For those new to the world of ecommerce, understanding commonly used terminology can help to demystify the process of getting started. Ecommerce, or selling on the internet, requires having a place where sales occur, getting customers to that place, and closing the sale.

In ecommerce, the “place” customers shop is the website, sometimes called the storefront. A commerce server is the software that controls the appearance and functionality of the website.

Common marketing practices include advertising the storefront on other websites, using search-driven services such as Google AdWords, creating information-packed email publications called ezines, and opt-in newsletters, which require potential customers to request the information.

When customers click on the link in a newsletter, ezine, or ad, they are taken to a landing page. Each new visitor counts as a page impression, or hit. Tracking these numbers gives the etailer an idea of how effective their marketing efforts are.

Items positioned above the fold are those that appear in the part of the web page that first shows up when the storefront is loaded. In etailing, it is common practice to use this prime position to promote those products or services that the company most wants to customers to see.

When customers visit the storefront, cookies are deposited in their computers. These small files track the customer’s preferences. For example, cookies record what pages have been visited and what products have been placed in the customer’s shopping cart.

The shopping cart is the software that tracks items the customer selects for purchase, calculates the sales total, and collects payment information. This software can be incorporated into the storefront and managed by the etailer, or into a separate program that etailers contract an independent party to maintain and host.

When a customer takes action to purchase, this is called a conversion. High conversion rates are as important as page impressions, so etailers strive to make their websites easy to use and often offer customers incentives for completing the purchase.

Offering multiple payment options is one way to make the process easier for customers. Etailers typically accept payment via PayPal (an online funds transfer service), by credit cards, and through echecks which take funds directly from the customer’s checking account.

Customer relations management (CRM) refers to all practices and procedures the etailer uses to ensure a positive experience for customers. This can include providing live support or a toll-free number, sending confirmation and thank-you emails following a purchase, offering a fair and efficient return and refund policy, and maintaining contact after the purchase to encourage repeat business.

Like any new field, ecommerce has its own language and culture. Understanding the vocabulary removes the confusion and frees etailers to become more effective in their marketing and sales efforts.

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The internet has become an invaluable marketing tool for virtually any product or service, so much so that many people first make the decision to start an online business, then consider what items to offer for sale. There are a number of approaches that can be considered, and the options are not limited to offering merchandise alone.

Merchants who choose to sell a selection of products use their website as an online catalog and order-taking center. Software, books and music top the list of most widely purchased products through online venues.

Things to keep in mind while deciding what products to offer include size and weight, which will affect shipping; durability of the product, since fragile or perishable items also present shipping challenges; and the existing supply and demand in the market.

Rather than produce a product of their own, some business owners choose to act as a broker or distributor for products produced by another individual or company. Crafters and other artists often seek such channels through which to sell their wares. Other venues for obtaining products include trade shows, wholesalers, and local businesses that would like a wider customer base.

Services can also be sold over the internet. In fact, the web offers a convenient, cost-effective way for service providers to tell their story, link to samples of their work, and allow a method of contact for consumers who would like additional information.

Information continues to be one of the most sought-after products that consumers purchase online. Ebooks, white papers, special reports, and ongoing subscriptions can generate substantially higher profit margins than product sales, since associated costs are minimal.

It is wise to research both demand for a product or service as well as existing suppliers before making a final decision on what to sell. Search tools such as Google Overture and Yahoo allow merchants to test keywords to determine how popular those search terms are. Highly sought-after items are likely to be bigger sellers, provided there isn’t already a lot of competition for that business.

Some website owners generate revenue without actively selling any product or service. A website devoted to providing information about a particular topic, for example, can earn income by selling ad space to merchants with related products. Cost-per-click (CPC) advertising is similar, but instead of paying a flat fee for ad space, merchants pay the affiliate a small amount for each visitor that clicks the link.

Affiliate marketing is another way to earn income with selling. Affiliates display ads or links for a merchant on their site. When visitors use the link to make a purchase from that merchant, the affiliate is paid a commission.

There are many options that business owners can consider beyond selling a product online. A wide variety of opportunities today make it possible for any business owner to succeed in ecommerce.

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This is the ideal time for business owners, in almost every industry imaginable, to jump on the bandwagon and join the e-commerce revolution. Providing an online shopping option can greatly increase the customer base of a business.

When a business owner makes the informed decision to offer products or services online, he is really ‘going global’, oftentimes with minimal effort. Even the smallest business with e-commerce abilities has discovered how easy it is to market their product to those a world away.

