While many have fretted over what appears to be the total decimation of the mom-and-pop shops under the crushing expanse of megastores and omnipresent franchises, the good news is that the oppressive business goliaths might be prime for a leveling blow. Read More

Looking back over the 10 years I’ve been working in Internet-based retail, it’s intriguing to see how the industry has progressed as technology and trends have evolved.
Retailing is easier, faster, more efficient, and products are more attractive and accessible to consumers. Read More

What with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and all the rest, the idea of using email to market to your customers seems so old school it’s pre-school. Or is it? As the authors of the just-published book The Rebel’s Guide to Email Marketing: Grow Your List, Break the Rules, and Win point out, email is far from dead as a marketing tool. Read More

Thanks to the Internet and the e-commerce marketplace, it’s clear that each of us has access and opportunity to start up a business. Yes, many will try, yet only some will succeed in building and sustaining their entrepreneurial endeavor.
If all are utilizing the same online market space, what is it that separates those who try from those who triumph? Read More

Google+ launched in June 2011, and the world watched—sort of. We say sort of because we were all too busy checking out the latest on Facebook, or tweeting, or updating our LinkedIn profiles to pay much attention. A year later, the question of whether your online business should be on Google+ is still a fair one. Read More

Pricing strategy has been a pillar of online merchandising, but what worked yesterday might not work so well tomorrow. In other words, every winning recipe needs constant monitoring and, sometimes, adjustments.
Below are some key considerations for ensuring that your tried-and-true pricing strategies remain compelling and competitive in this ever-evolving online marketplace. Read More

Selling online has opened commerce transactions to the masses. It is easier than ever for someone in Biloxi, MS, to send a ceramic plate to a collector in Sydney. With the abundance of technology choices available, these transactions are becoming easier and easier, with many people becoming savvy online sellers. Read More

When they work, trade associations are fantastic. The association’s mission is effectively promoted, its membership base is growing, and the opportunities for education and professional meetings are many.
Unfortunately, the prominent groups representing e-merchants such as the Professional eBay Sellers Alliance (PeSA) and its sister organization, the eCommerce Merchants Trade Association (ECMTA), are no longer the thriving entities they once were. Read More

As an online retailer, you have probably heard the term “remote seller” being used in various media outlets to explain online retailers in general. However, I think this term creates a lot of confusion with small-business owners who make their living selling online via the various marketplace sites (e.g., eBay, Amazon, etc.). Read More

While you’re right to ensure you’re showing great images along with clear descriptions for every item you sell online, there’s even more you can do to improve your sell-through and revenue results: It’s all in the copy writing.
The copy you use—that is, the words, phrases and style you adopt to present your items—can have tremendous impact to improve your sell-through rates, taking your business to the next level. Read More