|
|
| Information |
|
|
Selling Merchandise On Your Website
If you take away poker, dating, and naked ladies, custom merchandising is the big success story of the Internet. The ultimate combination of e-commerce and affiliate marketing, millions of websites around the world turn to online merchandising companies - both to market their URL and to extract some cash from loyal visitors. The key to the success of the industry is on-demand printing, meaning website owners don't usually incur setup costs and do not have to carry inventory. The business model usually works like this. The webmaster signs up for free - or for a small monthly fee - at the merchandising company site. Having uploaded his/her own designs - often logos, catchphrases or drawings, the webmaster can then place these designs on the range of products offered by the merchandiser. Usually, the merchandise company places a base price on each product, to which the webmaster adds his/her own commission or markup. In some cases, the webmaster can then create a shop which can be integrated into their own site. The merchandising company normally handles credit-card processing, printing, shipping, and customer service while the webmaster incurs the slightly less arduous task of collecting and banking the commissions. Beginning to see why its so popular? Let's have a look at some of the industry's big players: Cafepress The daddy of the bunch. Founded in 1999 in California, Cafepress was one of the first companies to exploit the massive custom merchandise market. It now sells products on behalf of over 2 million website owners, mainly in the USA. For all its longevity and wide reach, Cafepress has yet to solve many of the original problems that still bother its users. Despite the clamour from customers, the company has yet to find a way to offer black, or even dark, garments - still relying on the old white and grey staples and a rather odd collection of pastels. Nor has the company embraced internationalisation, and website owners outside of the USA still baulk at hefty shipping charges and US Dollar pricing. The free Cafepress service offers limited functionality to users, with only one version of each product allowed. For a monthly fee, Cafepress allows unlimited selling. However, excessive branding makes it rather difficult to integrate the Cafeshop into the look and feel of an existing site. Zazzle Another California-based company that launched a similar service to Cafepress in 2003 and has a substantial share of the US market. Again pricing is only available in US Dollars. And while Zazzle's range of garment colours is stronger than Cafepress, printing on black or dark shirts is still not supported. Zazzle does not charge a monthly fee but webmasters will find it rather more difficult to integrate their shop into the look and feel of their own site. Spreadshirt This one looks interesting. Spreadshirt was founded in Germany in 2002 and boasts over 60,000 partners across Europe, winning the Hewlett Packard Business Innovation Award in 2004. Unlike its American competitors, Spreadshirt caters for both European and US customers, using regional shipping companies and allowing webmasters to price products in Euros, Sterling, or US Dollars. Shops can also be automatically translated into eight languages. Spreadshirt has also solved the thorny "black shirt" issue, offering over 50 products in a full range of colours. However, it's probably the different printing options that sets the service apart. In particular, Spreadshirt's "flock" printing - creating a raised felt finish - produces a result much more impressive than regular digital print. Finally, hats off to Spreadshirt for managing to keep its branding on the product but still allow webmasters full control over the look and feel of their shops. Already a dominant force in the European market, Spreadshirt could be set to give Cafepress a run for their money in the US. Spreadshirt USSpreadshirt UK EShirt EShirt is another European company - this time Italian-based - providing an almost-identical product range to Cafepress ie no dark shirts. Euro, US Dollar and Sterling pricing is available. However, the only print option available is digital hot press printing - not the longest lasting technique. The most inconvenient aspect of EShirt's service is shop integration. You must register as a Tradedoubler affiliate before you can even apply for an EShirt shop. And even then, it is not possible to recreate the look and feel of your own site. Suzanne Power is the editor of GrandWebDesigns.com