Online shopping is growing by leaps and bounds. This is not a surprising fact, when taking into consideration the millions of people who regularly surf the Internet.

Consumers are more comfortable with online shopping than ever before. This is due, in part, to the advances that have been made in regard to online security over the past several years.

Even those individuals who would have never divulged their credit card information in the past are now shopping from home because they feel safe doing so. Why? It’s convenient, it saves gas, it’s less stressful, and shopping online offers a much greater selection of merchandise than what they will find locally.

There will always be consumers who remain adamant about the fact that they will never make an online purchase. However, neighborhood businesses can still benefit from providing e-commerce options, as those same consumers freely admit to using the Internet for extensive price comparisons before actually making a final purchase.

The news gets better. With additional payment options becoming more readily available, even the individuals who currently feel e-commerce is not safe just might end up jumping the fence.

These options include: Bill Me Later (this payment provider sends out a paper bill, and consumers can send payment via check or money order), PayPal, Google Checkout, Verified By Visa and MasterCard Secure Code options.

Cyber Source Corporation, one of the leading electronic payment providers, reported that their 2007 fourth-quarter revenue totaled $45.4 million dollars. That reflects an astounding increase of 117% compared to the same period of the previous year.

Forrester Research predicts that annual e-commerce sales will top $258 billion dollars, this year alone. They estimate the numbers for 2010 will exceed $316 billion dollars in online sales.

Travel related vendors will be happy to note that travel related products are typically the largest online sales driver. In fact, a huge percentage of travel products and services are purchased by those who are very affluent.

Again, there is no better time than the present for business owners to set up shop in cyberspace. With continual improvements, online sales will only continue to increase. Millions of shoppers agree: e-commerce really is the most convenient, hassle free, enjoyable way to shop!

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Shopping online is fast, convenient and fun, but before making any purchases online, there are some things you should be aware of to protect yourself and your wallet.

First… Who are you dealing with?

Make sure you know all of the necessary information about the merchant and get the address, email, phone, and contact details so that you can check their reliability and verify credibility. Whenever I am dealing with an unfamiliar merchant, I always request info from their customer service to see if and how they respond to support request. No response or untimely responses tell me immediately that they are not consumer “friendly” or supportive and I’m off to find another merchant that does value their customers.

How much is this going to cost?

Check product pricing, and be sure to look for hidden charges. Shipping, taxes and the like are usually standard but sometimes there are hidden handling charges or currency conversion fees if buying internationally. Be aware of the TOTAL costs before committing to any purchase. If the pricing and fees appear to be inflated, do a product comparison search and see if you can get a better deal.

Am I ordering the right product?

Product identification is crucial when buying online. Since you can’t hold or see the actual product yourself, you can easily choose the wrong product. Verify the product details, be clear as to exactly what you are ordering by checking the product description carefully. If you are unsure, contact the vendor and request more information (this is also a good way to check their customer support at the same time). Guessing can be costly.

Is the product “In Stock”?

Before ordering, check stock availability. Whether or not the product is in stock and available should be clearly displayed on the website. If not, contact customer service to verify and be sure. Hot selling items may be on back order and may take a long time before being shipped. If you’re willing to wait, then order, otherwise, look elsewhere for that particular item. If it’s a hot seller, there’s sure to be other merchants offering the same product.

How is it going to be shipped? And when?

Delivery options vary from merchant to merchant. Some offer many different shipping options, and some may only ship via one method provider only. With the different shipping options come different fees and time constraints. Make sure you are aware of the costs and how long it will take before it is shipped or delivered. Most merchants will post this information with option forms either with the product or on the Shopping Cart. Always look for tracking information and whether or not insurance is offered. You should also receive a shipping confirmation via email when the item is shipped. If buying a high priced item it is recommended that you insure your purchase in the event of shipping damages or loss for your own protection. Not all vendors will replace or refund your purchase if that happens. And once again, be aware of any additional fees.

Payment Options… How are you paying for your purchase?

First, before entering any payment information, make sure you are on a SECURE PAYMENT PAGE. Look at the URL address in your browser and make sure the prefix is “https”. If there is no “s” the page is probably not secure or encrypted. Use at your own risk! You will find that payment options vary from vendor to vendor, but most always offer credit and debit card processing of some kind either through their own shopping cart or that of a third party like Paypal or 2Checkout etc. Many will also accept checks and money orders. If you feel more secure “snail mailing” your order and payment, many sites will offer a form for you to fill out, print and mail. Whatever you choose, be sure it is SECURE.

