eCommerce Articles, Industry News & Trends | eCommerce, Marketing, Design Articles » Learning eCommerce

What’s Better Than A Custom 404 Page? Redirects To Index On 404’s

eCopt — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 07:10:39 +0000

404 is the code a Web server returns for certain pages the cannot be found when access is attempted. It’s what Web users see when they land on a page (usually when following a link or manually typing in a Web address) where the link location has changed, moved, or no longer exists. Webmasters have started using custom pages instead of the default Web server 404’s in an attempt to retain more visits and better serve the user base. Custom 404’s have become a trend over the years as more and more eBusinesses attempt to direct customers, who find pages that cannot be found, to a custom page that keeps users on the site giving them another chance to navigate to a different page.

There was a post the other day on eCommerce Cache about custom 404 pages that featured 26 different examples of top merchant 404 page designs and features. It features 404 pages from big names like Walmart, GAP, Netflix and more and includes ‘essential elements’ of a 404 page alongside the ‘things you should avoid’ using on your 404’s. The post is in depth and interesting, however I recommend using a different method to direct users who manage to land on a 404 page.
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Link Building Is For Buzz, Brand & Users, Not Just Search Engines

Jack — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 07:15:08 +0000

The typical SEO article on link building might provide simple step by step procedures on how to conduct link building campaigns to increase search engine rankings. However, to focus on search engine rankings exclusively is to mistake “the finger for the moon,” to quote the wise words of Bruce Lee in “Enter The Dragon.” So, following this analogy, the moon would be the conversions of customers who visit your website. Each time a customer buys a product, registers or clicks on an ad, the website owners can then “bask in the heavenly glory” of achieving what any eCommerce merchant hopes to achieve: converting visitors into revenue! And while having high search engine rankings to relevant queries improves traffic, it’s only the finger that points to the moon, that is it’s only a means to an end.
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Keeping Keywords Updated Using Google Analytics

Jack — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:13:55 +0000

Last week’s article, aptly titled “Beginner eCommerce Keyword Research Using Google Keywords Tool,” discussed how to conduct keyword research efficiently using Google AdWords Keyword Tools. However, once the initial list of likely candidates are found and implemented into an eCommerce website, they need to be continuously monitored and changed as needed. A good tracking tool for doing this is Google Analytics.
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Beginner eCommerce Keyword Research Using Google Keywords Tool

Jack — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:23:49 +0000

The strategic placement of the correct keywords into a website is arguably one of the most influential tasks an SEO can do to influence search engine rankings. The last article, titled Basic Page Title, Meta Description & Meta Keywords Structuring Rules, briefly discusses the strategic placement of keywords, however, knowing how and where to place keywords is only half the battle. This weeks article will provide a few tips and tricks on how to find the right keywords through research and tools like the Google Keywords Tool.
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25 Beginner eCommerce Design/SEO Tips & Tricks

eCopt — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:26:23 +0000

There have recently been two new author additions to eCommerce Optimization (Jack & Slingshot). They each have been on a beginner eCommerce roll lately, posting about some of the basics, so I figured I would add in my beginner tips and tricks for both eCommerce design and SEO.
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Basic Page Title, Meta Description & Meta Keywords Structuring Rules

Jack — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:12:18 +0000

Jack is back with more beginner eCommerce Optimization information. This week he discusses some basic page title, meta description and meta keywords structuring rules.

The head section of an HTML document includes, among others, the title tag, meta description and meta keywords. Proper usage of keywords here is extremely important for a websites rankings in search engines. This section will provide some general basic guidelines/good practices to follow when constructing the head section of your eCommerce website.
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Beginners Outlook On eCommerce Marketing & Optimization

Jack — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:36:39 +0000

It is the goal of any Internet search engine to provide the most relevant, informative and useful search results for users based on just a few (often times only one) words from a query. If that’s not challenging enough, they have to constantly fight with “black hat” SEOs that try to manipulate the rankings of their own or other companies by exploiting functional algorithmic loopholes in order to turn a profit. As a result of the above two factors along with mutual competition with other search providers, the algorithms for major search engines today such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN have become complex to the point where they are becoming organic, making e-commerce optimization a greater challenge. (more…)

eCommerce Videos For Learning & Entertainment

eCopt — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:09:41 +0000

The birth of social media communities such as YouTube and other streaming video or media uploading sites has brought on a whole new way for Merchants and marketing professional to share tips, tricks and secrets with other users in an entertaining and informative way. Recently, I have been watching some eCommerce videos on a couple of different sites and I liked what I saw so much that I decided to write up a little blurb about each of them. This article is a little different than most on eCommerce Optimization in that it covers videos that actually teach you something and videos that are more for fun and entertainment than anything. I will comment on the learning videos first, then move along to the fun ones. Hope you like.

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Internet + Retail Business = eCommerce, eBusiness & eRetail

eCopt — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 03:35:28 +0000

There’s no doubt in anyones mind that the Internet has revolutionized the way in which we live our lives. Nearly everything you can imagine is a simple point and click away from any person (over 1 billion) with a computer and Internet access. Technologies like email and Online chat have taken the place of snail mail and phone conversation. If you want information about a particular topic, it’s just a matter of typing in a few words and a millions of pages appear to show you more about what you searched for. The Internet has made it much easier to access information about a nearly infinite number of topics.

