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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.
07/20/2017
In 2012, we saw the introduction of AmazonSupply, where the eCommerce giant began to experiment with the B2B marketplace. In 2015, Amazon inclined its B2B venture with the US launch of Amazon Business. By December 2016, Amazon expanded its business offerings to Germany, and we now await its next project in the UK. Amazon's expansion to new nations has many wondering if B2B eCommerce platforms will obsolete in its competition. Reports are focusing on Amazon's influential power and potential to seize the position of many specialized eCommerce platforms and web shops already in use by many businesses globally. In contrary, Amazon Business is more likely to give smaller companies the break to surge its market reach by creating challenges for B2B organizations who do not deliver a strong enough buying experience and understand the needs of their clientele. Amazon Business can be considered a motivating factor for B2B eCommerce corporations, if they can recognize where they being tested -- updating their standardized B2B services, providing flawless shopping experiences, and apprising offerings to the mass market.
Although Amazon offers procurement system integration, they do not have a fully integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This lack in real-time and simplified updates within their software, allows for an open door of possibilities for eCommerce businesses to grow. Companies that sell within a large range of the market will profit by exporting detailed product information from the ERP directly into the likes of larger e-tail sites leaving B2B businesses that are incapable of offering more complex technologies to suffer in revenue and growth. Unfortunately, it will not be as simple as updating software alone. Keen businesses could simply use eCommerce platforms for composite services and products while using Amazon Business to market for simple transactions.
Industries who can also provide seamless shopping experiences through multiple channels will also be able to advance, for Amazon Business has trouble delivering through all customer touch points. This allows opportunities for businesses with specialty products where direct customer contact is a part of the online sales process. By creating an omni-channel approach that certifies every customer receives the best experience no matter where they are in the sales cycle, stronger customer relationships can be built. B2B is all about favored supply and repeat transactions, not searching for the cheapest price day to day. By meeting customer needs more closely, web stores will succeed.
Although Amazon offers procurement system integration, they do not have a fully integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This lack in real-time and simplified updates within their software, allows for an open door of possibilities for eCommerce businesses to grow. Companies that sell within a large range of the market will profit by exporting detailed product information from the ERP directly into the likes of larger e-tail sites leaving B2B businesses that are incapable of offering more complex technologies to suffer in revenue and growth. Unfortunately, it will not be as simple as updating software alone. Keen businesses could simply use eCommerce platforms for composite services and products while using Amazon Business to market for simple transactions.
Industries who can also provide seamless shopping experiences through multiple channels will also be able to advance, for Amazon Business has trouble delivering through all customer touch points. This allows opportunities for businesses with specialty products where direct customer contact is a part of the online sales process. By creating an omni-channel approach that certifies every customer receives the best experience no matter where they are in the sales cycle, stronger customer relationships can be built. B2B is all about favored supply and repeat transactions, not searching for the cheapest price day to day. By meeting customer needs more closely, web stores will succeed.
07/17/2017
After ringing in the new year, researchers are predicting that about 60% of all purchases done in 2017 will either be done online or directly influenced by digital media. If that doesn't sway you enough, by 2020 nearly all store sales are predicted to be inclined by online services. For companies to stay relevant and survive the digital era, they are encouraged to update their digital presence in homes across the world by investing in their own eCommerce speed and growth.
Consumer behavior has been changing for several years. With implementation of online B2B and B2C increasing in size, conventional shopping has slowed. In 2016, more than 50 percent of the US's digitally connected shoppers began their experience on Amazon, making making them a leading force in eCommerce. Within their last quarter alone, Amazon was has increased revenue by 22 percent, while simultaneously investing 27 percent more into technology and content.
Businesses that are refusing to enhance online services have taken hard hits with dipping in sales and profits. Conventional channels alone are no longer enough, forcing many retailers to down-size and even close many physical store locations. Brands from high end to sports and beyond are shifting their focus to accelerating online services. Investing in online services and apps are no longer a choice for businesses to remain relevant to their customers. Organizations of every size must adjust in order keep up with the change.
Consumer behavior has been changing for several years. With implementation of online B2B and B2C increasing in size, conventional shopping has slowed. In 2016, more than 50 percent of the US's digitally connected shoppers began their experience on Amazon, making making them a leading force in eCommerce. Within their last quarter alone, Amazon was has increased revenue by 22 percent, while simultaneously investing 27 percent more into technology and content.
Businesses that are refusing to enhance online services have taken hard hits with dipping in sales and profits. Conventional channels alone are no longer enough, forcing many retailers to down-size and even close many physical store locations. Brands from high end to sports and beyond are shifting their focus to accelerating online services. Investing in online services and apps are no longer a choice for businesses to remain relevant to their customers. Organizations of every size must adjust in order keep up with the change.