Protecting your Identity and Personal Information

Be aware of the personal information you are being asked for and what they are going to do with it. If you are asked for your personal information there should be a proper explanation as to what and how the information will be used. Most times this will be clearly stated in the Legal or Policy Area of the website. Privacy Policies are a must for any vendor and can usually be found in the footer of the website. There may also be a FAQ page, where they address customer questions and concerns. Be sure to read through both of these. If you feel they are requesting information not related to the purchase itself, do not enter it. Things like Social Security numbers etc. should never be asked for or entered. Protect your identity.

Did you receive a confirmation or receipt?

Once you have made your purchase and entered all of the necessary payment information and submitted, you should immediately receive a confirmation of some kind with a follow up confirmation to your email address. If you do not receive a confirmation CONTACT THE MERCHANT. Sometimes glitches occur and either the payment didn’t go through or the website may be having script problems. Always make sure you receive a confirmation and receipt for your protection. A clearly defined ordering process should be available for you on the website so you know what to expect and how to contact them in the event of any problems.

Do they have a return or refund policy?

Even under the best of circumstances, sometimes the product you ordered is not what you expected or wanted. Maybe it is defective or missing parts. Whatever the case may be, it’s important that you know the Return or Refund Policy before ordering in the event you have to return your item. Some merchants may charge a restocking fee, require you to get a RA# before returning and then there are those that will not accept any returns or give a refund. Refund Policies should also be stated on all merchant websites. If you do not see one, once again, contact customer support and request the information. Knowing all of this beforehand will save you a lot of grief if in the end if you have to send your purchase back.

Shopping online is much easier and much more secure these days than it was just a few years back. Technology has improved and security encryption software makes credit card processing quick and safe for both you and the merchant. With just a few clicks of the mouse you can purchase just about anything and have it sent to your front door. Just use your head, spend wisely and do it safely.

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It’s that time of the year again, and more and more people are looking to doing their taxes at home.  With programs like TurboTax and TaxACT available, the process can be simplified and the refund swift in coming.  However, going it alone is not always the wisest or most cost-efficient choice.

Let’s weigh some of the key factors in determining whether or not to enlist the aid of a professional tax service.

1. Is it worth your time?

For the self-employed, it may be more advantageous to enlist the services of a professional tax preparer or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).  Doing your own taxes, especially those related to a business, takes time.  And, time is money.

2. Do you have the knowledge to glean all of the tax-related benefits involved in owning your own business?

Being self-employed may just be one of the greatest tax strategies of our time.  As a self-employed individual, you are in control of your taxable income. With the right know-how, you can fully control how much tax you pay.  In fact, there are many tax advantages to being self-employed, and, oftentimes, a professional can find tax savings and deductions related to your business that you may have otherwise overlooked.

Ultimately, for the self-employed it’s a matter of weighing the cost against the advantages of hiring a professional.  Keep in mind however, hiring a professional can often result in tax savings that more than make up for the cost of the service.

3. What if you aren’t self-employed?  What if you are filing for yourself or your family?

In this case it may be worthwhile to consider going it alone.  Programs like TurboTax and the free program TaxACT walk you through the process step-by-step and often make receiving your refund a simple and expedient process.

Above all else though, the best rule of thumb to follow in either situation is to trust yourself.  Base your decision on whichever route gives you the most peace of mind.  If you are comfortable completing the tax forms and utilizing the programs available for going it on your own, then this may be the best route for you.  If however, you have any doubts or concerns, your best bet may be to hire a professional.

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The Internet is awash with content.  Content of all types can be found on websites and posted on forums.  Just about any subject you are looking to learn about can be accessed on the Internet.  Using articles to market your business is a free promotion that is highly effective.

What have you spent?  You may have spent a few hours doing research on your topic and then you sat down to write some interesting content.  The content was posted on your own site or sold to other sites that deal in buying articles.

The best way to use article marketing is to write about something that you know.  A topic that is familiar offers a host of different spins on one subject that can be marketed in a variety of places.  You can submit articles to online sites, e-zines, print magazines, and newsletters.  Any one of these places will give your work more exposure.

Come up with several ideas for article content.  Keep a notebook with you so that you can jot down article subjects and titles.  If you are putting together several “how to” articles, keep a list of what to include in the articles.  The more information that you have on hand, the quicker you will be able to produce an article.

