13
Feb
Introducing “Share Your Purchase” from 3dcart
Facebook now has a billion active monthly users, creating a giant opportunity for online merchants. Now online stores using 3dcart can use this opportunity to their advantage with “Share Your Purchase,” a new feature available to all 16,000 3dcart merchants with the software’s Facebook Connect add-on.
According to Nielsen, 60 percent of consumers researching products online learn about a specific product or brand through social media, mainly Facebook. Share Your Purchase works to capitalize on this by presenting a call to action for shoppers immediately after buying, encouraging them to share their purchase with their networks over Facebook and Twitter.
The 3dcart Facebook Connect add-on was introduced in early 2012, and revolutionized the way online business leverages the power of the popular social networking service. With the Facebook Connect add-on, online stores on the 3dcart platform allow first-time and returning shoppers to automatically sign-in using their Facebook account.
The “Share Your Purchase” makes a great addition to the existing SocialCommerce tools already available to all 3dcart stores, which include built-in Blog, Facebook Store, Mobile Store, Social Bookmarking and more.
In the future we’ll be including additional functionality to Facebook Connect & Share Your Purchase, so these can integrate with the built-in loyalty program, newsletter and promotions manager.
Share Your Purchase is part of 3dcart’s Facebook Connect add-on, a tool that lets shoppers automatically sign in with their Facebook accounts. The app helps increase conversions, empower social marketing and personalize interaction between customers and the online stores they frequent.
3dcart’s Facebook Connect feature is available through the app store at http://www.3dcart.com/ecommerce-apps/facebook-connect.html
Jimmy Rodriguez+
CTO and co-founder of 3DCart, developer of an e-commerce suite for businesses of all sizes. As an authority on e-commerce best practices, Jimmy combines more than 10 years as an e-commerce developer and web programmer with SEO, social marketing and business intelligence
08
Feb
Keeping Compliant with the Changing Landscape of Internet Sales Tax
Sign up for this very educational webinar informing the audience on ecommerce basics: The webinar will cover everything you need to know on how to do sales tax right and stay compliant for your ecommerce shopping cart etc..
07
Feb
3dcart Weighs 178 Pounds Less
Congratulations Luis!
3dcart’s team decided that together we would become healthier. So starting January 7th, we began our 3dcart Weight Loss Challenge. Twenty “3dcarter’s” signed onto the challenge. We are happy to report that after week 4, 3dcart now weighs 178 pounds less.
The Weight Loss Challenge has helped us learn how to better read nutritional labels, eat healthier snacks, and most of all, how to come together as a team.
It’s been a tight battle for first place between Luis Salinas, our company’s Creative Director and Walter Quinn, Technical Support Manager. Luis has lost an amazing 7.34% of weight loss, with Walter closing in at 5.95%. Brad Sanders from our Customer Solutions team is approaching from third place, and possibly getting ready to bump Walter from his second place spot.
Congratulations to Luis, and our entire team here at 3dcart. Everyone has done an amazing job, and we’re all proud of these accomplishments!
Joe Palko+
Joe Palko is the CMO of 3dcart. Prior to joining 3dcart in 2011, Joe was a true internet pioneer co-founding his first e-commerce website in 1994 which later sold to America's largest mail order pet supply retailer in 2007. Joe also co-founded Solid Cactus in 2001, which was later sold to the Web.com Group in 2009.
04
Feb
New Store Monday
Wow it’s already February! Time to dust off this week’s version of New Store Monday & update everyone on our newest 3dcart Super Stores!
http://www.plottersuppliesuk.co.uk/
Plotter Supplies UK is a simple and easy place to source your Plotter Paper Rolls online.
Family Tradition Wreath Company is a small family owned and operated Maine wreath company located in Cutler, Maine. It has always been a family tradition to work the holiday season either making wreaths or harvesting the tips. When deciding on a company name it only made since to go with Family Tradition Wreath Company.
Dahsar Inc. has been described as selling hip, kitschy, and ironic merchandise, for example, T-shirts emblazoned with the words “Jesus” or “King of New York”. They are known for catering to “hiphop” culture and fashion, which incorporates an influence from past decades. Dahsar Inc. has established ability to understand our customers and connect with them on an emotional level will be the reason for our success. The reason for this success is that our brand… are both compelling and distinct.
