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In today’s ecommerce news briefs, we’ll examine a new CSE-comparison study from CPC Strategy, and take a look at some interesting findings about gender demographics and online shopping. CPC Strategy Study Reveals Top CSEs Which online comparison shopping engine (CSE) is the best? A recent study by CPC Strategy of over 110 online retailers, 4,274,820 clicks, 82,845 orders, $1,158,604.41 in spend and $7,867,575. 91 in revenue compiled the data necessary to answer this question. The study breaks down the various elements of comparison shopping engines such as traffic and ROI for sites like Google Product Search and Amazon Product Ads and ranks CSEs by revenue, conversion rate, COS (cost divided by revenue) and average CPC (cost-per-click) rate. Which Gender Shops More Online? According to a recent study by iProspect, the majority of online shopping isn’t being done by women, particularly when it comes to luxury items.  The study reveals that 70% of affluent men both research and buy products online, and that 80% of these men are buying for themselves. Affluent men, who are defined as men with incomes of more than $100,00 annually, are also more likely to buy in bulk and shop via tablets and smartphones.  The most visited sites among affluent males? Amazon, followed closely by ESPN.com. 

May is here, and although it is still early in the month, there are plenty of ecommerce, social media, and technology happenings and events making the news. Today, we’ll take a look at the accomplishments of Miva Merchant-powered ecommerce store, Helmet City, learn more about the Flickr and YouTube attribution buttons that are now a mandatory part of Pinterest, and examine some findings from a study on the growing corporate trend of using social media as a customer service channel. Helmet City Increases Natural Search Results And Sales With The Help Of Miva Merchant And Altruik Miva Merchant-powered ecommerce store, Helmet City was recently featured by Internet Retailer as a result of their recent increases in both natural search results and overall site sales.  According to Internet Retailer, Helmet City’s sales have increased 10% from a year ago-to approximately $5 million. “We sell on Amazon.com and on comparison shopping engines, and every channel is important,” John Uyeyama, Helmet City CEO and Founder, told Internet Retailer. “But organic search was really big for us last year. It’s much bigger than selling on Amazon or comparison shopping engines; it’s the vehicle for driving traffic and revenue for us.” Something that has directly impacted Helmet City’s success, says Uyeyama, has been working with search engine optimization company Altruik.  Since the spring of 2011, Altruik has helped to better optimize and modify pages within the website, which launched last fall on the Miva Merchant platform. Go

Welcome back to another edition of Miva Merchant ecommerce news briefs. This week, we’ll examine the implications of the approaching GTLD application deadline, and take a look at what a recent study shows about brand loyalty and recognition vs. social networking popularity. GTLD Application Deadline Approaching: But Are Big Brands Applying? This Thursday, April 12, is the deadline to submit Generic Top Level Domain (GTLD) applications to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) but as a study conducted by Ad Age shows, the majority of major corporations are not planning to apply.  As we have previously reported, GTLDs have the potential to change and expand the Internet as we know it, by giving companies the ability to add personalized extensions to the ends of domain names (as in .soda or .company name.) Several companies that were expected to apply for the personalized extensions, including Canon and Facebook have yet to do so. Some companies that participated in the study stated the cost ($185,000) of the initial application fee and the ongoing costs of operation, while others, including, global and digital head of PepsiCo, Shiv Singh, believe that these new extensions may have a negative effect on existing brand loyalty. “Consumers are always going to think about first going to MountainDew.com or Pepsi.com before they think about Drink.Pepsi,” Singh told Ad Age Digital in a recent interview.  “And that’s not going to change anytime soon, and maybe not for a few years.” Once the application process closes this Thursday, ICANN will begin taking allowing brands to object to TLDs that have been applied for by others, in order to have the opportunity to protect their trademarked names, brands, and products. Who Has More Friends? Social Network Popularity Study Reveals Tech Company More Popular Than Top Social Networking Sites Who has more friends and followers, Twitter, Google or Facebook? The answer may surprise you. According to a poll from The Washington Post/ABC, the majority of Americans prefer Google over Twitter, Facebook and Apple. 82% of those surveyed rated Google most favorably, while 58% rated Facebook the most favorably.  Apple’s favorability rating was below Google but above Facebook at 74%. Twitter scored the lowest with a favorability rating of 34%. Graph courtesy of The Atlantic and The Washington Post/ABC While social networking sites are clearly very popular among most of the population, it is important to remember, as this survey points out, that when consumers are searching for product news and information, they seem to be more inclined to turn to trusted sources of information, and companies and brands that they feel a loyalty towards.  