08/31/2016
Tag is a fun game played by elementary school kids, and it has turned into a fun way to categorize tweets and instagrams. But, tags are also used to help your website receive more traffic through optimizing popular words and phrases that describe your company or site.
Unless you're in the tech industry, you probably don't often think about the order of a search engine's results. Without the proper tools, your web page may not even be listed on search engines. By submitting your search engine return pages (SERPs), you can now find your site, and take advantage of the game of tags.
Usually, a search engine's top sites have taken time to look into content, strategy, and competition.
Content
Obviously fresh content that links to your site or gets your name out there makes the site visitor more intrigued and you, credible. But even with the best content on the web, without SEO, your site won't draw in the traffic that it deserves.
Often the credibility of the content is based on where the site ranks on the search engines, not necessarily on the content itself. For content, tags are necessary for each page, article, and photo to help your content show up in searches. So now that you have fresh content, how do you implement a better strategy?
Strategy
It's important to think about what kinds of phrases people are looking for when thinking about landing pages, tags, and topics for blog content. Using your own traffic reporting tools, take a look at your Keyword Referral Data for your site to see what keywords are generating new visitors. The highest quality keywords should give you some ideas of what to continue to blog about and develop within your site.
You should also use your traffic reporting tools to analyze your visitor activity. How long are people spending on your site and on what pages? Does it seem that they are finding the information that they need? You want your content to line up with what people are using your company for, as well as what pages don't seem to be intriguing your guests.
Google Webmaster Tools Search Queries will help you see where you show up in phrase searches along with how many clicks and impressions you're receiving. Take into consideration what phrases are showing up after position three on the search engine to see if you should develop more important content to move those search phrases up.
Third-Party Referral Reports can also be seen via Google Analytics. This will help you understand why people link and mention your website and should show yu how to gain more exposure using similar ideas and targets.
Social media list development is the final strategy you should be looking at. This has become essential to SEO. Building professional relationships helps you spread content and develops more traffic. You should be looking to build connection with bloggers, analysts, prominent journalisms, and other professionals in the communication field. Social media is also an excellent way to connect with customers, partners, and prospects.
Competition
The whole point of SEO is to beat out competitors at new prospects and to gain credibility as an industry leader. By using these strategies and comparing what tags you and your competitors are using, you'll be able to get creative with the most important subjects, tags, and phrases that help your site drive traffic.
Unless you're in the tech industry, you probably don't often think about the order of a search engine's results. Without the proper tools, your web page may not even be listed on search engines. By submitting your search engine return pages (SERPs), you can now find your site, and take advantage of the game of tags.
Usually, a search engine's top sites have taken time to look into content, strategy, and competition.
Content
Obviously fresh content that links to your site or gets your name out there makes the site visitor more intrigued and you, credible. But even with the best content on the web, without SEO, your site won't draw in the traffic that it deserves.
Often the credibility of the content is based on where the site ranks on the search engines, not necessarily on the content itself. For content, tags are necessary for each page, article, and photo to help your content show up in searches. So now that you have fresh content, how do you implement a better strategy?
Strategy
It's important to think about what kinds of phrases people are looking for when thinking about landing pages, tags, and topics for blog content. Using your own traffic reporting tools, take a look at your Keyword Referral Data for your site to see what keywords are generating new visitors. The highest quality keywords should give you some ideas of what to continue to blog about and develop within your site.
You should also use your traffic reporting tools to analyze your visitor activity. How long are people spending on your site and on what pages? Does it seem that they are finding the information that they need? You want your content to line up with what people are using your company for, as well as what pages don't seem to be intriguing your guests.
Google Webmaster Tools Search Queries will help you see where you show up in phrase searches along with how many clicks and impressions you're receiving. Take into consideration what phrases are showing up after position three on the search engine to see if you should develop more important content to move those search phrases up.
Third-Party Referral Reports can also be seen via Google Analytics. This will help you understand why people link and mention your website and should show yu how to gain more exposure using similar ideas and targets.
Social media list development is the final strategy you should be looking at. This has become essential to SEO. Building professional relationships helps you spread content and develops more traffic. You should be looking to build connection with bloggers, analysts, prominent journalisms, and other professionals in the communication field. Social media is also an excellent way to connect with customers, partners, and prospects.
Competition
The whole point of SEO is to beat out competitors at new prospects and to gain credibility as an industry leader. By using these strategies and comparing what tags you and your competitors are using, you'll be able to get creative with the most important subjects, tags, and phrases that help your site drive traffic.
08/31/2016
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 smart phones, 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 smart phones, 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.
