Shopping Portal Advice

[caravan]

Hi,

I'm starting the seo for a site which sells ladies business wear, casual clothing and accessories online. I've completed the on the page optimisation and I'm now looking to target shopping portals and build links.

I'm going to suggest the client looks at registering as an ebay seller and with Amazon but as the client has a small budget could anyone suggest any good shopping portals that are free.

Any other tips and advise for promoting an e-commerce website would also be must appreciated.

Regards,
Andy

[Martinscholes]

Does Froogle charge?

From a PR (public relations) point of view, as well as SEO work, there needs to be a buzz created about your client. Press releases, maybe plant a few 'controversial' stories asking if people are happy going to work looking like unprofessional slobs. Try to get the client on TV and radio talk shows, etc. Create a Youtube and Myspace presence. That kind of thing.

[rudyhiebert]

If we could separate the "chaff from the wheat" on this, that would be a good thing. By "chaff" I mean stuff that is not proven; by "wheat" I mean advice that works.
Forums that are positive and accept relationship building will promote by the "word-of-mouth" method.
If I could offer my effort in this regard and invite feedback on it as well, I'd be grateful; it is:
Welcome to Shopping Bonanza Mall

[Martinscholes]

The only problem is with that site, whenever someone says "It's NOT MLM!" I think: "If you have to tell me it is not MLM and then you use words like tiers" I start to wonder if it is MLM, after all...

Maybe I am just too suspicious?

[radarseo]

Hi caravan,

Basically I have the same problem like you, need to create a buzz and build links but we have a low budget.

I'm using Froogle, it's free and it's sending me decent traffic. Also I add the URL to my social accounts (delicious, furl, etc) to build a few links from authority sites.

Hope this help

[doj464]

Originally Posted by caravan

Hi,

I'm starting the seo for a site which sells ladies business wear, casual clothing and accessories online. I've completed the on the page optimisation and I'm now looking to target shopping portals and build links.

I'm going to suggest the client looks at registering as an ebay seller and with Amazon but as the client has a small budget could anyone suggest any good shopping portals that are free.

Any other tips and advise for promoting an e-commerce website would also be must appreciated.

Regards,
Andy

I would highly suggest eBay - If you can create a pitch for them, there is a huge amount of shoppers there. I've used it very successfully. Startup cost is minimal.

Froogle is also a good idea. (Although it's not technically froogle. It's part of Google Base.)

Another Tip would be to use Jellyfish - they only charge per sale.

[ann@randrinc.com]

Hi, this is regarding the question about a shopping cart. Our company just listed a new project on SourceForge.net: Welcome to SourceForge.net, Order Portal - it is a full web application for on line catalog and ordering. The download should be available next week, written in Java, runs on linux, you will also be able to download the source code and documentation. So starting next week it should be available at no charge. Thanks Ann

[caravan]

Thanks for the feedback. I've already setup Froogle (Google Base) and submitted to shopsafe.co.uk. I've advised that they look into Amazon as well. As you suggest radarseo I've bookmarked the site with delicious and stumbleupon. So it looks like I'm on the right lines, which is always good to know.

If I can target several low cost shopping portals my next step will be to devise some new content and link bait for the site.

Cheers

[jcisar]

Also try MSN Product Search, and iOffer.com.

[digiweb]

Originally Posted by radarseo

I'm using Froogle, it's free and it's sending me decent traffic.

Hey radarseo - are you doing anything special to get that froogle traffic? We have 50 products on froogle but no completed sales from there.

[playingthegame]

In my humble opinion I think that the site needs more work doing before any real effort is put into driving traffic to the site.

There are too few items and they are all using the same model. Very attractive as she is

Once there are enough products on the site to give people choice and options I would write some keyword rich articles on the subject of power dressing for woman and other related matter and post them to the article directories.

Use ppc other than adwords as this can be picked up for pennies like Miva and yahoo.

Google base really helps with your SERPS to and is also a great way to generate traffic for free.

PlayingTheGame

Learning the way step by step
Glass Tables And Chairs - Quality By Design And In The Making
DiJiJog- Complete Marketing and Appointment Reminder system

[caravan]

I would agree with you on the amount of products on the site. Through tweaking the look of the site and the on the page optimisation, I've managed to increase traffic for the main keywords which we are looking to target. Many of these have achieved first page on google within 2 weeks which is an excellent result unfortunately these aren't converting into sales.

Having re-looked at the site I would agree that offering a broader range of styles and colours would give potential customers more choice and more chance of a sales conversion. A valid point which I'll pass onto the client.

[danners]

You could submit to various directories - not much will bring traffic I doubt but good for link building and anchor text:
see LIST: High Ranking Directories and Indices

[Tony_V]

caravan,
what shopping cart script are you using?
Im with danners- submit to many directorys, including dmoz for higher inbound relevant links. Also you might have a look at Google Base, or is that 'froogle now?'

I recently found a free ecommerce site that might help spreading out your site on the net called ecrater.com

[caravan]

I'm not sure what shopping cart has been used on the site. We are working with something produced by another company and have been asked to help increase traffic and sales to the site.

I've addressed quite a few layout, coding and on-the-page issues which has improved the sites functionality and rankings. I've also submitted to Google, Yahoo, MSN, setup XML sitemaps, a Google base account, submitted to dmoz and a few other search directories. I've also asked the client to look into opening an ebay and amazon account.

I'll have a look at the suggestions put forward but think the main issue with the site is the limited choice of products.

[nipplecharms1]

Originally Posted by Tony_V

I recently found a free ecommerce site that might help spreading out your site on the net called ecrater.com

Tony, we looked into this site. it sucks frankly. Unless your items are one of a kind.. no size difference, no color difference, no any difference, its sorta ok. But you cannot use any HTML on ecrater nor can you name the pages. Personally I would say its a level 4 platform at best.

Good luck tho and let us know how you make out.

Michael

[nipplecharms1]

Originally Posted by caravan

I've also asked the client to look into opening an ebay and amazon account.

Not a big fan of Etay... I think it diminishes your brand.

I have worked extensively on Amazon. If anyone needs help, I am for hire!

That said, Amazon is nice until you become a big player on their platform. Then they have a tendency to cannibalize products that do well. REMEMBER... Amazon knows what sells on Amazon. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that once you have a winner, they will then begin to sell it themselves. Just a piece of advice.

Good luck, let us know how you make out.

Michael

[apwade]

If you are interested, i run a shopping portal for the uk and abroad, i will advertise you site for free if you give me a backlink.

Andrew