Issue 64, November 10, 1999
Theme: Learning about Your Site Visitors, Part 2
This article contains older information. Go here for newer information on miscellaneous Internet marketing strategies.
This issue goes out to 78,965 subscribers around the world. We never send unsolicited e-mail. Following last week's theme of learning about your website visitors, you'll find two articles, one on HitBox, and the other on how to develop an effective online survey.
In the US we're celebrating Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks. It's a day that the early Pilgrim settlers celebrated in thanks to God for their blessings in a new land. Of the original Mayflower passengers, less than half survived the first winter, but they gave thanks anyway -- a real example to us. You can read some articles I've written to get you in the Thanksgiving spirit at http://www.joyfulheart.com/holiday/thanksgiving.htm
HitBox.com - The Lazy Person's Traffic Log
HitBox.com is a quick way for your to learn about your site without ever touching a logfile. Take a look at the pros and cons. Read the Article.
7 Keys to Developing an Effective E-Survey
Joanne Gucwa, president of Technology Management Associates, guides us through the important elements of preparing an effective online survey. Read the article.
Book Review: Internet Marketing Goldmine
Marty Foley's Internet Marketing Goldmine offers lots of practical tips to help a small business entrepeneur set up a successful Web business. Read the Review.
Battery Dead? Need a Jump?
You turn the key in your car's ignition, and all you get is a click -- or no sound at all. Your battery's dead. It always seems to happen when you're in a hurry, late for an appointment. To get going you'll need a jump-start. Hook up heavy-duty cables to your battery. Now turn the key and your engine turns over and catches. Vroom! You're ready to go.
E-commerce can feel the same way. You're dead in the water. You need to do hours and hours of research to know where to begin. And then WHO CAN YOU REALLY BELIEVE? What if your ignorance leads to serious errors? Lost money?
That's where a paid subscription to Web Commerce Today comes in handy. We've been DOING e-commerce since 1995, and setting up stores for clients. I know where the landmines are. I know the important decision points.
Your subscription to Web Commerce Today includes ALL THE BACK ISSUES, a tremendous treasure trove that will get you up-to-speed immediately on all the important e-commerce issues. You'll be able to begin -- quickly and confidently.
Do you need an E-COMMERCE JUMPSTART? Subscribe today to Web Commerce Today -- only $49.95 annually, with ALL THE BACK ISSUES online. Subscribe today for an immediate jumpstart! http://www.wilsonweb.com/wct/?wmt64
E-Mail to the Editor
A Little Respect for Affiliates
"I have run semi-related and content specific affiliate programs, and the content specific programs work the best by a landslide. I believe the biggest downfall of affiliate programs is the lack of respect the merchants are showing the affiliates. Affiliate programs are great for the merchants; free branding, and very little cost of sales, but can be costly to the affiliates; visitors clicking off site, and reduction in web site performance from added code/banners. Merchants, especially ones dealing in a niche or small market, will have to start increasing payout rates, or risk losing affiliates." -- Kent Courtice, Sportbike Online www.sportbikeonline.com
Too Tough on Affinia
You shouldn't be so tough on Affinia. They pay per click-through, not per sale. So for example with Amazon, I am trading 15 cents per click-through against 15% of a potential sale (say $3). So I need better than 1 in 20 customers to buy that book to make it better than the click-through model. It will probably happen, but the difference between the two is not nearly as dramatic as you make out.
Affinia claims that you get 50%, and they get 50% of the royalties. Currently they only seem to have a click-through pricing, but they talk about sales commissions too so that is probably coming (it is much easier for them to measure click-through). So while it is not as good per item as a direct relationship with the seller, it is not unreasonable. -- Stephen Tyler, Canon Information Systems Research Australia www.research.canon.com.au/
Sample newsletter. We respect your privacy and never sell or rent our subscriber lists. Subscribing will not result in more spam! I guarantee it!