eTailers: Got Free Shipping?

If you sell online or ship items from your store to customers, do you offer free shipping?

There is a growing trend for e-Tailers to offer free shipping, not just on special occasions or seasons, but ALL the time. Think about it. How many times do you shop online and put things in your cart only to bail at checkout because the shipping and/or handling costs have added too much to your total order? I know I have!

Think this is only for big companies? Think again. As a small business, we must do everything we can to "keep up" with the way big companies do business. Customers come to expect a certain big store experience whether shopping online or in your store. And they ARE comparing you to the big stores, whether you know it or not. They're walking through your store comparing prices, deciding to buy with you or deciding it's worth the drive to a large retail store to save a few bucks.

While you may not be able to convince all your customers not to shop at bigger stores, try to do what you can to sway their buying decision in your favor.

What ways can you shave costs so that you can affordably offer free shipping?

Can you offer free shipping to your local area? Beyond? 

I know an eTail business who offers free shipping worldwide. This particular business ships small items that don't weigh much. So it was an easy decision. They don't sell at retail locations, but occasionally sell at shows. When they see customers who just can't quite pull the trigger to buy something, they are handed a card and are told "you can buy it later for the same price since we offer free shipping". Smart business! LEAVE NO MONEY ON THE TABLE! Brainstorm ways you can offer free shipping, today!

Ciao for now, Paula

Mobile Commerce: Amazon's version of a tablet

In August a lightning strike fried my computer hard drive and my wireless modem, forcing me to fast-forward my decision to buy a new computer. Each time my husband has to patch my hard drive, he reminds me that I need a new one. He's graciously lending me his home computer, so I've bought some time to make a decision...PC, laptop, tablet, or a combo? There are SO many choices that I'm not even sure where to begin!

I really think I'll go laptop with a docking station for working at home. That way when I'm traveling, I'll simply unplug and go. But which brand??? Apple? Sony? Toshiba? HP? Dell? Yikes.

Then I thought, maybe I can make a desktop and a tablet work. But have you seen the price of these babies?! I knew the iPad was big bucks, but Samsung's Android-powered Galaxy Tab is no bargain either at approximately $565. That cost is prohibitive for me. Like you, I have a budget to stick to. I want to get the best possible solution for the least amount of money. Not cheap; quality at a good price.

In the fast-paced evolution of the tablet world, Amazon plans on launching the Kindle Fire, it's version of a tablet, on November 15, just in time for holiday sales.

Amazon Kindle Fire

 image copyright Amazon

®

While it's not the iPad, it's going to be hard to beat at $199. It will have only 8 megabytes of memory compared to iPad's 16 (basic version) and it's about 1/2 the size of the iPad at 7". But, Fire connects to Amazon Cloud, the web hosting service where Kindle owners can store all their digital content at no cost. Apple charges a monthly fee. With the low initial investment and no monthly fees to store digital content, Amazon will be a contender in the market for mobile digital content.

In other Kindle news, Amazon has reduced the price for the basic Kindle e-reader to $79, introduced Kindle Touch, a $99 touch-screen version of the basic Kindle, and debuted the Kindle Touch 3G, which adds 3G wireless connectivity to the basic Wi-Fi offering, for $149. Best Buy will sell all four new Kindles this holiday season.

Read the full article about the Amazon Kindle Fire at Internet Retailer:
Mobile Commerce - Amazon aims to set the tablet world on Fire - Internet Retailer

Amazon, Kindle, iPad, and Samsung are all registered trademarks.

The Scoop on New Facebook Changes

Here's the scoop on the newest changes that Facebook has rolled out this week. It's not over yet...there is much more to come!

Prepare Yourselves: Facebook To Be Profoundly Changed

Online Retail News: Internet Security, Fraud

This week's top news stories from Internet Retailer:

• An online arms race rages between attackers and defenders
• Retailers have to be on guard
• Consumers like free computer security tools
• Social media and mobile devices present security threats
• Retailers can't relax when it comes to fraud—especially around the holidays

Debit Card Fees Drop on October 1

image courtesy of zedomax.com

Many e-retailers* are not aware that the Fed (US) will drop debit card fees starting on October 1. According to a recent survey published on September 9 by IRNewsLink, the Fed will be capping the debit interchange at 21 cents per transaction plus .05% of the transaction amount.
*You are an e-retailer if you have a brick-and-mortar store AND you also sell online, or if you sell strictly online.

What does this mean for you? It may be wise to begin steering online customers away from using credit cards, which will cost more than accepting debit cards.

You'll have to weigh the benefits and judge consumer reaction if you decide to entice customers to use debit instead of credit. How much impact will depend on your transactions specifics like the percentage of debit vs. credit cards and the average sale amount. As a buyer, I'm more inclined to use my credit card since I'm protected against any fraudulent charges. If I use my debit card, I risk my bank account being drained if it's stolen!

If you decide you want customers to use more debit than credit, try what some e-tailers are planning to do:

• offer a discount for using a debit card
• if a customers uses debit, give your savings to a local charity
• have a note during checkout that states "using debit instead of credit helps keep our prices lower"
• begin to offer alternative payment options like PayPal, Google Checkout, or WorldPay.

The more payment options you can offer, the better. Less reasons to bail at checkout means more dollars in your pocket. And the fees may average out overall; you may not need to make any big changes. But it's worth a look to see if your business can benefit by this fee reduction.

The Internet Retailer Online Payments Table graphic from the survey.