Then I tell them, having a website does not only mean that they just need to go with the flow.  Having a website actually is a means of advertising over the internet which is being used todate by 1.1B people worldwide.  That they need to use it as a part of their marketing strategy.

Now, the question is, is their website a “decorative” one? Or a “functional” one?

Yes, it should be your online showroom. But your website should be more than that.  It should be able to lower your cost of sales, increase your profits by helping you manage your inventories better, and enable you to manage your customer data base thru newsletters/email marketing  - anytime, anywhere!

For a website to be functional, it should at least have the following Online Catalogue Features:

•  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 include:
o Customer Data
o Customer address
o Inquiry History
o Inquiry Carts
o Best Viewed Products

You get all of these and more when you sign up for an AnnexStore Package .

An effective website will definitely compliment your business.

Mabuhay!

We participated in the recently concluded International Food Expo and Bio-Search Trade Fair (May 18-20) at the World Trade Center. Unlike before, each exhibitors’ “selling” or “retail” area was held in the other part of the venue. Thus, giving the serious buyers more space and the exhibitors, more focus in attending to their clients seriously.

It turned out to be a great fair for us, being able to get more serious leads and closing schedules for demonstration. Ely , Armin, Joey and I were there for 3 days, introducing ourselves to the exhibitors, working our way to fit in their schedules in between entertaining guests.

And, while they were entertaining their guests, we were able to observe (and get to eat and drink!) at the retail area! 

Comparing it to our stint at the Manila Fame, discussing eCommerce with the people from the food industry was a welcome respite. Most knew and believed in the importance of having an effective website and in being able to market it well.

Oh, and the signal from Airborne Access was better! Well, it probably helped that their booth was just beside ours. He he he.. And oh yes, being able to use a free wifi access which is worth P100 per hour!

Aileen was a few booths from us. The Google Lady was very much a “lady” on the first day, and transformed to a Google “girl” the last two days. 

Our station was just in front of the buyers lounge so we got to see “pretty” and “handsome” sights alright.

Well, congratulations to all the exhibitors of the IFEX and BioSearch Fair! The Philippines needs more businessmen and entrepreneurs like you to fuel the econom! And to my colleagues at the AnnexStore ! And see you all at the next IFEX and BioSearch Fair!

Mabuhay!

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

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!

Specific requirements such as these are what we can do for you. Annexstore e-commerce design solutions can surely help businessmen and entrepreneurs set up custom online stores easily and hassle-free.

Some users, however, prefer a human side to their businesses. The social interaction could give a simple element of trust. Being able to speak to someone, on a telephone, can make problems easier to solve. It helps clear up a lot of issues on the onset and can even make the e-commerce system customized for the client’s needs.
For your custom e-commerce development work, try AnnexStore.

Most of our clients have opted for a simple inquiry system. Basically, their clients can browse through catalogues of products, select certain products that are placed in an inquiry folder. Once done, the folder contents are emailed to the website admin - usually the sellers themselves.

There are a few who’ve gone FULL e-commerce, with a shopping cart system and payment gateway - the international ones. The Philippine local market is still hesitant on these new technologies.

PFE’s BrushArt™ website will become a case study for the application of E-commerce in International Export crafts. The Internet as a new marketing channel has always been considered by Philippine businessmen. A practical and profitable application of web-commerce could potentially create more income.

BrushArt™ is a trademark of Philippine Finecrafts Export (PFE), a trading company owned by Englishman Paul Holme. Paul is originally from London , and is the designer and, through PFE, the sole distributor of the BrushArt™ line.

Two days later the item arrives. He pays the courier who delivers the item to him.

How many other online stores can give you this capability? Soon, AnnexStore will offer this service.  Those who signup early can get a ‘preview’ of the system.

What are you waiting for? Sign-up to AnnexStore today!