eCommerce News

Ecommerce Using Vacation Settings or Not

When you go on vacation how do you handle your ecommerce sales?

CruiseReady of www.auctionsellersmotivators.com put this question out to the membership of ASM to see how others handle this situation.

Should you merely put a note on your site or on each item or on the shopping cart?

Should you remove your items from view?

And how do the shipping requirements for Google Checkout, Paypal or your own merchant account play into this question?

Find the above discussion along with other General Online Selling Questions at Auction Sellers Motivators.

Sending eMails with no Message

Ever send emails where the entire message is the subject and you get that pesky prompt, asking if you really want to send the message without text in the body? Well, if you use Gmail, there is an easy fix! Simply put the letters EOM (for End of Message) at the end of your subject and Gmail will know to send your email on its way without asking!

http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/tip-sending-empty-messages.html

Google Page Creater is being replaced by Google Sites

http://sites.google.com/

Google Sites is replacing Google Page Creator which never got out of google labs.

This is a great way to advertise your eBusiness or build an eCommerce store.

Guide to Shipping Priority Mail with USPS

Ecommerce Merchants need to know postal rates and parameters in advance since they need to know what to charge the customers ahead of time.

To view real time discussion on shipping Flat Rate USPS, Visit Auction Sellers Motivators

Today's post is regarding USPS Priority Mail, what it is and how much it runs.

One of the best deals going on shipping, for many items, is the US Post Office (USPS) FLAT RATE packages.

There are 4 sizes of packaging to choose from with Flat Rate Shipping.

• 1st is the FLAT RATE ENVELOPE (pictured above) which costs $ 4.80 to ship anywhere in the USA.

          This is a very sturdy 12 1/2" x 9 1/2" envelope with no weight limit. The main stipulation is that you can secure the flap as it is (without modifying the package).

• 2nd is a FLAT RATE BOX (pictured above) which costs $ 9.95 to ship anywhere in the US.

          This is a box with an inside diameter of about 13 1/2" x 12" x 3 1/2", which is similar to a size that would fit a dress shirt, and as all of these Flat Rate packages, has a 70 # weight limit.

• 3rd is another FLAT RATE BOX (above) which also costs $ 9.95 to ship in the US.

          This box has an I.D. of 11" x 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", and would be similar to a size that would accommodate a stack of standard 6 red building bricks. Again, 70 # weight limit.

• 4th, and lastly, is a newer, and larger FLAT RATE BOX, 12" x 12" x 5 1/2" (not pictured here yet) package that runs $12.95 to ship in the USA.

This box is an inch longer and 3 1/2" inches higher than the box pictured above.

The boxes are free, and will be delivered to your front door in a week or so, by placing your order at the USPS web site (your local Post Office should also carry them, but it may be necessary to ask, as they may be behind the counter). Later, free pick up of the items you have packaged can also be scheduled with the US Postal Service. More info can be found at "usps.com".

There are many other Priority mail packages & supplies to choose from on the USPS website, and all except those with postage already attached should be free. The Flat Rate boxes are Priority Mail items, and they can be found through a link, by searching Supplies here --> USPS.com

Guide to Shipping Media Mail with USPS

Ecommerce Merchants need to know postal rates and parameters in advance since they need to know what to charge the customers ahead of time.

Today's post is regarding Media Mail, what it is and how much it runs.

Media mail is the class of mail to use when shipping books or similar products.  Such as, CDs, magazines, or bound manuals.  The shipping time is most similar to parcel post so if speed is important use priority.  The media mail rates start at 1 pound, where the cost is $2.23.  Every additional pound after the first is only 35 cents more.  Thus even a 5-pound book will ship for $3.63.  You can ship many books together in one box as long as the weight is below 70 pounds.

There is an additional weight range where media mail would be prudent to use.  That is when the item weighs between 7 and 16 ounces.  Here the first class parcel rate is higher than the media one.  Thus inform the postal worker that you wish to select the media rate.

To use media rate, you must bring the box to a postal counter. 

The package cannot just be dropped off. 

Also, there is no international media rate. 

To ship books to other countries, you will select first class international, if they are below 4 pounds. You will select international priority if they are above 4 pounds.

Guide to Shipping Parcel Post with USPS

Ecommerce Merchants need to know postal rates and parameters in advance since they need to know what to charge the customers ahead of time.

Parcel Post is the USPS ground based service. 

Prices depend upon three variables - weight, shape, and distance. 

Any box over 12 by 12 by 12 inches would have to be measured by postal workers and charged a supplement. 

There is even a balloon surcharge for very large boxes. 

The next factor is zones. 

The price will depend upon how many zones you have crossed with your package. 

Last is weight. 

First class parcel ends at 13 ounces. 

Beyond that you will select priority mail or parcel post. 

There are so many variables that the best resource to use is usps.com. 

As of 2007, there is no more surface shipping to Canada or any other international destination. 

How to locate your delivery statistics on endicia

Having problem finding your delivery statistics with Endicia?

Go here: https://www.endicia.com/Account/Summary/default.cfm

Reports>Delivery Statistics

For more hints, tips and information for eCommerce merchants:

Visit: Auction Sellers Motivators Business Related Forums

BusinessesGrowingTogether.com Expose your business to online buyers

Businesses Growing Together - BGT

About BGT - We are a network of sellers who specialize in online sales and are dedicated to helping each others businesses grow by referring current customers to each other in different ways.  We are always open to ideas.

Requirements for participation

Home Page attention focus on buyers. 

#1 -  FLYER PROGRAM .  Monthly Flyer on hold due to the vacation season.

You submit your business card size ad and it's added to the ecommerce sellers that already belong to the program.

Choose your method of delivery:

PRINTING the pdf file and putting it in your packages  or
EMAIL the clickable pdf file to your buyers  and potential buyers


# 2  -  MAGNETIC SIGN EXCHANGE - We have a magnetic car sign exchange program.  You buy a 12 X 12 magnetic sign for your car with your ad on it and swap it with another member in the program.  This gets your ad since by people in other parts of the states. Signs are available at www.JeriSigns.com - contact her for BGT discount.

# 3 -  HOLIDAY SEASONAL DISCOUNT AD -

View 2008 Businesses Growing Together Holiday Sales Book   

This program runs for the Christmas holiday season.  You offer potential customers a discount and it's placed in a "booklet" along with discounts from other BGT members. You simply supply the needed information, you post the link everywhere, you put it in emails, blogs, forums, etc.  If you have a site and want to put up your own discount page that is fine but you will be responsible for updating it as needed.  For more info on this program just let me know.

# 4 - Web Ring All you need is to join BGT and click the link above for more information. It's a free program and we encourage everyone to participate!

# 5 - Squidoo Lens All you need is to join BGT and click the link above for more information. It's a free program and we encourage everyone to participate!

Website Primer - #1 - Domain Name

PURCHASING/REGISTERING A DOMAIN NAME

Building a website can be confusing to a person or business that has never done this before.

First and formost, if you want to have your own website, you have to purchase a domain name. People can't find a website without a name. 

Choose a domain name that has keywords/phrases right in the name if possible.

For example, JeriSigns.com business name in the brick and mortar world of long ago was NBI Graphics, but that says nothing about who I am or what I sell.

JeriSigns chose JeriSigns.com and it's a much more accurate description.

Sit down with pencil and paper and make a list of all the possible name combinations that sound good to you. The shorter the better -- the advantage of this is that people will more likely remember it, and it will fit nicely on a business card.

To Read More  or Visit Auction Sellers Motivators Forum More Web Site & Search Engine Issues

Holiday Selling Tips for eBay Sellers

AuctionBytes