Customer Support
Posts by Category
03/14/2018
As I've mentioned in many of my previous posts, social media and content creation have taken the lead in budgets and efforts this year for B2B marketers and lead generation. For many companies, the marketing mix has shifted to be composed of social media, email marketing, trade shows, and content creation, like blogs. However, there is still one platform that many marketers are struggling to take advantage of: LinkedIn.
LinkedIn debuted a feature for mentioning companies and connections in posts and conversations in efforts to gain more activity and interaction via businesses.
While this gives a new incentive to use facebook as a business, recent finding by a Lead Formix research report shows that 24% of all visitors from LinkedIn to a B2B website are potential leads, and 45% of the leads coming from LinkedIn are firsttime visitors. These visitors are most likely to spend more than 10 minutes on a company website.
For a B2B company, finding a place to target a segmentation can be difficult, which is why most businesses resort to trade shows and twitter. But, by actively managing your company's LinkedIn page, the entire audience will consist of business professionals.
Using LinkedIn as a Business
Enterprise visitors are most likely to visit because of your profile, news, and groups your company is involved in.
Profile referrals bring in quality leads who want to understand the company. They often click on the contact us page, homepage, or careers page. Through using LinkedIn groups, this segment is often enticed by webinars, careers, and blog posts because they are focused on gather information. Lastly, news followers are interested in blog posts, links to articles, and press releases. These followers are interested in content, and most of the time are first time visitors to the site.
If your company already spends money on online advertising, you most likely use Google AdWords. LinkedIn also offers ads, but at a more expensive price and results in slightly less leads.
Participation in the LinkedIn answers, groups, and your company profile is the best way to generate enterprise driven visits that have a higher chance of turning into a lead.
Main Recommendations:
LinkedIn debuted a feature for mentioning companies and connections in posts and conversations in efforts to gain more activity and interaction via businesses.
While this gives a new incentive to use facebook as a business, recent finding by a Lead Formix research report shows that 24% of all visitors from LinkedIn to a B2B website are potential leads, and 45% of the leads coming from LinkedIn are firsttime visitors. These visitors are most likely to spend more than 10 minutes on a company website.
For a B2B company, finding a place to target a segmentation can be difficult, which is why most businesses resort to trade shows and twitter. But, by actively managing your company's LinkedIn page, the entire audience will consist of business professionals.
Using LinkedIn as a Business
Enterprise visitors are most likely to visit because of your profile, news, and groups your company is involved in.
Profile referrals bring in quality leads who want to understand the company. They often click on the contact us page, homepage, or careers page. Through using LinkedIn groups, this segment is often enticed by webinars, careers, and blog posts because they are focused on gather information. Lastly, news followers are interested in blog posts, links to articles, and press releases. These followers are interested in content, and most of the time are first time visitors to the site.
If your company already spends money on online advertising, you most likely use Google AdWords. LinkedIn also offers ads, but at a more expensive price and results in slightly less leads.
Participation in the LinkedIn answers, groups, and your company profile is the best way to generate enterprise driven visits that have a higher chance of turning into a lead.
Main Recommendations:
- Have a presence on LinkedIn and stay active
- Employee profiles can help with the company's lead generation and should also stay up to date
- LinkedIn answers is a good way to generate new traffic and brand recognition
- LinkedIn groups are the best places to find interested audience members for webinars and whitepaper
03/08/2018
Recent tools and ideas are making it easier to implement plans that build the foundation of relationships to communicate the message of your product without jumping on Twitter and begging consumers to get involved with your brand via ads.
Communicating with consumers is the ultimate goal of marketing. Go back to the basics, before strategy planning, advertising, and trying to stay up to date with the latest studies and apps. While those things make the innovative and competitive marketplace we have today, it's important to take a step back and remember what the essential goal is: communicating a specific message from your trusted company to the consumer.
Effective communication comes from a trusted, well-known, or credible source. For a small or start-up company, reaching these levels of communication usually come after promoting brand promotion, the first round of products reaching the consumer, and after the first marketing initiatives create the hype you need around your product.
Is it naïve to think that perhaps, even in this day and age, natural relationships can be built between the consumer and service provider?
Relationships
Think about the smallest company you're loyal to…
The strongest connection a consumer can have to a company is based on emotion. When a business remembers my name and appreciates my business, I feel that my relationship to the brand is important, and I'm more likely to be loyal. But again, all of this is based on natural exchanges, not coupons or an emotional reaction to an ad. This is the where trust is formed. It tells the consumer that you want to provide them with whatever meets their needs because you care. Alternatively, the consumer may also skip the three part phase of brand recognition because of their experience.
Another example of building this natural relationship can occur through being a credible source. Credibility can be gained from offering exceptional customer service, or for simply tweeting a knowledgeable answer to an industry related question on Twitter.
How do you position your company to properly provide these experiences to consumers?
A Voice
Even though these are ancient ideas of driving commerce, we can apply these situations to our voice online. Whether B2B or B2C, you can create an emotional experience or connection through some of the latest online strategies.
