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Vendio and its alternative to selling online .An e'commerce platform for small business ,vendio provides a free online store and an online platform to sell on eBay,amazon and get your products to people across the web and sell your stuff.You can also build your own brand with the free vendio stores and use Google to market them.Sign up for your store now Free Online Store

The search giant has unveiled a new “behavioural targeting” feature for websites on its AdSense network – matching a similar service launched by YahooXtra around the globe last month, and enraging privacy advocates.

It’s old hat to match context-sensitive text ads to the article, or video, that a web surfer is currently watching.

But today Google started to trial a new tool that offer what it calls “interest-based ads” – advertisements not matched to what you’re immediately clicking on, but that take into account your interests and habits in general, as revealed by your entire web surfing history.

Google users will be placed into one of 20 pre-determined categores (matching YahooXtra's targetting service; below), in turn divided into 600 subcategories.

“These ads will associate categories of interest – say sports, gardening, cars, pets –with your browser, based on the types of sites you visit and the pages you view,” says the company in a blogpost announcing the new service. “We may then use those interest categories to show you more relevant text and display ads.” Technology from DoubleClick, bought by Google in 2007, will facilitate the data matching.

IDs of March
The new behavioural targeting service will be trialed worldwide by Google properties, including its search engine and YouTube, from today.

During April, the trial will expand to include independent websites on Google's AdSense network.

Eat me
Although some privacy groups were quick to label the new ad technique as Orwellian, Google says people can opt out by choosing not to receive the cookie (tracking software) that enables the behavioural targeting (see instructions here), or use Google’s Ad Preferences Manager (below), to refine what categories of advertisement they receive – or, indeed, add extra interests for advertisers to target (recalling, to your correspondent, that cow in The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy that asks to be eaten). It’s all, says Google, in the name of "making ads more interesting.”

YahooXtra already there
On February 11, YahooXtra launched its own behavioural targeting capability, introducing a service that analyses web surfers’ behaviour, then places them into one of 20 pre-defined behavioural profiles of online users around the globe.

“With media dollars under real pressure in 2009, innovation that drives advertising efficiency couldn’t come at a better time”, said YahooXtra chief executive, Kevin Bowler.

The company says all user data is completely anonymous and is examined at an aggregate level only.

Microsoft introduced worldwide behavioural targetting for its Live.com search engine at the end of 2007.

Collision course with regulator
Google’s privacy approach, which requires users to its Ad Preferences site, may not be enough to satisfy the US Federal Trade Commission.

On February 12, the FTC questioned whether industry self-policing was enough, and hinted that regulation may be needed around behavioural targeting.

A key issue: the FTC’s desire that the likes of Google, Microsoft and Yahoo proactively inform their users about what data is being collected, and opt-out options, not wait for customers to visit their preference sites.

The search giant has sent a memo to websites on its AdSense network, asking them to change their privacy policy to accommodate its new behavioural targeting technology, which tracks where people surf and serves ads to match their interests.

While context-sensitive text ads are nothing new, Google’s new “interest-based” advertising service will go beyond the article a person is immediately reading, reviewing their long-term web habits to build a profile.

The memo asks websites, using AdSense, to update their privacy policy by April 8.

Google says that due to differing privacy laws between countries, it can’t provide a template privacy policy, but it does provide links to sample text that warns users (at least those who bother to visit your privacy statement) that your site uses tracking cookies.

Learn how to opt-out of “interest-based ads” .click here

That memo in full:

Hello,

We're writing to let you know about the upcoming launch of interest-based
advertising, which will require you to review and make any necessary changes
to your site's privacy policies. You'll also see some new options on your
Account Settings page.

Interest-based advertising will allow advertisers to display ads based on a
user's previous interactions with them, such as visits to advertiser website
and also to reach users based on their interests (e.g. "sports enthusiast").
To develop interest categories, we will recognise the types of web pages
that users visit throughout the Google content network. As an example, if
they visit a number of sports pages, we will add them to the "sports
enthusiast" interest category. To learn more about your associated account
settings, please visit the AdSense Help Centre at
http://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/topic.py?topic=20310&hl=en_GB.

As a result of this announcement, your privacy policy will now need to
reflect the use of interest-based advertising. Please review the information
at
https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?answer=100557&hl=en_GB
to ensure that your site's privacy policies are up-to-date and make any
necessary changes by 8 April 2009. Because publisher sites and laws vary
across countries, we're unfortunately unable to suggest specific privacy
policy language.