Latest News:Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news Myanmar's Suu Kyi to get family letters, news mags (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has managed to wring small concessions from the ruling generals in the form of letters from her family and some international news magazines, her lawyer said on Friday. JCDecaux in talks for News Outdoor Group in Russia (AP via Yahoo! News) French outdoor advertising firm JCDecaux SA said Thursday it is negotiating to buy Russian rival News Outdoor Group from global media company News Corp. News Corp tightens grip on Premiere with new CEO (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Rupert Murdoch tightened his grip on German pay-TV broadcaster Premiere by appointing News Corp executive Mark Williams as CEO in a move to get the company back on track. SEC Looks Into UAL Stock Scare; Implications For Online News? (CBS News) A ton of digits have been devoted to this in other spots but the SEC's decision to investigate takes it to another level. The backstory: a six-year-old news story about UAL declaring bankruptcy made it into the Tribune-owned Sun-Sentinel 's current news flow, was picked up by a Google (NSDQ: GOOG) News bot and, via a reporter for a newsletter, made it onto Bloomberg News. After a lot of buck ... JCDecaux and News Corp. in talks to combine outdoor ad groups (International Herald Tribune) The News Corp. chief executive, Rupert Murdoch, has recently expressed nervousness about investments in Russia, where News Outdoor generated the bulk of its revenue last year. Asia Markets: Financials in rally mode, as Lehman news helps (Market Watch) Asian markets advanced early Friday, with financials such as Mizuho Financial Group and Macquarie Group rallying after a rebound on Wall Street and on news Lehman Brothers was looking for a buyer. SEC Looks Into UAL Stock Scare; Implications For Online News? (paidContent.org via Yahoo! Finance) A ton of digits have been devoted to this in other spots but the SEC's decision to investigate takes it to another level. The backstory: a six-year-old news story about UAL declaring bankruptcy made it into the Tribune-owned Sun-Sentinel's current news flow, was picked up by a Google News bot and, via a reporter for a newsletter, made it onto Bloomberg News. News Corp says Mark Williams interim Premiere CEO (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp. executive Mark Williams has taken over as chief executive of German pay-TV broadcaster Premiere in an interim capacity, News Corp. said after the move led to renewed takeover speculation. News Corp. says Mark Williams interim Premiere CEO (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Mark Williams, a News Corp. executive named late on Wednesday as chief executive of German pay-TV broadcaster Premiere, has taken over in an interim capacity, a News Corp. spokeswoman said on Thursday. JCDecaux in talks to buy News Corp. billboard unit (AP via Yahoo! Finance) In a deal that would create the world's largest outdoor advertising company, French conglomerate JCDecaux SA said Thursday that it is in talks to buy Russian rival News Outdoor Group from global media company News Corp. Site: news - Google News Palm Shares Soar As New Smartphone Wins Wall Street Praise - CNNMoney.com
MORE RESOURCES: Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for affiliate revenue Top 1,000 Shoppers Will Share in 25% of Total Site Profit/Revenue (PRWeb) Top 1,000 shoppers will share in 25% of total profit generated by epricesearch.com. Internet entrepreneur Kevin Adams of Dallas, Texas provides a fundamentally better way for consumers to shop. A new website set to change the way internet advertising revenue is distributed by giving a large portion back to the shoppers/members. (PRWeb Sep 11, 2008) Read the full story at ... Top 1,000 Shoppers Will Share in 25% of Total Site Profit/Revenue (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) Top 1,000 shoppers will share in 25% of total profit generated by epricesearch.com. Internet entrepreneur Kevin Adams of Dallas, Texas provides a fundamentally better way for consumers to shop. A new website set to change the way internet advertising revenue is distributed by giving a large portion back to the shoppers/members. AsiaTiv Offers White Label Affiliate Program for Travel Partners (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) AsiaTiv.com, a highly popular hotel reservations portal offering a lowest rate guarantee, has announced that it is now taking an even more active role in its goal of helping its clients to succeed by providing a high-performance room reservation system built on a foundation of flexibility and scalability through a new affiliate