This year B2B/B2C content marketing has taken a larger cut of the marketing budget specifically for these reasons. There has been a massive jump in online initiatives such as blog production, video content, and social media ads because of the interactions it can cause.
One of the latest ideas to drive revenue using your voice on social media is live chatting on Twitter. TweetChat, a new site that allows people to put "blinders" on to monitor a specific chat about one topic, has become a useful tool in creating channels that provide useful information to and from your company. You can use this method to ask questions and stimulate interactions with businesses or individuals in your field.
A company blog is another way to gain credibility and utilize informational support online to create credibility. It's easy to find questions to answer with a blog post, and then tweet back to individuals with similar questions to create an interaction that doesn't feel pushed or advertised,
This is the natural experience of creating a relationship and using a voice to communicate ideas from your company to consumers.
Communicating with consumers is the ultimate goal of marketing. Go back to the basics, before strategy planning, advertising, and trying to stay up to date with the latest studies and apps. While those things make the innovative and competitive marketplace we have today, it's important to take a step back and remember what the essential goal is: communicating a specific message from your trusted company to the consumer.
Effective communication comes from a trusted, well-known, or credible source. For a small or start-up company, reaching these levels of communication usually come after promoting brand promotion, the first round of products reaching the consumer, and after the first marketing initiatives create the hype you need around your product.
Is it naïve to think that perhaps, even in this day and age, natural relationships can be built between the consumer and service provider?
Relationships
Think about the smallest company you're loyal to…
The strongest connection a consumer can have to a company is based on emotion. When a business remembers my name and appreciates my business, I feel that my relationship to the brand is important, and I'm more likely to be loyal. But again, all of this is based on natural exchanges, not coupons or an emotional reaction to an ad. This is the where trust is formed. It tells the consumer that you want to provide them with whatever meets their needs because you care. Alternatively, the consumer may also skip the three part phase of brand recognition because of their experience.
Another example of building this natural relationship can occur through being a credible source. Credibility can be gained from offering exceptional customer service, or for simply tweeting a knowledgeable answer to an industry related question on Twitter.
How do you position your company to properly provide these experiences to consumers?
A Voice
Even though these are ancient ideas of driving commerce, we can apply these situations to our voice online. Whether B2B or B2C, you can create an emotional experience or connection through some of the latest online strategies.
This year B2B/B2C content marketing has taken a larger cut of the marketing budget specifically for these reasons. There has been a massive jump in online initiatives such as blog production, video content, and social media ads because of the interactions it can cause.
One of the latest ideas to drive revenue using your voice on social media is live chatting on Twitter. TweetChat, a new site that allows people to put "blinders" on to monitor a specific chat about one topic, has become a useful tool in creating channels that provide useful information to and from your company. You can use this method to ask questions and stimulate interactions with businesses or individuals in your field.
A company blog is another way to gain credibility and utilize informational support online to create credibility. It's easy to find questions to answer with a blog post, and then tweet back to individuals with similar questions to create an interaction that doesn't feel pushed or advertised,
This is the natural experience of creating a relationship and using a voice to communicate ideas from your company to consumers.
03/05/2018
It wasn't even a decade ago that we carried around novels, textbooks, and other chunky pieces of literature to provide us with entertainment during commutes or in waiting rooms. With the end of each adventure, we closed the cover and passed it on to a friend, coworker, or family member to embark upon the same great read.
With the invention of Kindles, Nooks, and other eReaders, the landscape of reading and boring books has evolved. We are all aware of their pros: portability, accessibility, and also their biggest con: PRICE. With the introduction of the eBook, we lost the ability to borrow, share, and lend books as was previously done for generations. But, it was only a matter of time before technology caught up the consumer's desires, and the libraries of the world caught up to the new technology.
With the introduction of eBook services such as Overdrive, who works with Public Libraries, and eBookFling, who lets individuals share and borrow their personal collections, eReading is finally coming up to speed with the natural way reading has been forever.
We are going to break down three popular services to rent and/or share books, and provide you with all the features, and pros and cons.
Who are the service providers?
Overdrive
What you need to get started:
1. A valid local library ID
2. An eReader or;
a. Any device that you can download the Kindle app on (iPod, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone or Tablet, etc.)
Functions
Overdrive is the number one supplier of eBooks for loan for Public Libraries worldwide. You can access Overdrive through any web browser to find your local library. Once you pull up your library's specific page, you can input your ID number in order to rent from their collection of eBooks. Once your rental has been selected, your book will download directly to you Kindle, Kindle app or other eReader by accessing your eReader account information.
Features
Availability
ebookfling
What you need to get started:
1. An ebookfling account (free to sign up)
2. An eReader or;
a. Any device that you can download the Kindle app on (iPod, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone or Tablet, etc.)
Functions
eBook fling is a book sharing program that allows users to lend their eBooks, and borrow from other lenders throughout America. For each book lent, the user receives a credit to borrow any book of their choice. When a book is delivered, you'll receive an email indicating this, with a link to right to the download page at Amazon or at Barnes & Noble for your reading device.
