tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924407113986458570.post6867335672431624520..comments2023-06-25T11:16:11.894-04:00Comments on The Savvy Seller: 10 Ways Small eCommerce Sellers Can Compete with the Big GuysMarlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09187978306252470299noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924407113986458570.post-65900429611124634152009-11-08T21:36:57.013-05:002009-11-08T21:36:57.013-05:00@Rob
Great points. On your first, bottom line is ...@Rob<br />Great points. On your first, bottom line is certainly test and optimize. My experience holds the 3 steps true even with a study from 2 years ago.<br /><br />As for free shipping, you touched on a great debate for which my two suggestions really counter each other. Many believe Shopping engines are all about pure, direct performance; that is, Clicks to conversion = ROI, without looking at the bigger picture. I that case, optimizing to the CSE (Comparison Shopping Engine) makes sense. On the other hand, the shopping engine is just one channel in your arsenal and the free shipping impact to your overall conversion rate might (might) be worth more.Paul O'Brienhttp://seobrien.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924407113986458570.post-66690971605946076752009-11-07T13:27:13.826-05:002009-11-07T13:27:13.826-05:00It's a good top 10 list, but I'll disagree...It's a good top 10 list, but I'll disagree with a few...<br /><br />"<b>Simplify Checkout</b>" - I do not think 3 is the optimal number of steps. The blog you link to was from 2007, and the sampling was quite small. I personally believe (after 13+ years as an ecommerce hosting provider) that TWO steps is optimal. Step 1 is the cart with shipping, tax, items, etc... Step 2 is checkout with address and payment. That seems to convert the best for our clients.<br /><br />"<b>Offer Free Shipping</b>" - I agree this can be helpful for more sales, but higher product prices to offset free shipping can cause comparison shopping engine users to not find your products in the first place.<br /><br />A good compromise is to offer free shipping if the customer spends $XX at the store. This can help drive up the overall sales totals per order, which can help offset free shipping.<br /><br />The biggest advantage a small merchant has can be in customer service. Be personal, send a free gift, hand-written note, follow up email/phone call, and make the customer feel like they are important, even if they just bought a pencil. That kind of feeling is viral.<br /><br />Rob - LexiConnRob Mangiaficohttp://www.lexiconn.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924407113986458570.post-81283359703157743462009-11-07T10:23:30.372-05:002009-11-07T10:23:30.372-05:00Great Ideas Marlene - Thanks!
Beth Chekrowsky
ANT...Great Ideas Marlene - Thanks!<br /><br />Beth Chekrowsky<br /><a href="http://www.antiquedaze.com" rel="nofollow">ANTIQUEDAZE</a>The DSRS of our liveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08036305227605495092noreply@blogger.com