program offering fully managed white label services. Fitch Rates $90MM ThedaCare, Inc. (Wisconsin) 2008 Bonds 'AA-'; Outlook Stable (Centre Daily Times) Fitch Ratings has assigned an 'AA-' underlying rating to approximately $90 million of Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority revenue bonds, series 2008, issued on behalf of ThedaCare, Inc. (ThedaCare). Additionally, Fitch assigns an 'AA-' underlying rating to approximately $175 million of outstanding revenue bonds issued on behalf of ThedaCare. The Rating Outlook is Stable. Fitch Rates $123.270MM Oklahoma Capital Improvement Auth State Facilities VRDBs 2006D 'AA-/F1+' (Centre Daily Times) Fitch Ratings assigns a rating of 'AA-/F1+' to the $123,270,000 Oklahoma Capital Improvement Authority state facilities revenue bonds (Higher Education Projects) multi-modal variable rate demand, series 2006D, consisting of: Fitch Rates NCMC's (Colorado) $55.5MM Revs 'A+'; Outlook Stable (Centre Daily Times) Fitch Ratings has assigned an 'A+' underlying rating to the Colorado Health Facilities Authority's approximately $55.5 million hospital revenue bonds (NCMC, Inc. Project) series 2008A&B. The 2008A&B bonds are expected to sell via negotiation during the week of Oct. 14 and will be issued as variable-rate demand bonds backed by a letter of credit. In addition, Fitch has affirmed the underlying ... Fitch Confirms Intermountain Power Agency VRBs, Ser 85E & F Maturing 2014 & 2015 'AA-/F1+' (Centre Daily Times) Fitch Ratings confirms the 'AA-/F1+' rating assigned to the Intermountain Power Agency (IPA) variable rate power supply revenue and refunding bonds, 1985 series E maturing July 1, 2014, and variable rate power supply revenue and refunding bonds, 1985 series F maturing July 1, 2015. The confirmation of the rating is in connection with a substitution of the standby bond purchase agreement (SBPA) ... Fitch Rates Indiana Municipal Power Agency's 2008A $30MM Rev Bonds 'A+'; Outlook Stable (Centre Daily Times) Fitch has assigned an 'A+' rating to Indiana Municipal Power Agency's (IMPA) $30 million power supply system revenue bonds, series 2008A. Fitch also affirmed the 'A+' rating on IMPA's $1 billion of outstanding parity power supply system revenue bonds. The 20-year fixed rate bonds are scheduled to price Sept. 25. Proceeds from the series 2007A bonds will fund capital improvements to IMPA's ... Fitch Rts $397MM AZ Health Fac Auth Revs (Banner Health), Series 2008 E-H 'AA+/F1+' (Centre Daily Times) Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AA+/F1+'rating to the following series of Arizona Health Facilities Authority revenue bonds (Banner Health) $124,195,000 weekly rate securities: Fitch Rates $90MM ThedaCare, Inc. (Wisconsin) 2008 Bonds 'AA-'; Outlook Stable (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance) NEW YORK----Fitch Ratings has assigned an 'AA-' underlying rating to approximately $90 million of Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority revenue bonds, series 2008, issued on behalf of ThedaCare, Inc. . Site: affiliate revenue - Google News A Detailed Look at the Ties Between MLB, MiLB, and Independent Leagues - The Biz of Baseball
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Reselling - Money On The Side The other night I had dinner with a friend who mentioned knowing quite a few people needing websites for their local businesses. Despite being a software engineer, my friend is not a web designer nor does he know enough about servers to actually host (store) websites. Affiliate Communication Communication is Key!When building an affiliate network communicating with affiliates is important for merchants to maintain a good relationship. An affiliate's web site targets visitors, who may not necessarily view a merchant's web site, and therefore expands a merchants market. How to Join Affiliate Programs - Affiliate Marketing The first thing you may be wondering before you join an affiliate program is how much is it going to cost you? Well most of them are free to join! Affiliate marketing can be a great way to earn a little bit of extra cash on the side and some people actually make a full-time living from it. And you have some guru's in the affiliate marketing industry that will earn more then the average person in one year compared to their 20 years. The Key to a Successful Affiliate Program Two Christmases ago I tugged on one of those paper crackersand after a small bang, out popped a piece of yellow paperthe size of a credit card.On one side was a riddle that didn't make much sense, buton the other side was an 'Inspirational Quote' that made alot of sense. Common Mistakes Made by