Features
Not only do these options open the pages of many great adventures right on your eReader, but they also bring back the thrifty tradition of passing on a great read. Overdrive and eBook fling are cost effective, have thousands of great reads, and are convenient.
With the invention of Kindles, Nooks, and other eReaders, the landscape of reading and boring books has evolved. We are all aware of their pros: portability, accessibility, and also their biggest con: PRICE. With the introduction of the eBook, we lost the ability to borrow, share, and lend books as was previously done for generations. But, it was only a matter of time before technology caught up the consumer's desires, and the libraries of the world caught up to the new technology.
With the introduction of eBook services such as Overdrive, who works with Public Libraries, and eBookFling, who lets individuals share and borrow their personal collections, eReading is finally coming up to speed with the natural way reading has been forever.
We are going to break down three popular services to rent and/or share books, and provide you with all the features, and pros and cons.
Who are the service providers?
Overdrive
What you need to get started:
1. A valid local library ID
2. An eReader or;
a. Any device that you can download the Kindle app on (iPod, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone or Tablet, etc.)
Functions
Overdrive is the number one supplier of eBooks for loan for Public Libraries worldwide. You can access Overdrive through any web browser to find your local library. Once you pull up your library's specific page, you can input your ID number in order to rent from their collection of eBooks. Once your rental has been selected, your book will download directly to you Kindle, Kindle app or other eReader by accessing your eReader account information.
Features
- Currently hosts more than 1 million digital titles from more than 1,000 digital publishers
- Digital distribution services used in more than 19,000 libraries, schools, and colleges worldwide
Availability
- Support for iPod®, iPhone®, iPad™, Android™, Sony® Reader, Kindle® (US libraries only), and thousands of other mobile devices
- Largest collection of premium audiobooks, eBooks, music, and video for the library – all available on a single website for browsing, checking out, and downloading.
ebookfling
What you need to get started:
1. An ebookfling account (free to sign up)
2. An eReader or;
a. Any device that you can download the Kindle app on (iPod, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone or Tablet, etc.)
Functions
eBook fling is a book sharing program that allows users to lend their eBooks, and borrow from other lenders throughout America. For each book lent, the user receives a credit to borrow any book of their choice. When a book is delivered, you'll receive an email indicating this, with a link to right to the download page at Amazon or at Barnes & Noble for your reading device.
Features
- 14-day lending
- 100% safe with books automatically returned within 14 days
- Tens of thousands of books available
- Earn a free rental by lending one of your eBooks
- Pay anywhere from $1.49 (for bulk orders) to $2.99 for rental credits
- Works with Kindle and Nook eReaders
- An owner of a book can only lend it one at a time
Not only do these options open the pages of many great adventures right on your eReader, but they also bring back the thrifty tradition of passing on a great read. Overdrive and eBook fling are cost effective, have thousands of great reads, and are convenient.
02/27/2018
When the rise of smart phones began in 2007 with the release of the iPhone, companies and designers raced to find the best way for websites to function on these new devices. Now, we are often navigated to the mobile version of the site. However, now that new studies are showing that tablets are expected to outsell PCs this year, designers and companies are faced with a new dilemma. How do we provide the best user experience for all platforms?
The main issues with delivering a desktop site to a mobile device or tablet are slower load times, inoperable flash or hover states, and broken images, videos, forms, etc. For these reasons building a mobile site is not an option anymore, but how you decide to build or redirect your site on tablets… the jury is still out.
Your options:
Responsive Web Design
Similarly to the way automatic doors open when they sense your presence, new design techniques have been developed to prevent that extra wait time that comes from transferring to a mobile website. Rather than being redirected and then having to click that hard to find "View Entire Site" button, why not make a website that knows how to be displayed without being redirected or on an app?
We can't just keep making new sites for every device that comes out. Responsive websites identify the screen size, layout and structural elements compatible with each device. By jumping ahead in trends, you'll save time and money by being prepared for the inevitable: an upcoming tablet nation. Consumers will be impressed by the user friendliness and innovation of your company.
Design a site exclusively for tablets
As you should know, Flash does not work on iPad devices and is not reliable on Android tablets. Flash websites can look gorgeous on desktops, but chances are, it doesn't work on tablets or mobile devices. Hover states (anything that needs a mouse to hover over it in order to trigger an action) are also nonexistent on tablets and mobile devices. For example, hovering over a menu to see sub pages. For these, you want a mobile site, but also a tablet site because the screen sizes are so different.
Another reason you might need a tablet version of your site is for more convenient usability. Some mobile sites rely on the way the user interacts with the device. For example, on an iPhone I mostly use my right hand to type or just my right thumb to navigate while holding the phone in my same hand. So how will usability be transferred to a tablet like the BlackBerry Playbook which has been built to be used with both thumbs? A site designed exclusively for users on tablets that are held in all different ways may get you those extra thumbs up.
