Remember when getting videos on the web was a laborious and fairly complicated process? Once you figured out how to create it, you had to make sure it was in the right format, contact your host to stream the video, make sure the client had the correct video player installed and once you figured all that out, you had all those additional bandwidth charges to look forward to. Things were tough in pre-YouTube days, but the playing field has changed and the process has become simpler. Now, not only can you add video to your site, you absolutely should.
First, get a decent video camera. Great ones can usually be found for under $100. Once you have the camera, make sure to pick up some easy to use video editing software. Many cameras come with some type of editing software, if the one you purchased doesn’t, do a quick search on Google for video editing software and you’ll find plenty. Next item needed is an account with either youtube.com or www.vimeo.com. This is where you’ll be uploading you video once it’s complete.
Some helpful hints for a successful ecommerce video:
1) Keep it simple – People watching your video don’t want to listen to technical mumbo jumbo or long winded, unemotional descriptions of your product . They can read that stuff on the site. Your goal is to create a short, to the point, product presentation that will work for all audiences. Its best to create “problem/solution” type videos. “Have a dirty floor, here’s how ACME mop can help”. Think about your customer’s motivation to buy and address it. Also, if your product has a unique selling proposition, be sure to discuss that in the video.
2) Keep it short – Keep your message short and to the point. Think about who your target market is .Produce your video as if that person is in front of you and you’re giving them your best elevator pitch. Don’t have an elevator pitch? Get one! Customers will quickly lose interest if your message isn’t short, sweet and to the point.
3) Keep them on task - What is the goal of your video? To sell this product or service so make sure you are providing them a way to make a purchase. If the video isn’t on the product page, be sure to clearly outline the URL to the product. You can do this by adding an annotation to your video in youTube.com. You can also use that feature to highlight the main points you are trying to Communicate. Here is a quick tutorial on how to do it: http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=92710
Since the web doesn’t allow us to touch and feel a product, a video can be the next best thing. If you have a product or products that you think would benefit from video, give it a shot and see if you see an increase in sales.
Happy Selling
Shipwire releases new Pinnacle Cart module for use in version 3.7 and above
Shipwire has released a new Pinnacle Cart module for use in version 3.7 and above. Shipwire is an order fulfillment service that allows you to store merchandise in massive warehouses in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Shipwire is perfect for merchants that are ready to automate order processing and grow international and U.S. sales. Shipwire is easily connected to Pinnacle Cart using the Shipwire add-on and completely automates your order fulfillment process. As customers order from your online store, Shipwire will pack and ship the order for you.
Features supported via the Shipwire API:
• Automated order notification from your Pinnacle Cart install to your Shipwire account.
• Tracking numbers are sent back to Pinnacle Cart.
• Inventory counts are updated to your Pinnacle Cart installation
This brings a ton of Shipwire features to Pinnacle Cart:
• Automate orders to warehouses in 3 countries
• Free order management software
• Free online label printing for USPS, UPS and FedEx
• Free Inventory management system
Shipwire has put together a special offer for all Pinnacle Cart clients:
• 50 order free trial of Shipwire warehouses in the US, Canada & UK
• Free shipping tools to use forever
• Free business growth consultation
To get started with this special offer, Click here.
For instructions on setting up Shipwire in Pinnacle Cart, click here.
Shiny, New Pinnacle Cart 3.7.8!
The wee development Leprechauns here at Pinnacle Cart have gifted us some early Luck o the Irish today with the release of 3.7.8. Improvements to our legendary One Page Checkout process have been included along with an updated control panel and the latest USPS webtools.
We’ve also made over 50 fixes / improvements to the application including:
• Change ECHO payment gateway to meet POST compliance
• Added the new Webgility module to the cart
• Corrected issue related to using PayPal IPN in HTTP mode
• Corrected issue with adding additional weight to a product using attributes.
• Fixed return to cart issue with WorldPay
• Included “Locks” on product page to prevent overwriting data during product imports
• Added “Search Knowledgebase” to the control panel
• Optimized product export
Take a look over here to view the complete list of changes and change log, http://www.cartmanual.com/update-378-R600.shtml.
If you are eligible for this update, a link will magically appear in your cart admin area directly below the sales graph area. Not eligible? You need to be! Get over to your account area at https://account.pinnaclecart.com and add access to the latest versions from there.
Questions? Feel free to give us a call at 800-506-0398.
Happy Selling Everyone!
Reduce cart abandonment by reducing the steps required to checkout
On average, at least 50% of online shopping cart orders are abandoned and the products not purchased. One common reason that these carts are abandoned is having too many steps during checkout. Streamlining the checkout process to as few steps as possible can greatly improve the completion percentage of online shopping cart orders.
Having unnecessary steps in the checkout process, such as a site registration requirement, can lead to frustration and cart abandonment. Customers often shop online for convenience and do not want a long checkout process after their decisions have been made. The fewer steps the customer has for checkout, the more cart completion you’ll see.
By eliminating distractions from the checkout process, you are retaining sales for your company. With people’s lives becoming increasingly busy, online shoppers have no time to waste and want a convenient shopping experience. Cutting out the distractions and unnecessary aspects of the checkout process will be greatly appreciated by customers. This appreciation will be seen in more completed orders and more repeat customers.