Welcome to a new month and a new week! Today, we take a look at the possibility that Facebook users may soon be able to “Hate” as well as “Like” content online, and examine some statistics about mobile commerce and affluent consumers. Facebook “Hate” Button Coming Soon? When the Facebook “Like” button was introduced in 2010, it revolutionized the way that people share and promote online.  Now, according to TechCrunch, sources report that the possibility that a “Hate” or “Dislike” button may soon become a part of Facebook.  While there is no official confirmation, many believe that a “Hate” button could generate even more interaction and comments per day than the 2.7 billion per day currently generated by the “Like” button.  Many sources inside Facebook are in favor of the button, although there is reportedly an internal debate as to whether the button should be called the “Hate” button or the “Dislike” button.  Others, however, believe that a button that encourages either dislike or hatred would promote a negative atmosphere on the social networking site. Facebook, currently in a quiet period due to their forthcoming IPO, had no official comment. Affluent Consumers More Likely To Engage In Mobile Commerce, Less Likely To Use And Download Apps What does the average person use their smartphone for on a daily basis? Reuters reports that more affluent smartphone owners primarily use their phones for mobile commerce purchases. A recent study shows that affluent consumers, particularly those with a mean age of 52, are apparently less interested in downloading apps and games for their phones, and more interested in doing what online retailers want them to do: engage in mobile commerce. According to the study,  67 percent of affluent smartphone users have used their phone to shop for and purchase products and services online.  “As you get older and have family and significant others, aging parents, and a lot more assets and investments, you’re going to need apps for far more relevant things than playing games and chatting with your peers,”  Milton Pedraza, CEO of The Luxury Institute, the company responsible for conducting the study told Reuters. The bottom line: don’t neglect your older, and or more affluent demographic when it comes to mobile commerce.  Not only is this segment of the population only slightly less likely to own a smart phone than other demographical groups, they are clearly more likely to use their phones to make purchase online than their younger, more social-app and gaming-minded counterparts.  

Welcome to another week and another Miva Merchant ecommerce news post.  Today, we take a look at the upcoming FB Timeline roll out and what it means for your business, and examine some positive statistics about ecommerce spending and the Internet’s impact on the U.S. economy. Facebook Timeline For Business: Are You Ready? At the end of this week, all Facebook business pages will be converted to Timeline. If you have a FB business page, and haven’t taken the time to learn more about the benefits and features of Timeline, now is the time to do so. As we previously reported, there are many new features of Timeline that are designed to foster communication between brands and consumers, including the ability for fans to private message pages directly.  From a visual standpoint, the most striking feature of Timeline is the large cover photo that businesses can use to attract attention to their brand. Have you made the move to Timeline yet? If so, please feel free to share a link to your page here for everyone to see. Still have questions? You can learn more about Timeline here. Ecommerce Spending And Overall Internet Usage Increasing, Impacting US Economy How much does impact does the Internet have on the U.S. economy? Probably more than the average person realizes. According to CNN Money, the Internet contributed 4.7% of all U.S. economic activity in 2010. This translates into $684 billion, more than the contribution of the federal government. Citing a recent study conducted by Boston Consulting Group, CNN Money also reports that ecommerce made up 5% of total U.S. sales in 2010.  In the past two years, Internet usage and the popularity of ecommerce have only increased, leading many to believe that the impact of the Internet and ecommerce on the US economy this year will be significantly higher.  Boston Consulting Group, specifically, predicts that the Internet worldwide will grow approximately 10% a year through 2016. “All businesses are increasingly digital and need to think about how to take advantage of these opportunities,” said Dominic Field, a BCG partner and co-author of the report. “And for policymakers, we would hope they recognize the importance of Internet growth and making sure their countries are taking advantage of these opportunities.”  