Don't create a website for tablets
One of the top selling points of the iPad is holding the entire website in the "palm of your hand." Being able to literally touch and interact with a website already makes an impressive customer experience. Unlike smartphones, tablets are designed to function more like a desktop or laptop. Most would agree when I say that viewing a website on a tablet is much easier than trying to navigate through tiny buttons and painstakingly slow load times. If you can browse through your site with a breeze, why invest in something that you don't need?
So how do you decide? Take your site for a test run on a few devices. Pay attention to load time, forms, videos or hover states, and everything else that makes your website a desirable interaction.
The main issues with delivering a desktop site to a mobile device or tablet are slower load times, inoperable flash or hover states, and broken images, videos, forms, etc. For these reasons building a mobile site is not an option anymore, but how you decide to build or redirect your site on tablets… the jury is still out.
Your options:
Responsive Web Design
Similarly to the way automatic doors open when they sense your presence, new design techniques have been developed to prevent that extra wait time that comes from transferring to a mobile website. Rather than being redirected and then having to click that hard to find "View Entire Site" button, why not make a website that knows how to be displayed without being redirected or on an app?
We can't just keep making new sites for every device that comes out. Responsive websites identify the screen size, layout and structural elements compatible with each device. By jumping ahead in trends, you'll save time and money by being prepared for the inevitable: an upcoming tablet nation. Consumers will be impressed by the user friendliness and innovation of your company.
Design a site exclusively for tablets
As you should know, Flash does not work on iPad devices and is not reliable on Android tablets. Flash websites can look gorgeous on desktops, but chances are, it doesn't work on tablets or mobile devices. Hover states (anything that needs a mouse to hover over it in order to trigger an action) are also nonexistent on tablets and mobile devices. For example, hovering over a menu to see sub pages. For these, you want a mobile site, but also a tablet site because the screen sizes are so different.
Another reason you might need a tablet version of your site is for more convenient usability. Some mobile sites rely on the way the user interacts with the device. For example, on an iPhone I mostly use my right hand to type or just my right thumb to navigate while holding the phone in my same hand. So how will usability be transferred to a tablet like the BlackBerry Playbook which has been built to be used with both thumbs? A site designed exclusively for users on tablets that are held in all different ways may get you those extra thumbs up.
Don't create a website for tablets
One of the top selling points of the iPad is holding the entire website in the "palm of your hand." Being able to literally touch and interact with a website already makes an impressive customer experience. Unlike smartphones, tablets are designed to function more like a desktop or laptop. Most would agree when I say that viewing a website on a tablet is much easier than trying to navigate through tiny buttons and painstakingly slow load times. If you can browse through your site with a breeze, why invest in something that you don't need?
So how do you decide? Take your site for a test run on a few devices. Pay attention to load time, forms, videos or hover states, and everything else that makes your website a desirable interaction.
02/22/2018
UPS and FedEx are in the process of hiking up their rates. The situation is getting pretty heated between them as well as the retailers that use UPS and FedEx. Be it an eCommerce website or a retail store, each type of business wants to earn their customers business by offering free shipping. But as UPS and FedEx increase their prices, what is the eCommerce industry going to do? The recent and continued price hikes have posted a very vast risk to the free shipping policies that most retailers and online stores have started. How will you deliver on your promise to customers without going into loss yourself? FedEx and UPS are now going to employ the principle of dimensional weight pricing, which means that they will charge a package according to its weight as well as size to weight ratio.
The best option available as of right now is the USPS. Although the USPS too have increased their prices, they operate in such a way that it has afforded them an edge over the private shippers. For example , it not only provides delivery service on Sundays, but one can send a shipment on Sunday a well. This may be a feature that attracts some of businesses to come to USPS rather than FedEx or UPS. They are only slightly cheaper, but have less surcharges and taxes, as compared to FedEx and UPS. This adds up quickly and does make a lot of difference to both the retailer as well as the end customer. USPS may be as reliable as the others, which is something that does not hurt them.
As we approach the holiday season, some retailers may be increasing product prices to cut down losses on shipping rates due to the free shipping being offered. This may not bode well eCommerce players that sell commodity based items.
Is your business going to switch providers? Do you offer free shipping to your customers? What will you do when the new rates and shipping calculations for into place?
The best option available as of right now is the USPS. Although the USPS too have increased their prices, they operate in such a way that it has afforded them an edge over the private shippers. For example , it not only provides delivery service on Sundays, but one can send a shipment on Sunday a well. This may be a feature that attracts some of businesses to come to USPS rather than FedEx or UPS. They are only slightly cheaper, but have less surcharges and taxes, as compared to FedEx and UPS. This adds up quickly and does make a lot of difference to both the retailer as well as the end customer. USPS may be as reliable as the others, which is something that does not hurt them.
As we approach the holiday season, some retailers may be increasing product prices to cut down losses on shipping rates due to the free shipping being offered. This may not bode well eCommerce players that sell commodity based items.
Is your business going to switch providers? Do you offer free shipping to your customers? What will you do when the new rates and shipping calculations for into place?
