The following summary is a list of marketing features found in the IBM WebSphere Commerce platform that may be beneficial to you as you expand your online business. INTERNATIONAL SITES. Each online store can be configured to handle commerce from a global perspective.•    Supports 25 currencies – DEM, EUR, FRF, GBP, USD …•    Supports 13 languages – English, French, Japanese, German, Korean, Spanish …•    Multiple payment methods – credit card, check, COD, gift card, PayPal, PO, BillMeLater …MARKETING CAMPAIGNS An extensive set...

We’ve all heard the quote, “good artists copy; great artists steal.” While this is not something to be taken literally, it’s an idea that has some credence in the world of marketing. There is nothing wrong with mirroring the efforts of those who have found success. A recent report from Digital IQ titled “Sportswear 2015” offers an intriguing look into how activewear, which did not suffer the same slump in sales as the apparel industry saw in 2014, is marketed on...

Launching a new website (or marketing campaign for an existing website) can be incredibly exciting. Seeing all of your hard work come to life in bright, vivid online colors is definitely deserving of a little pat on the back. And it’s also fitting to let others see the fruits of your labor. Because after all, the website is just the beginning of what could be a long and successful eCommerce endeavor.   When it comes to getting your website in front...

For those in the business of eavesdropping, it’s not rare to overhear a pair of executives at a lunch counter talking about the ROI of social media. One will ask the other how to quantify its value and whether it’s worthy of all the hype.   If it’s the right set of businessmen, the answer to that question will be a resounding, “Yes! It’s worth the hype and more.” If it’s the wrong set of businessmen, the remainder of their lunch...

From tree trimmers to cupcake makers to steel distributors, businesses are blogging about the issues important in their line of work. They’re establishing an authoritative voice in their respective markets and they’re driving traffic to their websites. Collectively, they’ve adopted the philosophy that blogging equals market exposure.   To get the full-blown, positive effects, however, the successful bloggers of the bunch realize that writing can’t be a standalone effort. They understand that there are a few essential assets that go hand-in-hand...

Free: It’s one of the best four-letter words in the English lexicon. When people see it, their interest is immediately sparked. And it gets even better when that something free is tied into a contest. Not only is there a prize involved, but there’s also a win.   Every day,hundreds of businesses tap into the psychology of winning and getting something for free. And they do it through social media contests.   Take BMW, for example. The venerable German automaker put...

Who, what, why, where, when and how serve as the proven foundation behind any good piece of news. As long as all those bases are covered, the general public shouldn’t walk away from an article with unanswered questions.   And the same holds true with a social media marketing plan. Whether a small business is Tweeting or posting content on Facebook or LinkedIn, it’s important to deliver a well-rounded message.   But, for today’s purposes the team here at NetSphere Strategies...

Social media is no longer a fad when it comes to generating traffic and building buzz around a business. In fact, social media is essentially synonymous with marketing. It’s all about creating interest and turning that interest into qualified leads.   To harness the benefits, businesses will develop a social media strategy that has all the right elements – appropriate platform selection, well-developed content and incentives for engagement. Unfortunate for many, however, conversion rates aren’t reflecting the efforts put forth. And...

Although Bob the Builder might not while away his time on Pinterest, Debbie the DIYer might. And that’s probably just what the folks at Home Depot were thinking when they created nearly 40 of their own pinboards.   “When it comes to the sexes on social media, there are a few places where the battle lines seem settled,” say the editors of a recent Mashable article. “It probably won’t surprise you to learn, for example, that men are from Google+ and women are...

Last week at IRCE 2013 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, Alex Zhardanovsky, co-founder of PetFlow.com, spoke in front of a massive crowd of eCommerce business owners, industry journalists and show attendees. Buzz leading up to his speaking engagement was primarily based on his company’s legendary social media accomplishment: building its Facebook fan base from 20,000 to 600,000 in six months and doing it all for less than $200,000.   “The approach to acquire as many fans as quickly as possible certainly wasn’t...