For more information about interest-based advertising, you can also visit
the Inside AdSense Blog at
http://adsense.blogspot.com/2009/03/driving-monetization-with-ads-that.html.

We appreciate your participation and look forward to this upcoming
enhancement.

Yours sincerely,

The Google AdSense Team

Google, Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043

If you have any experience working in eCommerce, I’m going to bet you can list 10 mistakes you’ve made, or have seen others make while running their online store. Or maybe you’re currently setting up shop online, and need some advice on what pitfalls to avoid.

Below are 10 eCommerce startup mistakes I’ve encountered while working with online businesses. Specifically, many of these blunders are made by companies who are taking a traditional business online for the first time.

#1 - Blowing the budget on web development and neglecting marketing:

In the brick and mortar world, you get free traffic just by setting up shop on the street corner. The same does not apply for eCommerce. The “if you build it, they will come” mentality still exists in the minds of zealous, first time internet entrepreneurs. If you want a successful website, plan on spending as much on marketing and optimization in the first year as you pay for developing the site.

#2 - Getting Stuck in Endless Cycles of Design Revisions:

In traditional marketing or store operations, you have to get it right the first time, because it’s too expensive to redo your store signage a week after you open. However, the tools available to you online allow you to easily evolve and optimize your website overtime. As General George Patton once said, “A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.” The same applies to websites. Don’t expect a perfect website on day one. Rather than focusing on perfection, make a commitment to optimization after the website launches.

#3 - Forgetting people can’t touch your products:

This point may seem painfully obvious, but its often overlooked because companies know their products a little too well. It’s amazing how many eCommerce sites neglect appropriate zoom-in photos, contextual photos, and product descriptions. Take a look at the top performing websites in your niche, and pay close attention to how they describe and picture their products.

#4 - Not realizing website visitors aren’t as committed as store visitors


It’s easy for business owners to imagine a website visitor in the same way they perceive an in-store visitor. This is a serious mistake. While it’s not uncommon for retail stores to experience conversion rates of over 50% (half of the people who enter the store buy). a 3% conversion rate for website, would be considered acceptable. Why this disparity? It all comes down to commitment. The amount of commitment required to get in the car and drive yourself to a retail store is much greater than the commitment from a casual surfer who clicks on your website from Google. In the physical world, your competitor is 10 minutes away. Online, they’re a few clicks away.

What does this mean? It means that any obstacle, large or small, that gets in the way of buying process will cause lost sales. It also means that you must add value to the customer experience, especially if you sell the same products as your competitors.

#5 - Using Print media for online media:

You know that killer flyer you made for your big sale event? Odds are it makes a terrible email blast. What about the retail catalog you invested so much on? It too, is likely very ineffective as an online version. Print and online media may be similar in some ways, but there are more differences than similarities. When choosing a designer for your website or online marketing projects, make sure they have significant experience with online creative, not just print media.

#6 - Ignoring Online Trust Issues:

In the face to face real world security, and privacy are rarely top concerns for customers. eCommerce, however, is inherently “taxed” with a low-trust environment, causing visitors to doubt the legitimacy of your site. You must go the extra mile to assuage these perfectly rational fears. This includes assuring customers of their information is secure, and that you value their privacy.

#7 - Having a “Home Page equals the Website” mentality:

In countless situations, I have seen companies place too much emphasis on the homepage, particularly the graphics, and woefully neglect other critical pages such as the product or category pages. A recent company I work with was surprised to learn that total pageviews of their homepage represented less than 4% of overall pageviews on their website. Yes, the homepage is important, but don’t go overboard and ignore other essentials.


#8 -Chasing After Every Internet Fad


Don’t go chasing after the latest and greatest internet marketing tactic or ecommerce feature. Yes, there are many exciting new tools and marketing tactics out there, but focus on the sure-fire methods first, such as search marketing, email marketing, and website usability. There’s much to be said about innovation and trying new things, but take every opportunity with a grain of salt, considering the opportunity cost.


#9 - Not Understanding or Caring about Web Analytics:

You can read a balance sheet, now make a commitment to understanding basic website analytics. In a physical store, the idea of analyzing customer activity is far fetched and impractical. For this reason, business owners often never realize the potential of not just monitoring but acting upon web analytics data. It’s vital that someone in the organization can understand and interpret web analytics.


