1. Create Loyal Brand Relationships
You need to consider customer service — how it is a part of your brand and what interactivity you need to provide to assist customers pre- and post-purchase.

When buyers make a purchase online directly, companies can learn a lot about an individual’s profile and preferences. You can make a deeper and meaningful relationship online with your consumers — and now, with the general availability of content management, email, e-commerce and social commerce technologies, you can easily maintain and control the brand experience.

2. Incorporate Loyalty Programs
Building your online e-commerce capability means you have more control over promotions and loyalty programs that can benefit your customers and your brand.

3. Focus on the Entire Brand
Let your customers access your whole product range. Your website is the online equivalent to your “brand store” — think Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) Store or NikeTown.

Here you can expose visitors to your full offering, and cross-sell or upsell in ways that e-retailers can’t or won’t. In general, e-retailers are brand-agnostic. This means a customer choosing to buy a Samsung television online might be offered a Panasonic DVD player or a Sony (NYSE: SNE) surround sound system as other items to complement and complete their purchase.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that companies are choosing to become e-retailers in their own right (where they can cross-sell and upsell products) in addition to selling their goods and services through third parties.

4. Give Customers What They Want
Use personalization. This is your opportunity to tailor the online experience for your visitors. The more information you can collect about them, whether implicitly or explicitly gathered, the better you can tailor information and promotions presented to meet their needs. This may not only help conversions, but also can build the value perception of your brand. Ask yourself — what do visitors really want out of the site?

Maybe it’s just more-detailed product information than they might find on an e-retailer’s site, or the ability to know which retail outlet to choose. Consider presenting links to all your e-retailers with their pricing, so the price-sensitive shopper can find the easiest way to convert.

5. Manage the channel
You need to consider your retailers and e-retailers, and plan how to manage any channel conflict. This can be done either through technology or negotiation.

You may choose to direct traffic to your channel, allowing customers to choose based on location or price, or you may have obligations to direct more volume to new or established channels based on retention or growth strategies.

6. Performance Metrics
Taking the proper measurements of the traffic and behavior on your site can not only help boost conversions, but also help you better understand visitor behavior so you can adjust the messaging about your brand or products.

Determining what is not working might be more important than measuring what already is working. The ability to adapt and change content easily and test out different messaging or promotions will quickly improve your bottom line.

7. Socialize Within Your Community
Using social media may help bring traffic in, but if you control the equivalent of the brand store, why not keep the conversations going with your own community?

Branded communities tend to give more-specific value to the brand owner and the members, allowing for greater communication and collaboration around the brand. Your branded community can associate customers with others of similar interest (for example, how your product is used) to give ideas or inspiration, even letting community members become involved in product feedback and innovation cycles.

It will not only give your audience an integrated experience, but also give you credible references that go beyond what your marketing writers can do.

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It’s possible that eBay didn’t foresee just how much they would benefit form their eBay consignments program. Designed to unite experienced eBay sellers with people who want heir merchandise sold on eBay without having to do it themselves, the Trading Assistant program has enjoyed enormous success.

As big as eBay had become — larger than all other online auction venues combined — they were still missing out on a large segment of the population; the technophobes. These people would sell goods on eBay if they had access to a computer and a digital camera, and had the time and inclination to learn how to run an auction. But they either don’t have the technology or they lack the desire to become auctioneers, or both. Since they’re not on line, they’re not likely to learn about Trading Assistants who advertise primarily through eBay. And even if they saw the ads, they probably wouldn’t trust them.

You see, people active in the online community are already comfortable with the environment, which has an element of anonymity. But a non-computer person is more likely to want to deal with a real, brick-and-mortar retail business. They may not trust someone who runs auctions out of their home.

How to reach these people? Introducing the concept of the “Trading Post”…

A Trading post is to eBay consignments what the typical consignment shop is to the average community. It’s a drop off location that allows consumers to drop their stuff off and have it sold for them as a service. It’s a retail location that markets itself to consumers as a local, experienced ebay consignments seller — a Trading Assistant with a brick-and-mortar store.

While any ebay trading assistant can establish an ebay consignments service out of a retail location, only a Trading Post can put the eBay brand on their physical storefront.

(A trading assistant can only advertise inside their store). With this privilege comes a higher standard, ie, eBay has “raised the bar” on their requirements.

A Trading Post must meet the following additional requirements:

-Offers a staffed drop-off location or storefront with regular drop-in hours, so that clients can visit the location without calling ahead.

-Has a feedback score of 500 or higher

-Has at least 98% positive feedback

-Has sales of at least $25,000 on eBay each month

Online, clients can search for Trading Posts specifically, and Trading Posts may receive priority placement in search results. (Yes, even some online clients prefer the retail setting). Also, Trading Posts are displayed with a special icon next to their User ID. If you’re a Trading Assistant who also meets the requirements, you automatically qualify as a Trading Post and do not need to take additional steps.

Walt Duflock, Director of the eBay Trading Assistant Program and a real life trading assistant, has announced eBay’s intention of having “secret shoppers” and “customer satisfaction surveys” to see if there are certain Trading Post locations eBay would like to support more than others.