This week, we’re working hard to get ready for our upcoming annual conference, which promises to be our best ever. We’re also keeping an eye on the latest trends, news, and statistics related to ecommerce. Today, we’ll take a look at the recent announcement concerning the release of Timeline for Facebook business pages, and the emerging prominence of Pinterest and its applications for ecommerce. Facebook To Make Timeline For Business Pages Mandatory By March 30th Beginning this week, many Facebook business pages will have a new look. Facebook Timeline, which has been available for personal profiles on the popular social networking site for a few months now, has just been released for business pages.  As with Timeline for profiles, business page admins will have the opportunity to preview their business page with Timeline, customize the look of their new page, and opt in to Timeline before March 30th, the date when all Facebook business pages will be automatically converted to Timeline.  Facebook users familiar with Timeline will likely recognize at least some of the features being called the benefits of Timeline for business pages.  These features include the ability to include a large “cover” photo in addition to a smaller profile picture,  and the Timeline interface itself.  New, brand-specific features for Timeline include the ability to “pin” posts of interest prominently to a brand’s Timeline, and a new direct-message feature, which allows brands and consumers to connect directly via Facebook messaging. New, brand-specific features for Timeline include the ability to “pin” posts of interest prominently to a brand’s Timeline, and a new direct-message feature, which allows brands and consumers to connect directly via Facebook messaging. Increase In Pinterest Usage Among Online Retailers Increases, Copyright Concerns Raised As previously blogged, many online retailers are starting to take notice of Pinterest, and membership in the digital bulletin board has grown exponentially since its private beta launch in 2010. As of this story, there are approximately 12 million Pinterest users currently.  This number represents an increase of 11 million from July of 2011, an increase that has prompted some to call Pinterest “the fastest growing site ever.” Whether this is true remains to be seen, but it is true that users are pinning and repining (similar to sharing on FB or retweeting on Twitter) images of items that they like and find interesting, and businesses are taking notice of this trend. With this astronomical rise in users and popularity however, come some concerns relating to the copyright and fair usage laws of images pinned on Pinterest. Some sites, including Flickr, have disabled the pinning function because of image copyright concerns.  In an effort to calm copyright fears, Pinterest itself recently introduced a metatag NOPIN function that keeps Pinterest users from linking or pinning images on a site to Pinterest.  As issues of copyright and fair usage laws on the Internet continue to be raised, it remains to be seen whether the success of Pinterest will be eclipsed by these issues, or strengthened by its ability to respond to them in a straightforward, manner.  For now though, it is clear that Pinterest has value both as a social networking pastime and a powerful social networking tool for retailers.  

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! In today’s ecommerce news briefs, we’ll, find out why February 14th is “like the Super Bowl” for some retailers, and examine a recent study that claims that ecommerce improves the quality of life of its shoppers. Valentine’s Day Ecommerce: “Like The Super Bowl?” How is Valentine’s Day like the Super Bowl? If you are an online retailer who specializes in flowers, candy, jewelry, and other romance-related gifts, February 14th is probably one of your biggest sales days of the year.  According to Internet Retailer, some ecommerce stores begin their Valentine’s Day planning in November, and open temporary fulfillment centers to deal with high order demand. In order to tap into the market of online Valentine-gift shoppers, and last-minute shoppers, many ecommerce stores also began offering free shipping, and other perks to their customers.  Internet Retailer reports that BlueNile.com offered free FedEx Standard Overnight shipping on all orders of $195.00 or more placed by 12:30 pm yesterday, February 13th. Several other stores mentioned in the same article offered similar promotions.   Ecommerce Improves Quality Of Life For Shoppers, Study Finds We all know that ecommerce has revolutionized the way that millions of people shop around the world, and that it is convenient and saves time, but does it improve the quality of the lives of the people who shop online? According to Website Magazine, a study conducted by Duetsche Post DHL says yes.  Of those surveyed, 44 percent of online shoppers in Germany say that ecommerce improves their quality of life by helping them to manage their time better, be less stressed, and have fun discovering and purchasing products online. The study also found that many of the shoppers surveyed enjoyed receiving the items that they had ordered in the mail, likening it to the excitement of receiving an unexpected gift. How happy are your ecommerce customers?  When it comes to the online shopping experience, it is often the little things that make the biggest difference. These can include clear and fair return policies, ease of ordering, interactive site features, and the ability to connect with a company via social media

  Have you ever shopped while intoxicated? While it may be difficult to pull this off effectively in a brick and mortar store, (think stumbling and wandering the aisles aimlessly) according to The New York Times, SWI (shopping while intoxicated) online is a rising trend.

It’s a well-known fact that human beings are impulse driven creatures, and that our inhibitions tend to break down after a few drinks. Just ask Chris Tansey of Australia, who told the NYT that he bought a $10,000 motorcycle tour of New Zealand online while intoxicated.

While Tansey later said that the New Zealand trip was “terrific,” some are quick to point out the negative consequences, namely buyer’s remorse, that can come as a result of shopping online while inebriated. 

Whether or not buyer’s remorse occurs as a result of SWI, online retailers can (and already are) use this trend to their advantage, both in terms of boosting sales and boosting customer service. 

According to the NYT, retailers like QVC and Neiman Marcus have observed the shopping patterns of so called “drunk shoppers” online and have adjusted their sales and promotions accordingly.