#10 - Failing to Integrate your In-Store & Online Channels Early on:

Many large click-and-mortar retailers are still struggling to seamlessly integrate their in-store and online channels. Channel conflict, price discrepancies, and a siloing mentality are common, causing brand confusion for your customers. Many store managers believe promoting an eCommerce website will steal store sales. Make sure to educate your store staffers early on, highlighting the many synergies of online and in-store retailing.

I’ve listed 10 “don’t s”, now what about what you should do? If you had one tip to give an ecommerce startup business, what would it be?

by Justin Palmer
http://www.palmerwebmarketing.com

Vendio.com has released a one stop solution to sell online, they have integrated solutions with Ebay.com, Amazon.com and a stand alone Web-store .These application provided can be used individually the store front is totally free and can be a stand alone, If you would like to sell on EBay and Amazon you can subscribe for the market place solution which cost only $10.

10 Reason why to use the storefront provided by Vendio.com

1. It has an inventory and order management.
2. Fully customised store front Templates, borders, colours and more .If you know Html you can customise the templates and themes provided by vendio or if you would like to use your own template you can import a Html or CSS vendio supports both.
3. No need to subscribe to image hosting Vendio provider’s it free for the store front.
4. Built in shopping cart integrated with payment providers like PayPal, Google checkout. You can also accept credit cards vendio is integrated with Verisign.com and Authorise.net, You would need to setup and account with them before you select the option to accept credit cards.
5. The store is very user friendly no need to be a geek to set it up.
6.Coupons option provided ,this is a great feature to enable you to get customers coming back to you .Just send them a coupon to use on their next purchase you will get customers coming back to you everybody likes to save that extra buck during these times.
7.Customer support -For those who need that extra help in setting up the store vendio provides free email support also if you need to talk to someone over the telephone you can subscribe for paid support during the first month this only cost you $5.95 hey why not pay for support when you get the product free .
8. Integration with UPS, USPS and FEDEX print those labels and invoices with one click.
9. Vendio has been in business for over 10 years and they are the largest Auction Management Company supporting over 60K + customers on eBay.
10. With all these features and a lot more this Application is 100% free, with eBay getting crazier with Rules and changes this would be the exact solution to diversity on the internet.

I have looked at a Demo of the new platform for the Store, EBay and Amazon it looks clean and very promising to start of a internet business and manage everything in one place, the entire layout is very user friendly and well designed, this is definitely well worth for the various features and functionalities provided .This is a totally web based solution but I have also heard from their sales rep that they would be releasing a Desktop version of this in about 6-7 Weeks.
For more info about Vendio.com go to
,if you need a demo you can request for one by clicking the link on the home page and filling in the information .
So happy selling folks and all the best to Vendio.com with their new application and services, I must say this has come at the right time.
Sign up for a free store at Vendio.com click here

Ebay has recently released its new version of research in collaboration with a company called Terapeak ,this new feature enables sellers to do a research about a particular item that they would like to list on eBay and this gives them the Avg selling price of the item ,Price range and listings sold .

Research Now

So before you list that next item on ebay do not forget to do a quick research to get the best out of the market .

Read the article below.

Great time to cash in

In a tough economy, it's important to get the most out of what you have. Everything is worth something to someone. So do an early spring cleaning and let eBay help you bring home extra cash. Sell the vintage magazines rescued from Uncle Bob; those red Manolo Blahniks you had to have but never wore; the digital camera you're ready to upgrade. There's someone looking for a good deal on just what you have to offer. Find out what items like yours are selling for now--just click the "Sell" tab on any eBay page and enter your item in the "What's it worth?" box.

Check your listings in the new item page now!
The new item page is being rolled out to more and more buyers. If you haven't done it already, be sure to check out what your listings look like in the new page. Just click the link in the top right corner of your listings.

Top tips to list fast and get more visibility in search results
Follow these best practices to list faster and help interested buyers find your items:
Whenever you can, use product details (formerly called pre-filled item information), now available for more and more categories. Plus, for new items, you can use a free stock photo.
Add product details to multiple listings at one time when bulk editing or bulk relisting.
Boost your exposure by using the Item Specific options when describing your item. Add your own item attributes if they're not available.

Make sure you list in the right categories so buyers can find your listings. Listing in the wrong category could also result in your listings being taken down.