Loving Home sells a little bit of everything to make you feel right at home. From the perfect frame for little Johnny’s graduation photo, to the BBQ Grill set you’ve been waiting for. They have it all!
Imprinted Possessions is a family owned business that is based in North Texas. We specialize in sterling silver and aluminum jewelry, and accessories that compliment your everyday lifestyle and special occasions. We design and assemble all of our products from start to finish, so they are all able to be customized to your liking.
LFleur’s Blooming Deals Online provides you with high-quality, brand-name electronics at a low price. With a commitment to your complete satisfaction, our Website makes it easy and affordable to browse and purchase the products that you want from the comfort of your own home.
We wondered , “Why are polarized sunglasses so outrageously priced? How many times have you dropped your expensive glasses overboard, sat on them, forgot to bring them, or just lost them. Ouch!! Well, we did the research and we developed a line of realistically priced, quality polarized sunglasses that won’t “break the bank”. We have everyone in the family covered. Great classic and trendy styles for the sportsman or the fashionista. Kids too! So, in a nut shell, this is who we are, and this is why we are. Thanks for checking out our website. To all our loyal customers, thanks for wearing Ocean Eyes sunglasses. SEA MORE!!!!!
Naughty Angel Boutique is the perfect store for any diva looking for the perfect outfit! Cardigans, Motorcycle Jackets, Leggings, & Diva Dresses are just some of the many styles they have available!
30
Jan
It Was Great Meeting You!
We want to take a minute to thank everyone who attended our Meetup at 3dcart in Fort Lauderdale last week. We had a blast and I can say for sure that we had a great time meeting the merchants who came. We will be having more Meetups just like this one in the near future.
3dcart will be at the Internet Retailer Web Design and Usability Conference in Orlando, FL – Monday, February 11 – Wednesday, February 13. If you’re attending the show, please come visit us at booth 415. Our next Meetup in Fort Lauderdale, FL will be Friday, February 22 at 4 PM. Anyone 3dcart customer, or non 3dcart customer who is interested in this session may attend. You can learn more about this Meetup here.
For those of you that don’t live or visit South Florida, don’t worry. 3dcart will still have online webinars for your convenience.
Some quotes from those who attended our meetup:
Excellent and knowledgeable team. I appreciate all the info! - S.W.
I really hope more events like this are being planned for the future. It is great to be able to bounce back ideas… A.G.
See you soon!
Joe Palko+
Joe Palko is the CMO of 3dcart. Prior to joining 3dcart in 2011, Joe was a true internet pioneer co-founding his first e-commerce website in 1994 which later sold to America's largest mail order pet supply retailer in 2007. Joe also co-founded Solid Cactus in 2001, which was later sold to the Web.com Group in 2009.
25
Jan
3dcart Partner ShipStation Now Integrates with Amazon [Infographic]
We are super excited to hear that our friends & 3dcart partner, Shipstation is now supporting Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). They’ve built the integration from the ground up to make the process as clean, simple and seamless as possible. If you already use ShipStation, you know how easy it is to fulfill your own orders through this app. Now, we can help you outsource your fulfill just as easily!
You can get the full details from our blog posting. In the meantime, here’s a handy little graphic to help illustrate the FBA process through ShipStation.
21
Jan
Search Engine Optimization Fundamentals Meetup
This Friday (January 25, 2013) from 3 PM – 5 PM, 3dcart will be hosting a “Search Engine Optimization” Meetup here in our Fort Lauderdale, FL office. Click this link to learn more about our Meetup http://www.meetup.com/3dcart/events/97674632/.
Our meetup will be in our new Training Center here in South Florida. Some of the topics we will cover are:
- The latest changes to the Google Search algorithm.
- Why social media is becoming more important than ever.
- How to leverage social media to improve your store’s organic ranking.
- The importance of correcting old “black hat” search optimization from the past.
- And more!
Light snacks and refreshments will be served. If you’re in the area, come visit us! You do not have to be a 3dcart customer to attend.
