing into fall as far as I am concerned. People are back full time from vacations and time off, and its time to focus on making money and growing your business again. And I am here to make a few suggestions on how to do that if I can.
Today’s post is going to be aimed towards the small Web Developer or Hosting company looking to increase business in their local or regional locale. It is the industry I am in so I’m looking to get back to my roots for the selling season. With luck you’re in my industry too.
I am in the channel. I’m in the channel in every way. My company also sells direct to the end customer. We have a retail division that struggles with the same things that the smallest company does all the time. I just happen to be in a good position to work with them as well, so that I can bring you some best practices from our neck of the woods, as well as what’s making money in other businesses as well.
I will be presenting ideas and thoughts in this document to help you to hopefully make more money, create greater stickiness, which in turn increases RPU and creates longer than average terms for you. This is my goal. To help you make more money one client at a time, and when you look back at your financials, with a little hard work, hopefully you will see exponential profits where you had not before.
