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Some notes on some trends (Small Business E-commerce Link Digest – August 13, 2010)

by Tim on August 13, 2010

Seth Godin has a great post today looking at how trends – not events – change business. So, I thought it would make sense to look at some trends that are changing businesses today. Here’s what’s out there:

One trend that’s changed many businesses is the use of a company blog. And Mashable has a list of 15 excellent corporate blogs you can learn from to make your blog better. Don’t have a blog? Then check out the thinks series, “How to Build Your Small Business Blog” here.
Social media certainly seems like a trend whose time has come. For instance, Facebook – with its half-a-billion members – expects almost $1.3 billion in ad sales this year. That’s billion, with a “B”. But social is a double-edged sword for many businesses as customers increasingly use social to bash brands (often, deservedly). Fortunately, Mashable also has great tips for how to deal with complaints on Twitter.
Andy Beal on Marketing Pilgrim offers the top 10 infographics every marketer should bookmark detailing a number of trends, including mobile and social.
And, finally, for a trend we’ve asked about, too, check out Pete Blackshaw’s thoughts on whether you should get rid of your website.

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Tagged as: social, social marketing, Social Media, social media marketing, social network, social networking, social networks, social strategy, trends

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Mobile, mobile and more mobile (Small Business E-commerce Link Digest – July 30, 2010)

by Tim on July 30, 2010

in Marketing, Mobile, del.icio.us links

I spent most of the past week on the road – sorry for the lighter-than-normal posting. But it did give me a chance to spend some quality time with my new Droid X phone. Which I love.

Big time.

The Droid isn’t quite an iPhone killer. But it’s a seriously cool device. And the more time you spend with an advanced mobile device – an Android phone, an iPhone, an iPad – the more you can’t help but realize how important mobile is today and how much more important it will become in the future.

But, do you know what you should do about mobile for your customers?

No?

That’s OK. These links will help you sort it out:

I realize it’s a little geekier than my normal links, but this mobile web optimization guide from Opera offers a strategic look at how you can address mobile users’ needs. Its basic premise opens with this great advice:

“The mantra for cross-device development is: one site for all is the ideal but it’s not always possible. Whichever strategy you adopt, there is one vital point to remember:

Mobile users are task-focused users. And so are all users.” (emphasis mine)

Any guide that starts “focus on your users” is a good one in my book, which makes this well worth the read.
Another somewhat geeky look at mobile strategy, one with more of a technology focus, comes courtesy of eWeek. But, their 7 steps to a highly effective mobile strategy is also worth a look, if only to help you assess potential vendors.
SocialBeat looks at Facebook’s mobile strategy, which is notable because, according to the article, “…150 million users now access Facebook through phones and that mobile devices are fueling its more recent growth globally.” 150 million?!? Um… that’s not just big. That’s BIG.
Once you head down the mobile path, take a look at this great look at mobile home page navigation from the wonderful Linda Bustos.
Retailer American Eagle seems to have some ideas about mobile. They’re giving away free smartphones to their customers for trying on a pair of jeans. Seriously. And the company is giving users an opportunity to download a direct link to the AE mobile site to those brand-spankin’ new, free smartphones, too. Maybe it’s not just the phones that are smart.
And, finally, Adam Small looks at how you can incorporate mobile into your outdoor marketing (really, you could apply similar techniques to print, as long as you consider what happens if someone spots the ad long after your campaign ends).

That’s probably enough “light reading” to get you through the weekend. But look at it this way: You can even read these on the beach. Or, at least you can if you’ve got the right mobile device. Just like your customers.

Full Disclosure: The links to Amazon above contain my affiliate ID, for which I receive compensation for sales on Amazon. I purchased my Droid X phone directly from my mobile phone carrier at full retail price and am not compensated by Motorola or the carrier in any way.

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E-commerce, e-commerce, e-marketing, Facebook, facebook, getelastic, marketing, mobile, online marketing

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Tagged as: Facebook, Mobile, mobile internet, mobile marketing, mobile search, mobile web

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When social meets e-commerce (Small Business E-commerce Link Digest – July 23, 2010)

by Tim on July 23, 2010

in E-commerce, Social Media, del.icio.us links

Just a quick write-up this week, with a look at some of the best e-commerce and social tips out there.

Old-time Friend Of Thinks GrokDotCom returns returns to the list with some fast ways to optimize your site for “scent.”
Another old friend – GetElastic – stops by with an overview of how to get your online business ready for the holidays now.
GetElastic also offers a great overview A/B testing.
It’s no secret how big a fan I am of testing, but Kevin Hillstrom calls out one problem with automated A/B testing tools that’s worth checking out.
One thing you might want to test are subject lines on your emails. Steve Rubel has a great idea for applying social skills to your email copy.
And, just in case you’re still thinking social is a passing fad, take a look at this article from AARP on whether social is good for your small business. This is AARP we’re talking about here. Oh, and AARP’s got another one about Twitter and Facebook.
Speaking of Facebook, MediaPost is saying that people are leaving Facebook in droves. They can’t be leaving that fast, since Facebook just announced that they’ve now got 500 million members.
Finally, David Armano has some insights into how you can measure the effectiveness of your social efforts. David’s using these techniques to judge media campaigns, but there’s no reason you couldn’t apply them to your business.