Joe Palko+
Joe Palko is the CMO of 3dcart. Prior to joining 3dcart in 2011, Joe was a true internet pioneer co-founding his first e-commerce website in 1994 which later sold to America's largest mail order pet supply retailer in 2007. Joe also co-founded Solid Cactus in 2001, which was later sold to the Web.com Group in 2009.
17
Jan
Facebook Graph Search: What Online Businesses Need To Know
This week Facebook revealed ‘Graph Search‘, a new feature that lets users search the interests, location, and preferences of your friends. For instance, a Facebook user could search for “Clothing Stores my friends like” and receive a list of Facebook business pages of clothing storess, online and retail, that their friends either checked in, liked, or recommended.
As AllFacebook.com said, “Graph search takes the recommendation power of Yelp and combines it with Facebook’s tremendous social graph to make it more important for businesses to cater to their Facebook fans and brick-and-mortar customers.”
Up until now, social search was an ideal that Google and others have attempted to foster. While Google+ offers traditional SEO value for businesses, the limited user activity & cannot provide the data context needed for social search to work. Facebook, however, has over 1 billion users, 240 billion photos and more than a trillion connections.
Facebook Graph Search is rolling out slowly. But is safe to say that social search is here.
Now here is what merchants need to do to prepare:
1) Emphasize local – Right now graph search heavily favors local brick & mortar businesses , as it works more like a Yelp than Google. However, that does not mean your online store can’t rank. Add your physical location to your business page and ask your local friends and family to all like, recommend, and check-in to your store. You can promote your store’s location further by showing your city some love and offer special shipping rates for local orders.
2) Get Liked – As Social Media Today pointed out, that graph search could make page likes more important again, as results show what friends have liked each page. Now is the time to run social contest to increase likes and up engagement.
3) Add Facebook Connect – While individual Facebook posts and Open Graph actions (like when a user connects with your store to leave a comment, post a product, or share a deal) are not included - the company says they’re coming. 3dcart merchants can easily integrate Facebook Connect to your store.
4) Sponsor Results: Advertising is going to be very much a part of Graph Search. Or as Facebook says it, ”sponsored results allow you to promote results in the search bar and will appear whether or not users have Graph Search.”
15
Jan
Beyond The Basics: How To Create Product Pages That Convert
Studies tell us that 65% of shoppers abandon their cart before purchase and the average eCommerce site converts only 2.13% of traffic to sales. Fighting your way through abandoned carts to a higher conversion rate is no small task. Every page of your site needs to usher shoppers closer to conversion, especially product pages.
The basics of an effective product pages are:
- Compelling copy - Product descriptions should be detailed, non-generic, and list benefits, not just features
- Quality Product Photos – Photos should be clean, high-quality and offer a multitude of angles
- Call To Action – An easy-to-read call to action should be prominently featured
While those elements are essential to an effective product page, there are many other ways you can set your store a part and increase conversions.
Beyond The Basics: How To Create Product Pages That Convert
Prominently Display Shipping Costs:
Zales informs customers on shipping time & offers free shipping on purchases over $149
Informed customers are confident customers. Don’t make customers anxious about shipping rates and times – inform them upfront by prominently placing shipping information in your product pages.
Free shipping goes a long way in increasing conversions, but it is important to weigh the pros and cons to decide if free shipping is for you. A great way to increase your store’s average order value is to offer free shipping over a certain amount. Flat rate shipping is also another great option. Flat rates are easy to understand and eliminate surprises.
Scared to display your international shipping rates for fear of scaring away customers?
High shipping rates will scare away some customers. However, it is much better for a customer to leave your product page because they didn’t want to pay your actual shipping rates, than it is for a customer,that would be happy to pay your rates, leave the page for the fear of the unknown.
See Also:
Can You Make Free Shipping Work for Online Store?
Cost Of Free Shipping
Remove Guesswork By Providing Sizing Information:
Often, online retailers burry their sizing charts in “about us”, “FAQ” or other pages, but that is not where the information is the most useful. Give customers the information they need, where they most need it – on the product pages.
Offer sizing guidelines and conversion charts to avoid refunds and unhappy customers.
Establish Trust By Listing Customer Reviews:
Build trust with your customer by allowing shoppers to post reviews of the products and of your company.
