Annex Store

I believe our craftsmen have come a long way over the past 30 years, in product design, quality and materials innovation. I make it a point to regularly visit Manila F.A.M.E International exhibits and have witnessed our exporters’ commitment to excellence. I’m also impressed by the variety of our beautiful indigenous materials and the way that our craftsmen experiment with new ways to use them.

Looking back to the 70’s, when our handicrafts were often dismissed as having a “boondocks” look, they were usually simply made of unrefined native materials. However, with the tremendous improvements recently made in quality and design, buyers are now prepared to pay considerably more for our ingenuity, for our world-class products.

“Philippines as the Milan of Asia”, applies in many respects. Our craftsmen have established an international reputation by their commitment to excellence, perseverance, hard work and courage to continue in developing the quality craftsmanship. To remain competitive and to differentiate ourselves we must always continue to raise the quality of our design, materials and finish.

Is being the best in design, the best in quality, the best in craftsmanship and the best in originality enough? I believe we have to be innovative in marketing as well. The challenge now is to provide your customers an excellent online overview of your products. Your online catalog must display your creations very attractively for you to be competitive.

My perspective is that it is essential that exporters websites include an easily navigated product catalog with which customers can browse through your product details. Be aware that your customers expect great graphics, and clear crisp in focus photos with thumbnails that can expand to large image. I suggest that you visit www.pfebrushart.com as an example of the point I make here. This product catalog allows Paul Holme to easily update the list of brush art products. Don’t you think these will help Paul’s product sell internationally?

These are the things that I suggest you look for in a website:

• Multiple layouts. Make sure the catalog you use has the type of catalog layouts to make your products look their best. If you’re selling very visual product fashion accessories, home décor, and furniture for example, it’s better to use thumbnail images – that expands to larger images as your layout option, allowing your customers to scan through your products more easily.

• Product options. If you’re going to sell products with variable colors, sizes, etc, make sure the catalog allows you to create an options list for your products. If you’re selling jewelry, for example, you could offer the same product in different colors, sizes and materials.

• Product Search Function – your buyer should be able simply enter Product Code and Model in the search bar. And find exactly what they are looking for.

• Inquiry Basket – make it easy for your buyer to click all the products they are interested in and then easily send inquiry on prices, required minimum order, shipping, availability and others. These will make it easy for your prospective buyer to send questions that is essential to generate new markets.

• Password-protected Administrative Section - where you can easily change and add product information – narrative, photos and pricing. You will as well be able to view here all your customer information and sales data.

• A Customer Database – this is an important function of the online catalogue. Your website a database backend where you can easily scan through your customer information, including their inquiries. This will make it particularly easy for you to deliver fast service to your regular customers.

• You should have a Core set of inquiry and sales-related reports that can be viewed and easily printed. These reports should include:

• Customer Data
• Customer address
• Inquiry history
• Inquiry Carts
• Product reviews by customers
• E-mail notifications
• Best Viewed Products

I hope these perspectives will help you sell more. I’m going to be in our AnnexStore/Amphil Tech booth in PICC Forum at this month’s Manila FAME trade fair. I’d like to invite all who may want to discuss their online needs to come and have a cup of coffee with me! You can reach me at 09186423585 or send me an email at rose@annexstore.com

We’ve heard about it, read about it, eCommerce is happening but some merchants are just not sure how it works.

Do they really understand what eCommerce mean? Let’s start with answering this question then.

eCommerce is simply the buying and selling of goods, services and/or transfer of funds through digital communications. One of which is, through the internet.  You see, your business has been engaged in eCommerce even without it having a website.  Fax, mobile and email transactions are eCommerce practices. By these, eCommerce really works.

Now, moving forward, having a website is another form of eCommerce. Does it really work? I’ll answer that by citing the following benefits:

* Expand Geographical Reach
If your business is seen online, it has the ability to acquire customers across the country and around the world.

* Expand Customer Base
By providing your customers different buying options, your business can attract and retain customers that may have never purchased from you.

* Increase Visibility
Consumers are increasingly searching for information on the internet prior to making a purchase. Your business should be seen online.

* Provide Customers valuable information about your business
Easy to find contact information, store hours, product information, and answers to common questions all add to creating a positive customer experience.

* Business is open 24/7
Yes, your customers can purchase products from you at 3:00 AM when you are asleep.

* Build Customer Loyalty
Technology can provide the means to create an effective, automated customer retention program.

* Reduction of Marketing and Advertising Costs
Internet marketing can be highly targeted to your specific customer; it is more effective and provides a higher return on investment than traditional media advertising.

* Collection of Customer Data
eCommerce by the very nature of the transactions, automatically collects valuable customer data and relates purchases to that customer. You can leverage this information to increase future sales from your customers.

Yes, eCommerce really works. Having a website, a working one that is, will compliment your traditional business. Make your presence be felt in the web and take advantage of the business opportunities from the world wide web. Check out Annex Store now!