Computers on the Farm Conference

Melody Wagler of Eikermann Advisors from Hermann, Missouri discussed online marketing possibilities. Wagler demonstrated how she utilizes Microsoft bCentral Commerce Manager to manager online shopping on websites that she maintains. She also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of PayPal, eBay, and VeriSign. In conclusion, knowing the needs of the web audience that you are trying to reach was Waglers biggest advice. She presented a handout during her presentation, which is outlined below.

Microsoft bCentral Commerce Manager

Features

• View and manage your listings by product or marketplace
• Online tools help you track sales and pending orders
• Set up tax and shipping tables to provide up-to-date information for orders
• Custom reports show you the number of orders per buyer and sales histories, as well as real-time tracking of current bids, and number of items available
• Start with Web page templates, and customize them with your own logo and theme (can use Microsoft FrontPage to edit)
• Orders e-mailed directly to you
• Support - Live Chat, Online Help, Phone (charge)

Cost
$24.95/month or $249.00/year

Example
http://www.swissmeats.com

More Information
http://www.bcentral.com/products/cm/default.asp?LID=32562

PayPal

Features

• Shopping Carts - Convenient HTML interface for simple site integration
• Instant availability of funds - directly deposited into your account
• Accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, eChecks
• Fraud and chargeback protection
• International payments from 38 countries
• Orders e-mailed directly to you
• Support - Online Help, e-mail

Cost
No set-up or monthly fees
Fees 2.9% of transaction (US dollars) starting - 2.2% if large volume

Example
http://www.jwhitneysnow.com

More Information
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/sell/index-outside

eBay

Features

• Ability to set Starting Price (minimum amount)
• List for 3 - 10 days. If not sold, can list again.
• List immediately or set start date
• Add pictures and counters
• Receive payments with PayPal, money order, cashiers check, personal check, cash on delivery (COD)

Cost

• An insertion fee. This fee is between 30 cents and $3.30, depending on your opening bid.
• A Final Value (final sale price) fee at the end of your auction. This fee generally ranges from 1.50% to 5.25% of your final sale price.

More Information
http://pages.ebay.com/help/sellingtips.html

Other information

VeriSign
http://www.verisign.com

For $9/month, you can get:

• 5-page web site
• 2 e-mailboxes - send e-mail from you@domainname.com
• Easy to use design tools - no html needed
• Includes web site hosting
• Free 24/7 customer support

Search Engines

Some Search Engines require you to register with them before your website will show up in their results. Others search the html of your website for keywords.

There are companies that you can pay a yearly fee to sign up your website with search engines.

• Domain name registrars (i.e. VeriSign)
• Internet service providers
• Microsoft bCentral