Most of all, we have seen the Internet change the way in which consumers shop and buy the items they like. Online shopping has become increasingly popular since eCommerce first began and industry trends do not show any signs of this trend slowing down any time soon. There is a lot of opportunity to make money through selling Online. eBusinesses often have a better chance of success due to the low overhead and broad customer reach. It’s challenging to be successful selling Online as competition across nearly every major market has made top search engine rankings a necessity for successful eRetailers. In addition, more and more merchants are becoming familiar with search engine marketing and optimization techniques making it ever more difficult to compete within search engines. Knowing how the Internet and Online business works will be an integral part of starting your own eCommerce business.
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Product Selection: Finding a Niche Product or Industry

eCopt — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:27:06 +0000

One of the first steps you will need to take upon entering into the world of eCommerce will be deciding on and finding the products, services or goods that you are going to sell Online. It is also one of the most challenging steps along the way to becoming a successful Online entrepreneur. Deciding which products to sell is a challenge in any business, however it can be even more difficult to decide what to sell Online since many things can’t be sold on the Web, would not be profitable to sell or it wouldn’t make sense to sell Online (such as items with a high cost to weight ratio). In addition, many merchants have found that some product markets are just to saturated or already have too many big corporations selling in them to effectively compete or make a name for themselves.
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Product Selection: Finding Products to Sell Online

eCopt — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 02:30:40 +0000

There are many things to consider before deciding on which products you are eventually going to sell Online. Can you make money off the products? How much do I need to sell to reach profit goals? Can they be easily sold Online? Are they legal to sell Online? Do I have interest in the products? These are all things that should be considered before you actually invest time, effort and money into a product or niche industry to sell in.

It is important, especially for new merchants, to start off slowly and really plan things out well when determining your product or niche market. Typically, finding your product niche begins with determining whether or not the product is a good fit for you personally. You may initially get into selling something solely for the profit that can potentially be made, but eventually you will need to know about the products inside and out. If they are not products that personally interest you it may cause issues later on during customer service and marketing processes. It is best to find a product that genuinely interest you or that you have passion for, that way you won’t have any issues spending the time it will take learning everything there is to know about what you sell, who you sell to and who is competing with you. The product should fit well with you, but at the same time you should fit well with the product or niche industry.
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Product Selection: Getting Product Drop Shippers

eCopt — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 02:31:58 +0000

Basically, drop shipping can be defined as the shipping of goods or merchandise directly from a supplier to a merchant’s customer without ever being inventoried, handled or packaged by the merchant. The drop ship process can potentially minimize the merchant’s inventory, can reduce certain administrative costs and may even introduce the supplier to a newer untapped market.

Drop shipping occurs when the merchant displays and markets their products, attracts customers, receives orders and directs the sale on to a supplier who then ships the merchandise directly to the customer. A common concern and issue for merchants who use drop shippers is that there many be many other Online sellers using the same supplier or drop ship company. Using the same product source as hundreds or thousands of other merchants can make establishing a niche more difficult. It can also mean you will be competing directly with many other merchants, meaning the market is typically more saturated.
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Product Selection: Finding Product Sources & Suppliers

eCopt — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 22:24:49 +0000

Finding product sources is the process used to locate individual suppliers that you can buy merchandise from at the lowest possible end cost to you. No matter what kind of items you sell, generally you’ll still have to go through the necessary steps to find your best sources. Sources for products that can be purchased directly from suppliers can include a drop shipper, manufacturer or independent distributor. Even if you decide to manufacture your own products, you’ll still need to find sources for the supplies required to manufacture the items yourself. Begin by choosing the method that works best for you and your business.

Drop Shipper (wholesaler, distributor)
Manufacturer (supplier, vendor)
Make Them Yourself (you are the source)

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Product Selection: Manufacturer Dealings & Product Price Negotiations

eCopt — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 02:33:46 +0000

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Product Selection: Products to Avoid Selling Online

eCopt — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 02:36:37 +0000

For obvious reasons certain products are better to sell Online than others. There aren’t any specific guidelines as to what can and cannot be sold, but of course, you will want to abide by all current laws governing Online product sales. Smaller, light weight products are generally the best types of items to sell since they are usually easier to ship and you don’t have to worry about the complicated shipping calculations that typically come along with larger items, but some smaller items should also be avoided.

Generally, items that should be avoided will fall into one of two categories; items that simply won’t sell through the Web or items that cannot be sold Online (whether it is against the law or it is physically impossible to sell them).
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Starting Out: Company Branding & Choosing a Domain Name

eCopt — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 02:37:49 +0000

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Starting Out: eCommerce & eBusiness Licenses & Permits

eCopt — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 02:42:47 +0000

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Starting Out: Getting Your Tax Identification Number

eCopt — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 02:44:20 +0000

If you are familiar with running a business that sells goods and/or services, chances are you already know what a tax ID number is and may even already have one for your eBusiness. New eBusiness owners should be aware what a tax Id number is, why you need one and how to obtain one for your new business.

Tax ID numbers, also called an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a special identifying number assigned solely to businesses by the IRS. Your tax ID number is used to identify your business to several federal agencies responsible for the regulation of business, both Online and Offline.

Many merchant accounts, banks and other financial institutions require a tax ID in order to utilize their services. Tax ID’s can also keep your social security information private as many institutions who request tax ID’s will also accept personal social security and banking information as an option (which has to be used unless the business has a tax ID).
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Starting Out: Online Retail Business Structures

eCopt — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 02:45:53 +0000

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Starting Out: Writing a Successful eBusiness Plan

eCopt — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 02:48:04 +0000

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