5 Web Design Facts Every Merchant Should Know – eBiz eXtra, Issue 5
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Quick Tip |
Yahoo! turns 15,
celebrates successes:
CEO reflects with reporters at press conference
March 1, 2010 marked the 15th anniversary of Yahoo!’s incorporation (although the company was formed in 1994). For the past decade and a half, the company has been providing content, search, e-mail, small business tools and a slew of other web-related services to individuals and companies. CEO Carol Bartz held a party/press conference at the Yahoo! headquarters, where technology reporters shared in the celebration, keeping the press pass in full sight, of course. Quentin Hardy of Forbes shares highlights of the occasion in a post on the magazine’s technology blog, Velocity. He debunks the myth that Yahoo! is for sale, gives the skinny on it being neck-in-neck with Google for mobile users, how more content and customization options are on the way, and how Yahoo! wants to be the center of every mom’s life. Read the comprehensive report.
More on Yahoo!’s birthday around the web:
eConsultancy: Why Walmart chose Yahoo! for its largest ad campaign
USA Today: CEO Carol Bartz speakers her mind to reporters
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| eCommerce Event |
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eCommerce News of the Week
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Online Business
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Selling on Facebook viable option for some retailers
AdAge.com reports social media is already driving sales for some online merchants via Facebook commerce apps. Proctor and Gamble added a “Shop Now” tab to its Pampers fan page and ran a special: a Cruisers diaper pack for $9.99. Within an hour, the company sold out of the 1000 it had in stock. AdAge.com explains the open API and a deal with PayPal give companies and third-party developers access to develop commerce apps. Facebook is also working on other options to help businesses expand social media retailing options. Learn more.
The end of Saturday mail delivery?
The United States Postal Service is looking to reduce mail service to a five-day week, removing Saturday delivery. USA Today reports Postmaster General John Potter is submitting a formal request to the Postal Regulatory Committee in a move to reduce debt. Potter explains mail delivery is projected to decline through 2020 and there are already plans to consolidate over 150 post offices nationwide. The approval process could be long and drawn out, as the proposed change also requires congressional approval. Get the full story.
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Internet Marketing
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10 ways to use LinkedIn to grow your company
You might already have a personal presence on LinkedIn but does your company have a profile? SocialSmallBiz.com reminds business owners that LinkedIn offers company profiles and, when completed using the proper SEO-friendly terms, a profile could enhance rankings and serve as a great source of information. A business profile allows you to build relations with other businesses, journalists and bloggers, as well as establish yourself as an expert in your field by participating in LinkedIn Questions & Answers. Get the full story.
Connect with local customers using Google Place Page
Google Local Business Center offers brick and mortar stores the opportunity to verify and update their Google Place Page to include valuable information such as official website, hours, location, reviews, special offers, and contact information. Additionally, the Place Page works with Google Maps and Google Earth, so users can get directions and even see your place of business. Users can access the Place Page directly from Google search results, so keeping this page updated provides customers more ways to find your business. Learn more.
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Store Design & Development
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5 web design facts every merchant should know
Practical eCommerce reminds online merchants that no matter how little involvement you might have with the design and development end of your site, there are at least five facts for which you should be aware. Look out for proper coding by checking with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Markup Validation Service and keep tabs on your browser compliance. Also, declutter and streamline your site by asking your programmer to use content management systems, CSS, and to not go overboard with HTML tables. Learn more.
94% of shoppers research before buying, but methods vary by industry
It’s no doubt that search engines should be a critical area of focus for online retailers. But, understanding how consumers in your specific industry search can aid in your marketing strategy. Internet Retailer reports that 94% of online consumers perform online research prior to making a purchase, with search engines taking the lead with 61%. Coupon sites, marketing e-mails from retailers, online review sites, and comparison shopping engines are the other methods used. What’s more, IR reports, is the choices differ by vertical. For example, those looking to purchase consumer electronics are more likely to go directly to retail websites for brands they know (59%) or use search engines (45%), while people looking for apparel are not as likely to use search engines, with only 12% of shoppers using them. Instead, those shoppers prefer e-mails (38%) and retail websites (26%). Learn more about searching habits.
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