Surf the Web to see what types of articles are out there.  If the subject that you have chosen is pretty much done to distraction, choose something else to focus on.  Most of us have more than one area of interest or expertise so we can use that to find another marketing avenue.

What about rewrites?  If you are the owner of the content, exercise your right to use it again and rewrite it from another angle to get more use out of the subject.  Tailor your articles to the specific guidelines of the site or publication where you will be submitting them for consideration.

Above all, don’t forget to plug your website or product at the end of the article.  Most sites will let you have a small bio at the end.  If they do, use it to the hilt.  Always, always include a hyperlink to your website so that people can find you easily.  They will want to read more on the subject and this can’t be done if they can’t locate your site.

A hyperlink will take them directly to the website.  If you forget to use the http:// at the beginning, they will have to copy and paste into the browser.  People want things to be as easy as possible and so do you if you want their traffic.

Article marketing is free and fun and best of all,  profitable.  Use the knowledge that you have gained on a particular subject to enhance your business and make you some money.  People are always looking for good sources of information.  Make sure you’re one of them!

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There are literally thousands of online joint venture possibilities to pursue.  However, they generally fall into a few basic categories: list leveraging, product creation and general sharing.  Here are ten online joint venture possibilities:

1.  List leveraging.  This is a common and generally simple joint venture.  If you have a great opt in list and someone has a great product, you can promote their product to your list for a percentage of the sales.

2.  Information marketing businesses can partner to bundle their products together and promote them to their combined email lists.  The benefit to this type of arrangement is potentially huge.  Each business increases their exposure and customer base, each business makes money, and each business gives their customer and email list an opportunity to take benefit from a new product.

3.  Another simple joint venture might involve sharing or exchanging text links or banners with other related web sites.

4. Partner with another online business with a similar target market to create and share a web site.  For example, you create dog training information products and your partner makes home made dog treats.  You will both be marketing and advertising the same web site which means double the traffic.

5. A very simple online joint venture is to exchange testimonials or endorsements for each others products or services.  For example, if you are a virtual assistant, you could promote the services of a web design firm or copywriter you’ve used.  In return, they could promote your services as a virtual assistant.

6. If you have a product that is nearing the end of its life and sales are dwindling, you could offer it as a free bonus for another businesses product or service.  In exchange, ask for a small portion of the profits.

7. Offer to insert a promotional ad for another business into your product package.  You could take a small percentage of the profits or ask them to return the favor.

8. Trade ezine ads with relevant businesses that have similar target markets.

9. Create a promotional giveaway with another business and publish your ads and links in the report, ebook, or even talk about them in a video or audio product.  You’re essentially sharing the labor to put together a promotion that will reach both your list members and the list members of your partner, which means you’re doubling your reach.

10. Create a freeware program with another business. Include a promotional ad for each of your businesses in the program. Submit it to freeware and freebie sites.

When considering the many possibilities of joint venture partnerships, consider what skills, strengths and assets you can bring to the partnership.  This will likely give you numerous possibilities and then all you have to do is find the right partner.

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You’ve decided you want to do a joint venture and now need someone to join forces with.  But just how do you choose a potential JV partner?  And more importantly, how do you approach or contact them? Then what?  For the first timer, these are all issues that could stop you dead in your tracks.  But fear not, doing a joint venture is really not that hard especially if you follow these simple guidelines.

#1  Research them to make sure they’re a person you really want to work with.  This can include: a Google, a credit check, a Better Business Bureau check and even a police check, as well as talking with their competition, suppliers, vendors, landlords, customers, neighbors and staff.

#2  Learn as much as you can about their business from the same sources, so that you are well prepared and knowledgeable about their business, demographic marketing target, profit margins, problems, aspirations, strengths, and weaknesses.

#3  Initial contact.  The next step can be handled a number of ways.  One way is to email your prospect and tell them you’re impressed with their business and you’ve sent a proposal to them. You can use FedEx to let them know you’re serious and tell them it’ll be delivered that way.  Most people don’t just toss something from FedEx.  Your proposal is basically a sales letter whereby you lay out your idea and take the time to present the benefits of this joint venture to your partner.

Your other option is to pick up the telephone or send an email.  The trouble with email is that if this person doesn’t know you, they may simply delete your email.  A phone call means you’ll at least know you’ve made a connection.  While picking up the phone is a scary thought for many, this is a joint venture, you don’t really have anything to lose.

OK… So what do you say…?