Regardless of your status on ebay, there are tools that everyone can use to build their success as TAs, available on the ebay site. I’ve found many of them quite valuable. For example, among their efficiency tools, they recommend using contact management software. eBay regards this as a great tool for getting “a better understanding of how many prospects it takes to actually create one new client and how long it takes for a client to go from initial contact to hiring you as a TA.”

And as far as support, some of the Trading Posts have become so large that they no longer rely on eBay for help. Some have developed their own proprietary systems for tracking customers and inventory, and managing their auctions. The largest and most successful ebay consignment business will even get you started with your own franchise which includes the use of their proprietary systems. All you need to come up with is $55 K plus operating expenses.

But, never fear. You can start your ebay consignment business on a shoestring, and this is how the majority begin. Since 1998, eBay and similar auction sites have been growing by leaps and bounds. eBay consignments are still in their infancy, but I predict a very bright future!

© Copyright 2004 Carolyn Schweitzer DDS. Dr. Schweitzer was a family dentist for 20 years and is now owner and editor of several websites. You can learn more about where to find specific links to the Trading Assistant and Trading Post programs by visiting her website at [http://www.netbrainer.com/site/500041/page/449460].

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Let’s start with looking at what exactly Ebay considers to be a link:

A link is any mechanism used to take you off the eBay site, whether static or clickable. This applies to any format used for a link that includes, but is not limited to, text, images, logos or icons.

What this means is that the listing must be solely for the purpose of selling the item, and not for general business advertisements.

Now reading this you would think that they have completely closed the door but they have in fact still left you with plenty of options, what you need to realise that these cannot be direct solicitations to sell outside of the Ebay marketplace. So what exactly can you link to from your auction listings, well you are allowed to:

You are allowed to link to a page that further describes the product for sale, that page may contain links to other pages that offer items for sale outside of eBay. This is permitted, provided the intent of the link is to further describe your item. If you have a logo for any of these links, it may be no greater than 88×33 pixels and it may not flash or otherwise move.

So provide a detailed description of the product and also include your standard menu bar, this not only makes your page part of your sites look and feel but also presents the reader the opportunity to click around and you are also not enticing people to do so.

You are allowed to place one link, and one link only, to your email address so bidders can ask for extra information. Your email address may be a link that opens an email client or web form (no links are permitted off of the web form however). This link must only provide a contact service, making the link direct to sales pages or product offers is in conflict with Ebay policy.

So provide an email contact address that is related to your website, ie. is specific to your domain name. Most internet users are savvy enough to realise that this address is linked to a website and will take a look if they are curious enough.

You are also allowed to link to pages that contain further pictures of the item for sale, these photo pages may also contain “discrete” links to other pages that offer items for sale outside the eBay online marketplace, but may not contain descriptions of or links to specific items on other sites.

So make sure the page fits in with your website and has your usual menus in place and people will take the opportunity to look around your site, DO NOT place descriptions or enticing strap lines to encourage the clicking away from Ebay. You will find that this is not needed and you will generate hits/visitors anyway. Also bear in mind that this page is allowed to have images of other items that you have for sale on Ebay so use it to highlight your offer and also increase traffic to your other auctions on Ebay.

You are also allowed to watermark your images with the address of your website, this is because the images are yours and as such you own the copyright. If they are not your images and are generic images that you don’t have copyright to then you are not allowed to firstly use them and secondly watermark them as your own.

You are allowed to link to your Ebay Shop, other items you have for sale on Ebay and your About Me Page. Your About Me Page is a key means to help develop traffic to your own site.

You are allowed to provide credit to any third part solutions and services that you use to help you generate your listing, for example if you use any of the Free Ebay Templates that we provide then you are allowed to leave in the link acknowledgement that is within the HTML already. The key to this remaining within Ebay policy is that the credit must be:

o No more than 10 words of text (HTML font size 3)

o A logo (88 x 33 pixels)

Importantly it can also only be one of these and not both and must also conform to the below:

o The credit may not contain promotional material about additional services or other information about the company. It should only identify the service provided by the company.

o The credit may link only to the third-party company’s website containing information about the eBay service.

o The service being credited should only be one that the seller is using within that particular listing.

o If an image hosting service is used, sellers may display a credit for the image hosting service provider.

A lot of sellers are starting to use links to pages away from Ebay that detail the terms and conditions of the sale, firstly it is Ebay policy to have these within the listing itself but any such pages that are linked to CANNOT include ANY links to pages outside of the Ebay Marketplace. The simple solution is just to list these in the listing itself and not run the risk of breaking policy.

All the above should maximise the traffic opportunities that Ebay can provide, you must also exercise restraint when using them as going overboard and linking every other sentence for example will be deemed as soliciting off Ebay sales even if the links are allowed in Ebay policy. One of two per listing is more than enough.

Mike – Webmaster and eBay Power Seller at Online Auction Trader your source of Free Ebay Templates

We offer free templates, information and product sourcing to enable you to develop your online auctions into a sustainable, long term income stream.

