Protect your e-business!
In the world of eCommerce, protecting your company's data and your access to the internet are of the greatest importance. If anything compromises either of these, it can destroy your business, or at the very least represent lost income due to down-time. It is vital that you have in place a variety of programs to protect your computer and data, including a firewall, anti-virus program, and antispyware software.
We have covered firewalls and antivirus software elsewhere, but have not yet discussed anti-spyware programs. These programs can scan your computer for existing problems, isolate them, and delete them. Examples of issues detected by anti-spyware programs include adware, spybots, Trojans, keyloggers, unwanted toolbars and other screen accessories, browser hijackers, and more. Some of these problems are obvious when you run your PC, such as added toolbars and browser hijackers. Others remain hidden, and can potentially damage your computer and/or report to a hacker entries that you make using your PC, such as your account numbers, passwords, etc. The potential for compromising your business is serious, and every precaution should be taken.
How can you choose the best anti spyware software? There are a number of highly rated spyware programs, including McAfee anti spyware, SpySweeper, CounterSpy, Xoft Spy, Spyware Doctor and many others. A good program will pretty much do the job, but there are differences between them, and some are much more effective than others. A good review site can be very helpful in helping you to decide which anti spyware program is the best fit for your company.
For a complete rundown of all the features available, a cost comparison of each program, and ratings information including such factors as ease of use and effectiveness, visit a review site that offers anti spyware software reviews of the leading spyware programs. You can also find useful information such as definitions and terms that help you understand all the anti-spyware jargon and decide which program is the best for your circumstances.
While you are visiting, check the information on internet security, parental control, and related topics as well. Above all, stay safe online -- protect yourself, your family, and your business!
Build some buzz
One of the best ways to create some buzz for your online business is to build a community that has an interest in whatever you are selling. An easy (and free!) way to do this is by using a wiki, which will let you create a website on any topic you wish that can be joined by others.
If you are selling widgets online, create a widget website using a free wiki. Make an attractive banner for the top, and use lots of terms that relate to widgets in your text (but don't make it unnatural). Create pages about different kinds of widgets, a photo album of widgets, and a page where people can talk about their favorite ways to use widgets. Be sure to include some starter text yourself, and put your best tips on your pages.
Make some high-interest pages too. Maybe something like celebrities and their widgets, or "10 most embarrassing widget moments."
If there are practical bits of information, instructions, recipes, downloadable files, or other things that pertain to widgets and make them easier to use, more versatile, or more enjoyable, be sure to include pages that offer these extras as well.
Then invite others (perhaps using a past list of customers who want to receive updates) to visit your wiki. They can use the information provided there, and even better, they can add their own information to make your site even more valuable to others. Widget testimonials, or favorite uses for widgets would be great categories to point these users to. Before you know it, more and more people will be interested in widgets, and your product inquiries will grow!
And if you are interested in building buzz for a big brand, check out the related article on Wetpaint's "Just Add Wetpaint" service.
Combined e-Commerce solutions
Some providers offer an interesting mix of services that can be beneficial to your e-business. RAA Recruitment Advertising is one such company. Recruitment advertising is a service often offered to assist companies, whether traditional or online, to find and hire the right employees needed for available positions. Choosing a recruitment advertising company to represent your business should be given careful thought, because a potential employee's first impression of your company will be that of the recruitment company you hire.
RAA provides a unique web of services that make them especially well-suited to assist e-commerce business owners. E-recruitment is one of these services, providing a recruitment website for their clients and assisting with search engine optimization of the site.
These kinds of services might be expected from a recruitment advertising company. However, we were most interested to learn that the company also specializes in product marketing; a rather unique combination.
E-mail marketing services are provided. Whether your needs involve occasional promotional mailings or ongoing in-depth newsletters, e-mail marketing offers cost-effective returns.
The company also offers product advertising and advertising of business-to-business services and supplies. Everything from printing of posters or brochures and associated photoshoots to exhibition stands for your next trade show presentation can be arranged with a single provider. Being able to meet with a single company that understands your company's needs and "flavor" will save time and produce a smoother overall impression of your products and/or services.
Promotional Products for eCommerce Businesses
Ecommerce relies heavily on brand name recognition, because no one will be driving past your store but rather must remember your name and go to the trouble to search for you online. Various means are effective marketing strategies, but one of the best may be promotional products that bear your company name and web address.
Among the best promotional items are those that are useful, which tends to keep bringing your name up before potential customers as they continue to write with the pen you provided, wear the hat received from your company, or sip from the mug bearing your company logo. Including a small gift (such as an imprinted pen) with shipped orders or catalogs can continually bring your company back to customer's attention. Another great place to distribute promotional items is at trade shows, if your company participates in these. Visitors often pick up and take away freebies offered at booths, and if the item offered is something they would like to use, they are unlikely to discard it.