Any good salesperson knows that the pitch has to be all about what benefits the person will receive by partnering with you.  Start the conversation enthusiastically with a brief intro about who you are and then jump right into what you know, and are impressed with, about their business.  A little bit of honest flattery and the fact that you’ve done your research will generally get you the attention you need for the next phase…your pitch.  Here is some of the information you’ll need:

• What you bring to the table
• What your partner will bring to the table
• What the potential profits are and how you came to those numbers.
• What is fair for each person involved
• How and when each person will be paid

And that’s it.  Offer to send the proposal to them in writing and then give your potential partner time to think it over.  Set up a time to meet or communicate again and say goodbye.  Walla.  That’s it.  You’re done.  Chances are you may have a strong indication of their interest before you hang up.  If you feel it is a “no”, you’ve become familiar with the process and next time it will be easier and you may have better luck.  If the answer is a “yes” – then Congratulations!

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Joint Ventures are a great way to not only network but build your business and profits! However, finding the right project and partner can be daunting. Who you partner with and what project you undertake can make or break you, so you must choose wisely. Here are some thoughts to consider before embarking on any joint venture project.

Step 1.  Decide what you want from your joint venture project.

Do you want to promote your membership site?  Do you want to promote a product?  Do you have a great content idea but lack the time to create the product?  Do you simply desire the opportunity to connect people with a product or opportunity?  The options for a successful joint venture are limitless.

If you know what type of project you’d like to initiate, begin by looking for individuals that are experts in your niche subject, whose customer lists will be more targeted to your project even if they are not as extensive.

Step 2.  Find a good partner.

Good joint venture projects begin with good partners.  As you are seeking the right project, also keep in mind who you’re partnering with.  They can make or break the experience.

Once you find someone you would like to partner with, be careful about how you approach them.  If you think they would make a good JV partner, the chances are many other internet marketers will have the same idea and they will get asked on a regular basis.

The following tips may help you when contacting your prospective JV partner:

• Research them thoroughly.  The more information you have about them and their business the better your pitch will be.
• If they have a membership site, sign up for it and get to know their subscribers.  Is the project you want to involve this person in, or the product you want to sell really appropriate for their customers?
• Marketing Seminars offer a multitude of networking possibilities.  Many great joint ventures have been conceived over a drink in the hotel bar, or over dinner at one of these seminars.

Step 3  Contact them with your proposal.

• Try to get hold of their telephone number if possible rather than sending an e-mail.
• If you must send an e-mail, make it a personal one and not a standard request, or the chances are they will simply delete it.
• You need to try to build a relationship with this person.  If they are going to enter a project with you, and potentially promote your product to their customers, they will want to know something about you and the way you work.
• Be honest and straightforward rather than offering up a sales pitch.  Present all of the benefits to partnering with you including monetary benefits, credibility and exposure benefits.

By following these steps and using good judgment along with common sense, a joint venture project can easily build your bottom line and business.

Wishing You Success!

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Simply put, an online joint venture happens when you join forces with another online business to make some money.  There are no tricks to joint ventures other than finding a good partner, and joint ventures can and do take a variety of forms.

For example, a simple joint venture, which is also quite common, is for two information marketing businesses to bundle their products together and promote them to their combined email lists.  The benefit to this type of arrangement is potentially huge.  Each business increases their exposure and customer base, each business makes money, and each business gives their customer and email list an opportunity to get benefit from a new product.

This type of joint venture is only one of a thousand possibilities.  If you have a great opt in list and someone has a great product, you can promote their product to your list for a percentage of the sales.  Or you may be excellent at marketing products and have a great idea for a product your market would buy, but you do not have the time or the inclination to create the product.  You could then partner with a programmer or a writer to create the product, you sell it and you split the profits.  Like I said, there are many options.

The real key to a successful online joint venture partnership is finding the right partner.  Online networking is an excellent place to find a partner.  Perhaps you already work with a business you could partner with.  Once you find a potential partner, your first step – before you pick up the phone – is to draft a proposal.  Highlight what you bring to the relationship and what your potential partner has to gain.

Once you have your proposal ready, and you’ve done plenty of research about your potential partner, give them a call, send them a letter, or zip over an email introducing yourself and outlining your proposal.  Remember to make your proposal about them, what they have to gain and what you have to offer, rather than what you have to gain.

If they’re not interested, part on good terms. You never know when your paths might cross again and you could work together in the future.  If, on the other hand, your partner says yes – enjoy the experience and the profits!

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