Access e Commerce Exploring Electronic Commerce Jane Nolan

Access e. Commerce Exploring Electronic Commerce Jane Nolan Goeken Community Development Specialist Iowa State University Extension

Course Objectives and Outline n Part 1 – Exploring E-Commerce n Criteria for evaluating sites n The Internet as a research tool n Part 2 – Planning Your Website n Stages of website development n Website costs and services n Part 3 – Promoting your Website n Tell everyone about it n All about search engines n Part 4 – Internet Business Plan n Case Study

Doing Business Online How small business use the Internet Bringing your business online Resources you can use today

Today we’ll look at… n Small Business Use of the Net n Examples of How Businesses use the Net n The Internet as a Research Tool n Getting a Web Presence n Web Design and Promotion Tips

Small Business Use of the Internet

e. Commerce is all about… n Using online resources and tools to do business better n Making money and saving money online n It’s NOT always about SELLING on the Internet!

Changing Internet Statistics Online access: n 58% of American households are connected to the Internet n 16% have a broadband connection Online shopping: n 43% of Internet users buy online n 29 purchases/year n Spend $95/month online Businesses online: n 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 n Websites increase sales indirectly. Stimulates customers to buy by phone, fax, e-mail or brings customers into the store n 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: n n n n n 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. Black. Socks. 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: n New suppliers n Product ideas n Marketing ideas n Better prices

Searching for Information n Use a directory n Example: Yahoo or Google Directory n Use a search engine n Use a site that indexes websites on specific topics

Google. com n Searches 4, 285, 199, 774 web pages

Tips for Searching Google search results: n widget parts 268, 000 n “widget parts” 660 n “widget parts” green 56 n “widget parts” green -china 20

Research Your Competition n Is your competition across the world or next door? n Search engines are the key to finding your online competition n What can you do better, or different?

Evaluate Your Competition Visit their websites. What are they trying to do online? n What do you like or dislike? n What can your company do better? n Find out how popular these sites are n Google using: link: www. company. com

Getting a Web Presence

Options for Doing Business Online Do you really need a website? Consider: Auction Websites n Malls or Cooperatives n Online Storefronts n Develop your own website Templates n Hire a developer n Do it yourself n 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… n Informative n Fast n Easy to navigate n Tidy n Accessible

Promoting Your Website n Tell everyone about it n Help search engines find you Tips are at www. searchenginewatch. com n Use traditional media

Viral Marketing “Any advertising that propagates itself the way viruses do. ” n Friends and relatives n Customers n Website visitors

Promotion ideas n Got. Logos. com n Café Press www. cafepress. com

Summary n Become comfortable with the Internet n Decide if you really need a website n Explore web hosts, online malls, auctions for features and costs n Decide which services are right for your business to meet your customer needs n Promote to every living being on the planet, and then promote some more

For more information www. access. E. info