02/19/2018
The Amazon is a place of danger and treachery that adventurers learned to fear and navigate with caution. Today, there is another Amazon that business owners should learn how to handle. Failing to do so can be the death of their business if not careful.
One company that has found a way to triumph over the online brute called Amazon is a CrossFit clothing company, Via Privé. How precisely did they manage to stay afloat and profit when facing an online juggernaut snatching up companies and putting others out of business? To paraphrase the John Houston commercial; they did it the old fashioned way, by making a connection with their customers.
Amazon is certainly an expert at cost savings and moving quickly. You've likely seen the news where they're discussing using drones for even faster delivery of products to customers. It's fast, it's possibly cost efficient. But is it personal? That's where a company like Via Privé wins this challenge. They don't call people who shop at their site customers or clients or guests; they call them Athletes, the people who would obviously be interested in and get the most use from the products. Is it a new idea? Not really. Local retailers that were stunned at Walmart's encroachment into small towns and businesses folding due to pricing and stagnant marketing learned quickly if they wanted to keep their doors open, there had to be another way to show customers it was better to shop with them. The local retailers made connections with the people. They displayed product or industry knowledge that wouldn't be available at the big box store.
Sales guru Jeffrey Gitomer's motto is "People don't like to be sold but they love to buy." If you're making it obvious that all you want is the sale, you'll get some people who are just chasing the savings but if you focus on making a personal, focused relationship with the customer and give them the knowledge, service and products that they can't get with the Online Giants, you're going to attract people and KEEP people who want that personal touch.
Should Amazon be ignored as another flash in the pan? Obviously not. Should a business roll over and close its door at the thought of challenging the online giant? If you have a personal connection with your customer that inspires them to consider you first, you can certainly grow your business and prosper.
One company that has found a way to triumph over the online brute called Amazon is a CrossFit clothing company, Via Privé. How precisely did they manage to stay afloat and profit when facing an online juggernaut snatching up companies and putting others out of business? To paraphrase the John Houston commercial; they did it the old fashioned way, by making a connection with their customers.
Amazon is certainly an expert at cost savings and moving quickly. You've likely seen the news where they're discussing using drones for even faster delivery of products to customers. It's fast, it's possibly cost efficient. But is it personal? That's where a company like Via Privé wins this challenge. They don't call people who shop at their site customers or clients or guests; they call them Athletes, the people who would obviously be interested in and get the most use from the products. Is it a new idea? Not really. Local retailers that were stunned at Walmart's encroachment into small towns and businesses folding due to pricing and stagnant marketing learned quickly if they wanted to keep their doors open, there had to be another way to show customers it was better to shop with them. The local retailers made connections with the people. They displayed product or industry knowledge that wouldn't be available at the big box store.
Sales guru Jeffrey Gitomer's motto is "People don't like to be sold but they love to buy." If you're making it obvious that all you want is the sale, you'll get some people who are just chasing the savings but if you focus on making a personal, focused relationship with the customer and give them the knowledge, service and products that they can't get with the Online Giants, you're going to attract people and KEEP people who want that personal touch.
Should Amazon be ignored as another flash in the pan? Obviously not. Should a business roll over and close its door at the thought of challenging the online giant? If you have a personal connection with your customer that inspires them to consider you first, you can certainly grow your business and prosper.
02/15/2018
Experience DreamingCode's custom pricing and self service tools to making the buying process SIMPLE!
Is your company handling customer orders in the most effective and efficient way? Or do you have sales representatives that are taking the hard way out? Keeping in mind the trends of today's business world, simply jotting down customer orders on paper, or even excel, will soon be a thing of the past. It is time to increase your efficiency and customer satisfaction.
If this is a problem for you, DreamingCode offers the perfect solution for your company's needs. With our system, we empower sales representatives to enter orders in real time. Also, our custom business to business sites allow sales representatives to give customers access to self-service tools and place their own orders! Every order that is ever placed is chronologically filed in our system under that specific customer. How easy is that?
However, not every customer is going to have the same order at the same price. You may wonder, is there a way to set individual user custom pricing per item?
The answer is yes. With DreamingCode's pricing system, you will have the ability to create custom pricing for each customer before allowing access to the self-service tools. Life will be easier for you, your sales representatives, and most importantly, your customers.
Is your company handling customer orders in the most effective and efficient way? Or do you have sales representatives that are taking the hard way out? Keeping in mind the trends of today's business world, simply jotting down customer orders on paper, or even excel, will soon be a thing of the past. It is time to increase your efficiency and customer satisfaction.
If this is a problem for you, DreamingCode offers the perfect solution for your company's needs. With our system, we empower sales representatives to enter orders in real time. Also, our custom business to business sites allow sales representatives to give customers access to self-service tools and place their own orders! Every order that is ever placed is chronologically filed in our system under that specific customer. How easy is that?
However, not every customer is going to have the same order at the same price. You may wonder, is there a way to set individual user custom pricing per item?