Unsuccessful Affiliates A vast majority of successful online entrepreneurs are affiliates of successful websites on the net. This is what has continuously attracted many people into joining the ranks of affiliates. Making Money Online If you are a webmaster, you will see this everyday if you are searching for a profit in the online world. Now I am not speaking of opening up a store or selling something. Secrets of Super Affiliate Most affiliate program owners say 80% of their affiliate sales come from 20% of affiliates. Here is the difference between top 20% affiliates and the rest. How to Create Multiple Streams of Income, Part 2 A while back I wrote a little article called "My Vision of Multiple Streams of Income". After receiving several emails asking for a sequel and sharing more real life experience I decided to give an update on my journey with SFI and Stone Evans' PIPS system. Will the Online Quiz Make the Old Fashioned Printed Quiz Obsolete? Q. Can you tell me the benefits of publishing an online quiz versus a printed one?A. How To Make Niche Profits Without a Website You don't need to buy any "amazing new ebook" or a bunch of fancy software. You don't need to write hundreds of pages of content or hire someone to. Can You Succeed Marketing An Affiliate Based Program? Internet Marketing can be an enjoyable and profitable experience, but it can also be very frustrating, time consuming, money draining and anti social.So why do we keep putting ourselves through all this pain?Well, I'm sure that for everyone there is a different answer depending on your driving force, but for me it's the thought that one day I'll succeed and make a tidy income. Is There Any Money On Over Saturated Markets? Well that depends ultimately on you! Let me explain?I have tackled a few over-saturated markets that are just splattered everywhere on the internet and at first when I tried I pretty much failed miserably. You wanna know why?Because I was doing EXACTLY what every other bloody Tom, Dick and Harry was doing? I was trying to promote products that were already being marketed the exact same way everyone else did! I took the obvious trail that most others do!But of course I wasn't going to give up without a battle - I had to put my thinking cap on, I knew there had to be a way so I didn't give up! I got creative and looked for ways to promote these products that sell so well (Heck who doesn't want to sell a product that people jump at right?)Here is what I did? I started marketing these products tactfully in other niche's I had. Five Knockout Affiliate Tips Here are five "hook em in the jaw" affiliate tips that reallywork. Implement them and see how well they work for you. Affiliate Programs - Are They A Business For You? Many people look at affiliate programs as one of the easiest and best ways to start a profitable online business. The reasons for this are you don't have to worry about having your own product, collecting the money, shipping, or customer service. 5 Magical Steps For Creating A Profitably Potent Affiliate Program! There are a few reasons why your affiliate program isn't bringing in the traffic and profits you've always hoped for. And below, I've outlined 5 quick ways to change that so you can get more traffic and profits using the power of "super" affiliates. Online Business Entrepreneur? What You Must Know About Your Affiliates As an on-line business entrepreneur it is your job to bring affiliates into your down line. But that's an oversimplification of what your job really is. How to Monetize a Free Website For some time now I have been aggressively marketing my Geocitieswebsite without the prospect of any financial return. The siteis content based so I did not expect to generate any productsales and neither was I able to lure potential sponsors. Why 95% of Affiliate Websites Lose Money - And To Avoid The Pitfalls Affiliate marketing is an agreement between two websites in which one site (the affiliate) sends traffic to another site by means of advertising or content.In return, the affiliate receives a percentage of sales generated. Keeping Your Sub-Affiliates From Quitting One of the biggest if not the leading problem for internet marketers is keeping your affiliates from quitting. The time and effort that has been put forth to get your affiliates can seem like a waste of time if soon after joining your program they either opt-out or become inactive. Affiliates Go To School! It has been said that only 2% of affiliate marketers ever make any "real" money from their efforts. The rest struggle and flounder as they see most of their efforts fail.
|
| Home | Site Map | Resource Links |