Personalized corporate gifts are a good choice for especially valued customers (or clients you would really like to woo). These generate a feeling of goodwill in the one receiving the gift as well as serving as a continual reminder of your business. Good choices often include items the recipient is likely to use in their office, so your business name is prominent when you most want them to be thinking of you. Clocks, bookends, desk accessories, quality calendars and planners, briefcases, pen gift sets, and other business accessories can be good choices. It is important to give consideration to the client's personal style and tastes if possible, in order to choose a gift that is especially appreciated and will demonstrate that you are one who will go the extra mile to provide personalized and high quality customer service.
eCommerce concerns
If your eCommerce business is growing exponentially, as many of them do, and especially if you begin to need a network and have to branch out into more advanced technological applications, you may need to consider more advanced technical input or support. Depending upon the nature of your business and its expected expansion, you may want to hire a professional service as needed, or you may prefer for yourself (or an in-house employee, particularly in the case of a family business) to learn the necessary skills. Programs such as those available at http://www.gibbsri.edu/ offer training in areas such as PC Network Operations and Network Security.
Training in network operations will typically include the ability to set up networks, troubleshoot application problems, and can be invaluable in selecting new equipment. Another advantage is that you will be able to take advantage of more of the advanced functions of your equipment. If your business involves a network of computers that need coordination between stations, these skills can prove especially important.
Network security is an even more important consideration for most eCommerce business owners. Not only is your own financial information at risk, along with countless hours' work represented by factors such as inventory entry, maintenance of client records, or whatever is integral to your business, but the financial information of your clients or customers may be involved as well. Potential liability for this data is something to carefully consider, as you could damage not only your business reputation, but be liable for damages if your network is found lacking and data is used improperly.
Domain Name With Local Extension
From an SEO point of view, your domain name is very important as we have said in the previous post. However, when you register a domain name, you also need to consider what is the target market for your business. In a business domain registration, you really need to pay attention to a good business strategy.
If your customers are from the
For example, if you have your website with a .com.au extension, which is an Australian domain name, Google will be more likely to rank your business higher in Google Australia. Why can this happen? Check the keys for a regional SEO below:
- A local language
- A local physical address
- Local niche keywords
Don't forget the most important SEO factor, the backlinks. Having more backlinks from locally registered domains is the first ingredient for high rankings in local search engines. So, buying your domain name based on your target market is a smart Ecommerce strategy.
Choosing broadband providers
The use of broadband (and faster) internet connection is vital for the growth of eCommerce, and the widespread influence of broadband is affecting the face of business conducted over the internet. Fortunately, broadband availability is growing exponentially in many countries. In the US, broadband usage continues to increase, while broadband uk is also growing. The highest percentage of the population using broadband is seen in western European countries of Denmark, the Netherlands, Monaco, Norway, and Iceland. South Korea and Hong Kong also have very high rates.
Website design is a prime factor in eCommerce, and the availability of broadband to customers allows eCommerce businesses to build more elaborate websites. However, at this point, website optimization is still important. Ideally, the website should load quickly in order to keep customers happy, and file sizes should be managed as much as possible. As well as increasing profits because customers are more willing to use the site, the website owner benefits by decreased bandwidth costs (or down-time due to exceeding limits). Interestingly, page rankings can also be affected somewhat by streamlining the code, making the business more visible as well.
While in choosing a service provider, the customer may be offered special deals as an incentive, such as free or reduced rates for a particular term, a free hub or other equipment, it is important to make sure that the provider being considered has a good track record including up-time, provision of technical support, and a strong enough network to support their customers' needs. While new, small companies may tend to offer good deals and incentives to increase their customer base, it can be better to choose a more established provider with the proven ability to provide the level of service reliably, especially if your business depends on it. Saving a few dollars on your provider isn't smart business if it costs you several down-time days a month that translate into lost business opportunities.
Credit card merchant accounts
If you are considering setting up an eCommerce business (or expanding an existing business into eCommerce), one important decision you will soon have to make concerns how you will be paid for your products or services. In nearly every case, merchants will need to be able to accept credit cards through their websites.If you don't accept credit cards, your business will probably suffer greatly. First, if visitors to your website are interested in what you have to offer when you've shown it to them, the ability to order immediately can mean the difference between a sale for you and just an idea that fades to the back of your visitor's mind if they have to mail a check or purchase a money order. Secondly, if your market includes international customers, credit cards may be the only way for them to pay.
Generally speaking, there are two methods of accepting credit cards online. You can either establish your own credit card merchant account, or go through a third party merchant. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
A third party merchant is usually less expensive to set up initially (and in many cases is free), but you will pay a higher transaction fee and greater percentage of each sale to the third party. An example of such an online third party is PayPal. This can be a viable option if you are not sure if your business will become established and you just want to try out a few sales.
If you plan to continue to offer services or products, opening your own merchant account will usually result in lower fees on credit card processing. Additionally, having your own merchant account makes your business seem more professional. There are some credit card merchant services that offer services without application fees, and sometimes even free setup. This can represent the best of both worlds.
