Access eCommerceExploring Electronic Commerce
Jane Nolan GoekenCommunity Development SpecialistIowa State University Extension
Course Objectives and Outline Part 1 – Exploring E-Commerce
Criteria for evaluating sites The Internet as a research tool
Part 2 – Planning Your Website Stages of website development Website costs and services
Part 3 – Promoting your Website Tell everyone about it All about search engines
Part 4 – Internet Business Plan Case Study
Doing Business Online
How small business use the InternetBringing your business online
Resources you can use today
Today we’ll look at…
Small Business Use of the Net Examples of How Businesses use the Net The Internet as a Research Tool Getting a Web Presence Web Design and Promotion Tips
Small Business Use of the Internet
eCommerce is all about…
Using online resources and tools to do business better
Making money and saving money online
It’s NOT always about SELLING on the Internet!
Changing Internet Statistics
Online access: 58% of American households are
connected to the Internet 16% have a broadband connectionOnline shopping: 43% of Internet users buy online 29 purchases/year Spend $95/month onlineBusinesses online: 60% of small businesses have websites
Online Resources that Small Businesses Rate as Important
Online identity 99.5%
Site interactivity 67%
Online promotions 62%
Online transactions 55%
Source: Interland 2004 E-commerce Survey
Selling Goods and Services on a Website
Websites increase sales indirectly. Stimulates customers to buy by phone, fax, e-mail or brings customers into the store
Only 24% of businesses with a web site sell directly from their sites
Source: National Federation of Independent Business
Examples of How Small Businesses Use the Internet
Businesses Use the Internet to:
Build an existing business Add value to product or service Reach distant markets Offer innovative products and services Build credibility Build brand recognition Cut operating costs Build returning customer base Leverage brick business with clicks Start a business
Reach Distant Markets
80% of business is conducted
over the Internet in a place so remote they
can’t even buy a newspaper.
www.sawbill.com
Offer Innovative Products
www.casketfurniture.com
Offer Innovative Service
www.BlackSocks.com
Start a Business
www.islandshirts.com
The most successful online businesses…
Know which web services meet the needs of their customers and are creative in using the web to attract customers.
The Internet as a Research Tool
Research Doing Business Online
Search for: New suppliers Product ideas Marketing ideas Better prices
Searching for Information
Use a directory Example: Yahoo or Google Directory
Use a search engine Use a site that indexes websites on specific
topics
Google.com
Searches 4,285,199,774 web pages
Tips for Searching
Google search results:
widget parts 268,000 “widget parts” 660 “widget parts” green 56 “widget parts” green -china 20
Research Your Competition
Is your competition across the world or next door?
Search engines are the key to finding your online competition
What can you do better, or different?
Evaluate Your Competition
Visit their websites. What are they trying to do online? What do you like or dislike? What can your company do better?
Find out how popular these sites are Google using: link:www.company.com
Getting a Web Presence
Options for Doing Business Online
Do you really need a website? Consider: Auction Websites Malls or Cooperatives Online Storefronts
Develop your own website Templates Hire a developer Do it yourself
Combine several options
Online Auctions
Niche Malls or Coops
Online Storefronts
http://store.yahoo.com
Website Templates
Web Design and Promotion Tips
Websites Should Be…
Informative Fast Easy to navigate Tidy Accessible
Promoting Your Website
Tell everyone about it
Help search engines find youTips are at www.searchenginewatch.com
Use traditional media
Viral Marketing
“Any advertising that propagates itself the way viruses do.”
Friends and relatives Customers Website visitors
Promotion ideas
GotLogos.com Café Press www.cafepress.com
Summary
Become comfortable with the Internet Decide if you really need a website Explore web hosts, online malls, auctions for
features and costs Decide which services are right for your
business to meet your customer needs Promote to every living being on the planet,
and then promote some more
For more information
www.accessE.info