Offering special sales and promotions during the peak evening shopping hours of 6 and 9pm may be one way to reach this demographic, as well as sending special offers and coupons via email during this time.  If you notice that certain products seem to be purchased in large quantities at certain times, it only makes sense to respond with corresponding coupons and targeted marketing promotions.

Ecommerce merchants with upfront, hassle-free return or exchange policies might also be able to turn SWI-buyer’s remorse as an opportunity to strengthen customer relationships.

Even if someone returns something that they bought while intoxicated, (or maybe 14 of the same thing) they will likely view your site in a favorable light (and be more likely to purchase products from you in the future) if they are able to complete their turn quickly and with minimal difficulty.

Merchants, what are your thoughts?

 

Welcome to another edition of Miva Merchant Ecommerce News. Today, we’ll take a look at much-anticipated launch of Facebook Timeline, and find out why tomorrow’s fourth-annual Free Shipping Day is significant for merchant profits as well as customer wallets.

Facebook Officially Launches Timeline

After a long wait, and some litigation, Facebook officially launched their biggest redesign to date: Timeline, this morning. 

Although certain people have had access to the new profile format for a few months now, everyone can now access it, either by going to the Introducing Timeline page and clicking “Get It Now” or by waiting until the option appears on their profile page.

While many are impressed by the visually-arresting layout, some Facebook users have expressed concerns about exactly how far back their timeline will go, and whether it may reveal photos and status updates that users would just as soon forget. 

In response, Facebook has said that it will allow users to review their timelines for seven days before making them public.

So far, only Facebook profiles have the ability to switch to Timeline, and it is not clear when or if Facebook will make the new layout available for Brand Pages in the future.

Ecommerce Stores Gear Up For Free Shipping Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow, December 16th, is Free Shipping Day, a day when participating retailers will offer (you guessed it) free shipping to their customers. 

The fourth-annual event is expected to include more than 2,300 merchants, and shoppers who take advantage of the free shipping deal will also be guaranteed delivery of their purchases by Christmas Eve.

FreeShipping.org, the site responsible for organizing the promotion, says that online retail sales during last year’s Free Shipping Day totaled $942 million.

You can learn more by visiting FreeShipping.org.

 

Today, we’ll take a look at Twitter’s new look and Brand Pages feature, and what they mean for ecommerce store owners, social media, and Twitter users.  We’ll also examine two online shopping trends: couch commerce, and shopping exclusively online for gifts this holiday season.

Twitter Announces New Layout, Brand Profiles

Yesterday, Twitter officially announced the launch of Twitter brand pages, as well as a revamped version of the social media site, designed to improve the Twitter experience.

The brand pages, which are currently being used by several major companies, including McDonalds, Coca Cola, and American Express, will eventually be available to all Twitter users. 

Features include a larger header for displaying a brand image, tagline, and logos, as well as the ability to control the message that visitors see on your Twitter profile page.

While most of us will have to wait a while to create a Twitter brand page, Twitter’s other big announcement yesterday, a revamped interface with new features, is available right now to all Twitter users.

The new version includes features that have caused some to speculate that one of Twitter’s primary goals for this new interface is to appeal to Facebook and Google+ users.  The site has been organized under four labels: Home, Connect, Discover, and Me.  Website owners can also embed individual tweets on their website pages, and Tweet buttons on websites will now include specific @mentions or hashtags.

New Holiday Shopping Trend: Couch Commerce?

We’ve all heard of ecommerce, mcommerce, fcommerce, and social commerce. Now with the rise of tablet-based online shopping comes another emerging trend: couch commerce. 

What is couch commerce? Simply put, it is shopping online via a mobile phone or a tablet device, usually at home on the couch or anywhere else without using a desktop computer to complete the purchase.

As the graph below shows, online shopping via iPhones and iPads is a growing trend, and the purchases go beyond apps and downloaded movies and books to real-world, big-ticket items.

Free Shipping Leads To Increase In Number Of Online Shoppers

According the Orlando Sentinel, a growing number of consumers say that they plan to shop for holiday gifts exclusively online this year. Other than convenience, and the rise of mobile and tablet-based commerce, one reason for this trend may be the growing number of online retailers offering free shipping.

“Free shipping is one of the most important incentives that online retailers must provide during the holiday season to ensure that shoppers convert into buyers. . . consumers have come to expect free shipping,” Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore told the Sentinel. 

On December 16th many ecommerce retailers will participate in Free Shipping Day, offering shoppers the opportunity to skip shipping fees, and know that their packages will arrive by a guaranteed, before-Christmas arrival date.  Free Shipping Day, which began in 2007, has attracted national media attention, and generated an estimated $300 million in sales last year.