Posts By Jasmeet Sawhney
Price Consistency Across Channels – Absolutely Important! – Retail Spokes Blog
I recently got my hands around a report from Forrester Analyst Sucharita Mulpuru titled “Higher Prices In Your Stores: OK Or Not? How Consumers React When Store And Web Prices For An Item Differ”.
In today’s socio-economic environment, it is common sense that shoppers are increasingly frugal and aware of their options when it comes to opening up their wallets. Retailers understand this trend and have come to realize that this is not a recession specific phenomenon. We may be out of recession, but shopper attitudes have not changed. Almost everyone shops around and compares prices across different channels. This has led to a rush towards consistent multi-channel experience.
But, this Forrester report paints a completely different picture. It suggests that having different prices across channels is not an issue, and retailers should rather focus on things that are more important!?!?
Facebook – Pro-User Claims and Reality – Retail Spokes Blog
When Facebook executives talk about user privacy issues and control over content, it is apparent that user’s interests are their top priority. But, it turns out their actions are nowhere near public statements that they make. After massively faltering with Beacon, it seems Facebook has learned the art of deception. They have learned that an average user wouldn’t care about their practices as long as they can avoid negative buzz. They effectively do this by consistently claiming they are pro-user. An average Facebook user is sold on those ‘void’ claims.
I would highlight 3 changes that are already in effect, or are in the pipeline that show Facebook’s actual intentions:
via Facebook – Pro-User Claims and Reality | Retail Spokes – Online Retail Focused Content Solutions.
Top 5 Facebook Pages Series (Brands) – Retail Spokes Blog
Along with good design and layout, it is important for brand pages to have great content that drives conversations and social interactions. Unlike retailers, most brands do not offer any coupons or promotions making it even more important to have quality content. I have come across hundreds of Facebook pages, but these 5 brands stand out for excellent design, engaging content, and social features that draw millions of Likes.
via Top 5 Facebook Pages Series – Brands | Retail Spokes – Online Retail Focused Content Solutions.
Top 5 Facebook Pages Series (Retailers) – Retail Spokes Blog
There is no denying the fact that social media has quickly become a top priority for most marketers. According to eMarketer, four in five US businesses with at least 100 employees will take part in social media marketing in 2011. According to the same report, social media ranked third among areas marketers planned to focus their online marketing budget in 2011, after search and their own website.
As the stakes get higher, it has become increasingly important to effectively measure ROI. But, social media ROI measurement is still in its infancy. Very few marketers are successful in determining the true ROI from this channel. But, regardless of ROI conundrum, no marketer can afford to sit on the fence and wait until it’s too late. You have to get your feet wet and understand how this channel works. This takes time and there is no silver bullet that will make your social media campaigns successful overnight. Your social marketing needs and objectives are unique and they require a custom approach that can only be developed over a period of time.
via Top 5 Facebook Pages Series – Retailers | Retail Spokes – Online Retail Focused Content Solutions.
Facebook eCommerce Solutions – Retail Spokes Blog
In the retail world, there is a lot of hype about Facebook integration. Social media marketing, in general, has become an essential component of the marketing mix for most eCommerce marketers. But, are there any good Facebook eCommerce solutions available to serve that need? I was asked this question by a friend who runs a small eCommerce operation selling musical instruments. I thought I’ll provide a list of solutions I’ve recently come across in this blog. These are listed in no specific order.
via Facebook eCommerce Solutions | Retail Spokes – Online Retail Focused Content Solutions.
Why Is e-Commerce Such a Hot Area In Venture Capital Now? – Posted On Quora
For years, there was little innovation in eCommerce (both in technology and business model). Online price comparisons was the biggest (and pretty much only) value-add for consumers for many years.
This has changed in the last 3-4 years – think Social Commerce, Group Shopping, Private Sales, Open Source Technologies, Effectiveness of Marketplaces and Mashups to name a few. All this has led to great shopping experiences.
Then there are other factors – market growth and potential (only about 6% of retail is online, but influences about 80% in most segments), more and more consumers are comfortable shopping online, capital efficiency of setting up a business, easy (and relatively) immediate validation of business models, and still a huge potential for improvements on all ends – customer experience, supply chain, shipping & handling.
It is not hard for anyone to notice this potential. For VCs, well, it is their bread & butter!
- JASMEET SAWHNEY
via (61) Why is e-commerce such a hot area in venture capital now? – Quora.
Bing’s Content Dilemma – Retail Spokes Blog
As shoppers become skilled at online shopping, eCommerce sites have to find new ways to keep them interested in their offerings. Any initiative to solve that puzzle starts with content, and effective experiences can only be created with integrated analytics. Understanding user’s context and deriving intelligence from actions is an integral part of the mix. Here are some benefits of content enrichment when combined with analytics:
via Bing’s Content Dilemma | Retail Spokes – Online Retail Focused Content Solutions.
E-Commerce: Is It a Good Practice To Require The User To Login In Order To See The Product Price? – Posted On Quora
It is not a good idea. Extra click/login can turn away shoppers unless they are so hooked on and are convinced that there is a substantial incentive to login. This happens rarely (mostly with bigger players).
-JASMEET SAWHNEY
What Are Some Examples Of Wonderfully Designed eCommerce Sites? – Posted On Quora
http://www.barnesandnoble
.com
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com
http://www.moosejaw.com
http://www.rei.com/
http://www.gilt.com/sale/men -JASMEET SAWHNEY
While it’s common knowledge that Amazon.com performs well, are there any new startups that have introduced novel or just plain attractive features?
via (60) What are some examples of wonderfully designed ecommerce sites? – Quora.
E-Commerce: What’s a Typical Conversion Rate For Online Retailers? – Posted On Quora
via (60) E-Commerce: What’s a typical conversion rate for online retailers? – Quora.