The answer is yes. With DreamingCode's pricing system, you will have the ability to create custom pricing for each customer before allowing access to the self-service tools. Life will be easier for you, your sales representatives, and most importantly, your customers.
02/13/2018
In today's world, smartphones are essential for people of all ages around the globe. One aspect of smartphones that has proven to make a significant difference in people's lives is the ability to use the internet. In fact, as stated by Google, more than half of Google's searches happen on mobile.
With that said, according to research done by PayPal- one of the top 10 most innovative companies in the payments industry- mobile commerce is growing at three times the rate of eCommerce. PayPal states, "…the multi-country average compound annual growth rate for mobile commerce is projected to be 42 percent, toppling ecommerce's same growth rate at 13 percent." Obviously, mobile commerce is a newer concept, but it is quickly making a name for itself in the eCommerce industry.
With the ability for anyone to seamlessly purchase products online with the touch of their finger, the Mobile eCommerce industry has sky rocketed. Put the rise of mobile eCommerce in one hand, and the rise of B2B eCommerce in the other, and you have the perfect combination.
This is where DreamingCode comes in. Our Commerce Platform allows business to business eCommerce through mobile. Authenticated accounts are able to log in VIA MOBILE to the B2B portal of the business, check the inventory, and place orders based on customer pricing that is already set up for them! No matter where you are, if you have a smartphone at hand, DreamingCode allows all of your B2B/B2C eCommerce needs to be satisfied.
With that said, according to research done by PayPal- one of the top 10 most innovative companies in the payments industry- mobile commerce is growing at three times the rate of eCommerce. PayPal states, "…the multi-country average compound annual growth rate for mobile commerce is projected to be 42 percent, toppling ecommerce's same growth rate at 13 percent." Obviously, mobile commerce is a newer concept, but it is quickly making a name for itself in the eCommerce industry.
With the ability for anyone to seamlessly purchase products online with the touch of their finger, the Mobile eCommerce industry has sky rocketed. Put the rise of mobile eCommerce in one hand, and the rise of B2B eCommerce in the other, and you have the perfect combination.
This is where DreamingCode comes in. Our Commerce Platform allows business to business eCommerce through mobile. Authenticated accounts are able to log in VIA MOBILE to the B2B portal of the business, check the inventory, and place orders based on customer pricing that is already set up for them! No matter where you are, if you have a smartphone at hand, DreamingCode allows all of your B2B/B2C eCommerce needs to be satisfied.
02/09/2018
It has never been so easy for anyone to search products and find something that have never seen before that meets all of their needs. 81% of consumers research a product online before making a purchase. This might seem like a threat to your traditional sales channels, however, launching a B2B ecommerce was never meant to be an alternative to standard sales. It was meant to be an opportunity to expand.
It still is...
How can your business successfully utilize B2B e-commerce without diminishing its sales force? The key is to use your online business as a way to reinforce existing sales methods while implementing new methods to reach a new customer base.
Using your team's knowledge and expertise to help assemble each of these approaches will not only boost their feeling towards your online store, but also create a great environment where your customers are continuously dealing with masterful team. These tactics are easy to implement and will help improve your sales team's numbers as well as your online traffic. Win-win!
It still is...
How can your business successfully utilize B2B e-commerce without diminishing its sales force? The key is to use your online business as a way to reinforce existing sales methods while implementing new methods to reach a new customer base.
- One of the most successful ways ecommerce can help your traditional sales team is by providing complex product guides and information. These allow your customers to research your products faster and facilitate their decision on what product is right for them. When they come in, they'll be ready to make a purchase.
- There is nothing more stressful for customers than to have a product and not know how to use it. And let's face it, no one wants to read the instructions booklet. The best way to help your customers is with how-to guides and demonstration videos. Not only will these showcase real world scenarios where your product or service is used, it can also attract new customers with help of influencers or potential viral video!
- Case studies can provide specific information about your business to your customers. Some of your company's key instances and stories can help your customers know more about who you are and what your company is all about.
- Blogging can be the heart of your your business's online and physical store traffic. A blog is nothing more than a conversation with your customers. It encourages feedback with comments and allows you to show off some of your company's greatest aspects and your brand's best stories. Blogging is nothing more than free content marketing! Use it!
Using your team's knowledge and expertise to help assemble each of these approaches will not only boost their feeling towards your online store, but also create a great environment where your customers are continuously dealing with masterful team. These tactics are easy to implement and will help improve your sales team's numbers as well as your online traffic. Win-win!
02/07/2018
You have an efficient product, a great store, and a more than ready team prepared to drive your sales through the roof, but where are the customers? Everything looks to be in place yet your business seems to be slacking. How does a small business like yours expand to reach new customers?
In 2017, more than 50% of shoppers begin their search for the perfect product online. This means if you are not selling online, you are missing 50% of the market! Opening up to an online market will expand your business's sales and engage more shoppers than ever, leaving you wondering why it took you so long to get started.