We also operate a Ebay Forum where any advice can be sought on any aspect of Online Trading.

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There are millions of people who want to make a living from eBay. Why don’t they all succeed? If there was one answer I’d tell you in a heart beat. Heres one piece of the puzzle to help you optimize your eBay sales.

When placing an eBay auction, it can seem like it takes forever. Making sure you have everything perfect from the starting bid to all your images actually showing up (and in the right place). It can be a little hectic, and one thing many sellers are overlooking: they’re not choosing the best time to start their eBay auction. Would you want your auctions to come to a close at 3 AM on a weekday? Do you really think this is the best time to end your eBay auction? Of course not. Sundays are eBay’s hot day partially because many people are off work. I’m sure you’ve been a casual Sunday browser before.

So Sundays eBay’s traffic is at its highest. That means more viewers for your auctions. That means more bidders. That means more money. Simple as that. If you want to really maximize your auctions then avoid having them end on Holidays. Sounds like common sense but you’d be amazed at how many sellers are kicking themselves after a couple bids when they realize its set up to end new years eve (maybe they are trying to draw intoxicated bidders, ha).

Keep US time zones into account. Remember that ending an auction at seven on the Pacific sets it up to close at ten at Eastern. It can be tricky to appeal to everyone. You can always use the following page to see the official eBay Time and calculate the time in your area: http://viv.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?EbayTime

Anyways, should you have every item in your entire inventory end on Sunday at 7pm? Of course not, don’t go overboard. Its little tips like this that separate the “I tried selling on eBay” from the successful powersellers.
Good luck!

» See also:
Unique and Expensive 1960’s Camera Watch for Sale on eBay: One-of-a-Kind Masterpiece for James Bond

How to Make $500′000+ per One Item Sold on eBay or Do You Believe in 165′360 Percent Profit Margin?

eBay or PayPal Hacked? Credit Card Info of 1200 Users Posted on Trust & Safety Forum

Mom Sells on eBay a Lot of Pokemon Cards That Kids Sneaked Into Shopping Cart at the Grocery Store

[via omgbay.com]

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Who wouldn’t use certain further cash again and again? What if that further funds can become a business that could replace your entire income and make you with the flexibility to take pleasure in daily life? Each of this really is feasible for any individual to achieve. The internet has give us all several opportunities to create our own achievement these days. eBay is often a great instance of a market which is open towards the public from which everyone are able to invest in, promote as well as get earnings. Regardless of whether you are searching for added cash as well as to construct a business, promoting on eBay can certainly allow it happen for you. Read on to learn about many top strategies to make money on eBay.

According to documents issued from Compete.com, eBay gets 70,101,522 visitors every month. Thats a heck of allot of people all thinking about doing one particular thing – shopping. eBay has a name for being a great area to choose up a superb work. If you are looking to make money on eBay, you are able to take advantage of the popularity and also the huge amount of buyers to hang out your very own shingle and also earn money with all the web’s premier promote giant.

There are numerous strategies to make money on eBay. So what on earth you decide to focus on depends on your personal targets along with whether you are in search of additional cash or maybe a full time small business. The very best solution to make money on eBay is always to choose one enterprise model and also stick with it. Many profitable eBay traders niche their particular products just like shops around the real life. The concentrate on just one particular series of products will not only provide you with the style of an authority source nevertheless, it would allow you to funnel your entire work in to working on just one thing as well as undertaking it well.

Here i will discuss 4 popular methods to make money on eBay:

Clean Out Your personal House

Going to the storage to find objects which you do not like and then can easily sell on eBay is the way a lot of dealers get began. Additionally it is an excellent strategy to clear up several extra storage space and make several bucks from the process. It couldn’t create a great long termhome business for visible causes, however,it could be a good solution to make a number of extra income on eBay.

Yardsale and Flea Market Reselling

Investing in used merchandise from yard sales and flea markets and then selling them on eBay is a good solution to make a few further cash. Many home sellers concentrate on a certain style of products such as collectibles and also scout local sales for these things. This really is A superb Solution toearn some side income, but finding objects to promote is time consuming.

Wholesale Dropshipping

Dropshipping is really a well-known strategy to make money on eBay. In the event that you work with any wholesale dropshipper, you can get a catalog of brand new items that you simply don’t have to stock or post (the wholesale dropshipper posts the item instantly to your customer). In fact, you just compensate the dropshipper once youboost your sales.

Dropshipping is a great low danger strategy to help to make fantastic dollars on eBay. It can be as well one thing that may be grown in to a full time home business if you so select. Visit at the end of this particular page to get extra details on how to profit with eBay dropshipping.

Investing in and Reselling Automobiles on eBay Autos

Promoting cars purchased from local market on eBay autos can be a second well-liked method to make money on eBay. This premise is easy to understand, you buy or get the rights to market local used cars on eBay autos for income or for a fee on the part of the seller. Just for the auto fans on the market, this is often a excellent way to make money on eBay and even may be either a small side home business or a professional enterprise.

Therefore you want to make money on eBay… We will get started without delay! Just click here to discover each of the juicy information about the way to make money on eBay with real dropshippers.

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