Athletica shows a useful summary of customers reviews findings
See Also:
Boost your SEO with customer reviews
Promote Customer Photos:
FreePeople displays customer's Instagram photos on product pages
Models and product photos are great, but seeing the product in-use by a real customer can reassure potential buyers the product that will arrive at their door is as great as the product photos on your site.
Don’t have user-submitted photos?
Hold a contest encouraging previous customers to take pictures of your product in use and upload to Facebook, Instagram and other social sites for a prize. Make sure you are up-front with all the entrees that submissions could be used on your site. Most customers won’t mind and often many are flattered to be featured!
Include Useful Product Advice:
Including useful product information like styling, cleaning, and best use tips allow the customer to feel more educated about the product and helps them to picture themselves wearing, using, or integrating the product into their lives.
JCREW offers customers styling advice on each product, and even goes far enough to offer PERSONAL style advice!
Use Daily Deals To Create Urgency:
Daily deals add urgency to your offer and let shoppers know they should act while they can. Furthermore, by constantly updating the type of deal that is offered and posting a new deal at regular intervals, your shoppers will get into the habit of checking your site often to see what the new offering is.
3dcart has a great free daily deal feature that all merchants should utilize to increase a shoppers sense of urgency. Make sure to prominently display the normal retail price and the amount of discount you are offering.
See also:
Five Reasons Why Online Stores Should Run Daily Deals
Give Customers Peace Of Mind With Free Returns:
Nordstrom reassures customers with an easy return policy on all product pages
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Free returns are crucial for customers to feel confident purchasing online, especially for a customer’s first purchase on your store. It is especially crucial for all etailers as fit and style come into play with garments and accessories.
Allow customers to give your brand a try without fear.
Encourage Large Orders With A Buy more, Save More Discount:
Offer a discount on orders over a certain amount to encourage shoppers to fill up their carts.
Show-off Your Products With Product Videos:
Using video demos of items increased sales for Zappos between 6% and 30%. Include video content to show your product in real-life, offer tips, answer common questions, and express the benefits/uses of your product.
See also:
8 Tips For Making An Effective Product Video
eCommerce Video: Tips for Effective Product Videos
13
Jan
Internet Retailer’s 2013 Web Design & Usability Conference
Come Visit 3dcart at Internet Retailer’s 2013 Web Design & Usability Conference. A Special Discount for 3dcart Merchant – Get $100 Off Registration to IRWD
Drawing customers into your online store is step one. What happens when they get there?
That depends on whether or not your website is designed with your customer in mind. Web design and usability are crucial parts of selling online, and that’s just what Internet Retailer’s upcoming conference is all about.
The 2013 IRWD Conference is an event focused on helping businesses like yours turn more of your traffic into customers. It’s crucial for us here at 3dcart to stay on top of new developments in the world of ecommerce design, so naturally, we’ll be in attendance. But we’d love to see a few of you at the event, too, and we’re making it easier and less expensive for you to join us.
As a 3dcart customer, you’re entitled to an exclusive deal. Contact marketing@3dcart.com for $100 off registration to the 2013 IRWD Conference.
We’ve partnered with Internet Retailer to make this discount possible. Group registrants (3 or more) are entitled to an even larger discount: 25% off each pass. Again, email us for more information.
The Internet Retailer Web Design & Usability Conference takes place February 11-13 at the Omni Orlando Resort in Orlando, FL. Here’s a quick description of the event from the IRWD website:
“Our agenda includes Keynote and Featured Speaker addresses that will reveal how to enable shoppers to easily navigate your site while keeping your brand image strong. Other speakers will discuss how to identify and overcome usability challenges, how to best incorporate mobile into a site design even if most of your customers are still coming from PCs, how to prioritize a redesign, how to tap into the global market, how to organize your e-commerce team for design success, how to create content that consumers relate to, and more. The conference also includes plenty of the popular live site critiques in which experts analyze sites volunteered from the floor.”
You can find 3dcart at the 2013 IRWD Conference at Booth #415. If you’re already planning to attend, be sure to stop by and say hello!
Jimmy Rodriguez+
CTO and co-founder of 3DCart, developer of an e-commerce suite for businesses of all sizes. As an authority on e-commerce best practices, Jimmy combines more than 10 years as an e-commerce developer and web programmer with SEO, social marketing and business intelligence