Many business owners report they haven't expanded their businesses online because of how time consuming it can be. Fortunately for you, DreamingCode makes ecommerce simple. DreamingCode Commerce is a cloud based platform built from the ground up to be mobile first and integrate with any ERP and EDI feed. By using this platform, your brand will reach out to new customers from anywhere around the world. DreamingCode ensures a seamless online profile, providing only the best experiences for your newly found customer base. All I.T. and web aspects are handled in the background through DreamingCode's experienced team, so you can put all your focus into running your business.
Monitoring sales, managing inventory, reviewing/editing/adding/and canceling orders will also be in the palm of your hands. The DreamingCode portal will give you access to real time data while providing you with in depth analytics to help you sell and better understand your segmentation. This sheds light on what drives product sales, helping you to identify and focus on your marketing strategies that are work well with your products.
Now that the software portion is covered, let's move on to the marketing. How do you go from a newly built store to streaming online traffic and leads? First thing you can do is add search engine optimization (SEO). These are keywords that will lead your customer's search queries straight to you. DreamingCode has the analytics to find exactly what your customers will search for, putting your site at the top of every possible search. It's especially important to focus on where you can make the most impact online. Having positive customer service and support interaction will always impress your customers more than the impact of something going wrong within their shopping experience. DreamingCode has offices in 3 different time zones allowing for almost 24 hours of work on any of your projects. If something ever does go wrong, the support team will start working on your case as soon as it's in and will not stop working on it until resolved.
Dreamingcode Commerce will work smarter so you don't have to work harder. Have you thought of giving it a try?
In 2017, more than 50% of shoppers begin their search for the perfect product online. This means if you are not selling online, you are missing 50% of the market! Opening up to an online market will expand your business's sales and engage more shoppers than ever, leaving you wondering why it took you so long to get started.
Many business owners report they haven't expanded their businesses online because of how time consuming it can be. Fortunately for you, DreamingCode makes ecommerce simple. DreamingCode Commerce is a cloud based platform built from the ground up to be mobile first and integrate with any ERP and EDI feed. By using this platform, your brand will reach out to new customers from anywhere around the world. DreamingCode ensures a seamless online profile, providing only the best experiences for your newly found customer base. All I.T. and web aspects are handled in the background through DreamingCode's experienced team, so you can put all your focus into running your business.
Monitoring sales, managing inventory, reviewing/editing/adding/and canceling orders will also be in the palm of your hands. The DreamingCode portal will give you access to real time data while providing you with in depth analytics to help you sell and better understand your segmentation. This sheds light on what drives product sales, helping you to identify and focus on your marketing strategies that are work well with your products.
Now that the software portion is covered, let's move on to the marketing. How do you go from a newly built store to streaming online traffic and leads? First thing you can do is add search engine optimization (SEO). These are keywords that will lead your customer's search queries straight to you. DreamingCode has the analytics to find exactly what your customers will search for, putting your site at the top of every possible search. It's especially important to focus on where you can make the most impact online. Having positive customer service and support interaction will always impress your customers more than the impact of something going wrong within their shopping experience. DreamingCode has offices in 3 different time zones allowing for almost 24 hours of work on any of your projects. If something ever does go wrong, the support team will start working on your case as soon as it's in and will not stop working on it until resolved.
Dreamingcode Commerce will work smarter so you don't have to work harder. Have you thought of giving it a try?
02/02/2018
Have you ever wondered why your online store is not bringing in enough traffic? Chances are your market audience has no idea your site even exists; it is likely lost, deep in the realm of the world wide web with hundreds of sites just like it. So how does one make their site stand out, suppress the competition, and generate more sales? Search engine optimization or SEO in short, are guidelines your business can take that will optimize your website for search engines and improve your search engine rankings, thus resulting in more online traffic. An umpteen number of search engine users will presumably click on the top results of the first page. By simply updating your SEO, your website will become more visible to search engines, helping you to gain additional visitors to your online.
Search engine options is a significant way for your business to find its way to the top of a search query. Not only will SEO help search engines better understand and display your business, they will also allow potential customers to simplify the process of it. Your business will max out in online traffic and your customers will find the right business to suit their needs (YOURS!) It's a win-win for everyone!
Meta Titles
Generating a meta title can be the invisible factor in how visible you web page is. A meta title is hidden text that appears only in search engines results. It is meant to give potential customers the a first look into what your business is all about. Most people who have found your site through a search engine alone will not be familiar with your company and what it does. Your meta title will then step in to provide more details about your products and services than your business name and slogan would alone. Remember: The meta title you chose to display will have a direct impact on where your business is ranked, depending on the user's search query.
Meta Descriptions
Your web site's meta description is your opportunity to promote your business. This can be one of the biggest challenges for any site to realize: to create content that perfectly describes their products and services while persuading new people to click on it. These short, 160 character snippets allow searchers to know exactly what your business has to offer, in consideration to what they're searching for. Meta descriptions do not necessarily help in get your site in higher rankings within a search, however, they do encourage searchers to click on your listing, helping generate more website traffic from the search engine results page.
Meta keywords
Setting keywords that lead to your site can be especially important if you looking to attract customers to a physical location. Your pages should result at the top of local searches. This can be achieved through keywords that are competitive enough to distinguish your business from others but not too complex that it will likely never be searched for. Keep in mind who your customers are and what they would search for if they were looking for your services. Meta keywords will optimize the chances of your web site being at the top of the results list, so long as you use the right ones.
Generating a meta title can be the invisible factor in how visible you web page is. A meta title is hidden text that appears only in search engines results. It is meant to give potential customers the a first look into what your business is all about. Most people who have found your site through a search engine alone will not be familiar with your company and what it does. Your meta title will then step in to provide more details about your products and services than your business name and slogan would alone. Remember: The meta title you chose to display will have a direct impact on where your business is ranked, depending on the user's search query.
Meta Descriptions
Your web site's meta description is your opportunity to promote your business. This can be one of the biggest challenges for any site to realize: to create content that perfectly describes their products and services while persuading new people to click on it. These short, 160 character snippets allow searchers to know exactly what your business has to offer, in consideration to what they're searching for. Meta descriptions do not necessarily help in get your site in higher rankings within a search, however, they do encourage searchers to click on your listing, helping generate more website traffic from the search engine results page.
Meta keywords
Setting keywords that lead to your site can be especially important if you looking to attract customers to a physical location. Your pages should result at the top of local searches. This can be achieved through keywords that are competitive enough to distinguish your business from others but not too complex that it will likely never be searched for. Keep in mind who your customers are and what they would search for if they were looking for your services. Meta keywords will optimize the chances of your web site being at the top of the results list, so long as you use the right ones.
Search engine options is a significant way for your business to find its way to the top of a search query. Not only will SEO help search engines better understand and display your business, they will also allow potential customers to simplify the process of it. Your business will max out in online traffic and your customers will find the right business to suit their needs (YOURS!) It's a win-win for everyone!
01/30/2018
Question: What do these once popular retailers have in common?
Sears and Kmart
J.C. Penny
Macy's
Have you figured it out yet? Maybe a couple more will help...
Bebe Stores Inc.
Crocs
The Limited
Wet Seal
American Apparel
Payless Shoesource
GameStop
Give up? Here is the severity of it. These are just a few of the chains that are shutting stores nationally and worldwide, with some closing upwards of 100 stores in 2017 alone. At this time last year, store closings where about half of what they are today. Given these numbers, it's safe to say that this sector is imploding at the rate of 100% year after year. Over 3000 stores closings have been announced this year, ranging from department stores to specialty stores and everything in between.
Question 2: Why is this happening?
Simple. The Amazon Effect. No one estimated Amazon to become the monster that it has become today. When launched in 1997, Amazon's shares were priced at $18. Today, they are ranging from $930 to $940 a pop, and climbing. Thanks to Amazon, there has been a light shed on the effortlessness of online shopping. Retailers are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of overhead and labor and the decrease in store traffic. Amazon is a force to be reckoned with and the retail industry is scrambling to survive their impact.
Question 3: How can I keep this from happening to my enterprise?
To move forward in business, you need to take a leap that will impact it significantly. Amazon provides relevant search results, seamless online experiences, 24-hour shopping potential, and speedy processing. A business must be equally as compelling as the e-tail giant to be able to compete with it and a store alone cannot achieve that. B2B eCommerce is where the industry is going, and to keep your business from becoming just another name in the list of failing stores, adopting the process through your own site is the only feasible option.
Sears and Kmart
J.C. Penny
Macy's
Have you figured it out yet? Maybe a couple more will help...
Bebe Stores Inc.
Crocs
The Limited
Wet Seal
American Apparel
Payless Shoesource
GameStop
Give up? Here is the severity of it. These are just a few of the chains that are shutting stores nationally and worldwide, with some closing upwards of 100 stores in 2017 alone. At this time last year, store closings where about half of what they are today. Given these numbers, it's safe to say that this sector is imploding at the rate of 100% year after year. Over 3000 stores closings have been announced this year, ranging from department stores to specialty stores and everything in between.
Question 2: Why is this happening?
Simple. The Amazon Effect. No one estimated Amazon to become the monster that it has become today. When launched in 1997, Amazon's shares were priced at $18. Today, they are ranging from $930 to $940 a pop, and climbing. Thanks to Amazon, there has been a light shed on the effortlessness of online shopping. Retailers are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of overhead and labor and the decrease in store traffic. Amazon is a force to be reckoned with and the retail industry is scrambling to survive their impact.
Question 3: How can I keep this from happening to my enterprise?
To move forward in business, you need to take a leap that will impact it significantly. Amazon provides relevant search results, seamless online experiences, 24-hour shopping potential, and speedy processing. A business must be equally as compelling as the e-tail giant to be able to compete with it and a store alone cannot achieve that. B2B eCommerce is where the industry is going, and to keep your business from becoming just another name in the list of failing stores, adopting the process through your own site is the only feasible option.
