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How to reach eCommerce Store Owners?

by lmeyers
15 replies
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I'm a programmer and recently launched an online product that could be useful to eCommerce sites, but not sure how to efficiently reach this group of site owners/managers. I know the eCommerce platform vendors have third-party marketplaces for extensions. Unfortunately my product is not tightly enough integrated to qualify for being third-party app vendor. So back to my question...how do I reach this group--email, forum participation, ppc, ads, cold calls?

I have watched a direct competitor be successful hiring direct sales force and raising their prices 20x. I would prefer to keep my prices reasonable, but need to find cost effective way to accommodate that.

Any suggestions very appreciated.

PS If there are any high traffic eCommerce site owners that would like to try it as free beta user, please PM me. Thanks.
#ecommerce #owners #reach #site #store
  • Profile picture of the author massarogi
    I'm assuming the product is 'sidespur' which is in your sig?

    You should make an app for this for shopify. Get it in their directory and see if they'll promote it to their store owners. There is a similar product in their store already: Justuno Social Bribery so I'm not sure what you mean when you say your product is not tightly enough integrated to qualify.
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    • Profile picture of the author lmeyers
      Originally Posted by massarogi View Post

      I'm assuming the product is 'sidespur' which is in your sig?

      You should make an app for this for shopify. Get it in their directory and see if they'll promote it to their store owners. There is a similar product in their store already: Justuno Social Bribery so I'm not sure what you mean when you say your product is not tightly enough integrated to qualify.

      Interesting. I had been lead to believe products for directory inclusion had to integrate with their platform API, authentication system and payment gateway. Appears Justuno is standalone product with embed code similar to SideSpur. I will look into the partner programs with these various platforms again. Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author vivekamansamee
    Go to the your fav store and contact us page and contact the store owner...............
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    • Profile picture of the author lmeyers
      Originally Posted by vivekamansamee View Post

      Go to the your fav store and contact us page and contact the store owner...............
      Spent 4 hours doing just that, but only able to send 70 invites, got 2 trial sign-ups, and no paying customers as of yet. For a $10 product not sure the numbers will work.
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      • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
        Don't target the store owners. Target the developers (offliners that build the sites for them) and give them a bounty every month for implementing it.
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        • Profile picture of the author lmeyers
          Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

          Don't target the store owners. Target the developers (offliners that build the sites for them) and give them a bounty every month for implementing it.
          Agree that non-technical store owners are difficult to sell to and support. How can i reach eCommerce developers? On home page under pricing I have reference to developers. Maybe need to make that more explicit and refocus copy on technical user.
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          • Profile picture of the author firebringer
            Guestposts - on blogs like ecommercefuel, shopify blog etc would help you reach power users and early adopters. It would be the best long term strategy but it is - long term.

            This could be of help - Andrew from ecommercefuel talks about how he managed to get a guest post up on the shopify blog and how it helped him (traffic + new subcribers) http://www.shopify.com/blog/6956586-...#axzz2QWnetjbW

            Have you considered ad buys? Either display ads on forums/websites related to ecommerce, dropshipping etc or solo ads from list owners. I know the product is a USD 10 product - but it could work (and scale well) while you keep building organic traffic.
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            • Profile picture of the author lmeyers
              Great advice. Thanks. I did run a display ad through Adwords (not very effective), but I will try ad with direct placement on targeted sites.

              Originally Posted by firebringer View Post

              Guestposts - on blogs like ecommercefuel, shopify blog etc would help you reach power users and early adopters. It would be the best long term strategy but it is - long term.

              This could be of help - Andrew from ecommercefuel talks about how he managed to get a guest post up on the shopify blog and how it helped him (traffic + new subcribers) Stalker's Guide to Effective Guest Blogging | How to Submit a Guest Post | Guest Blog Guidelines

              Have you considered ad buys? Either display ads on forums/websites related to ecommerce, dropshipping etc or solo ads from list owners. I know the product is a USD 10 product - but it could work (and scale well) while you keep building organic traffic.
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      • Profile picture of the author CynthiaAngel
        Originally Posted by lmeyers View Post

        Spent 4 hours doing just that, but only able to send 70 invites, got 2 trial sign-ups, and no paying customers as of yet. For a $10 product not sure the numbers will work.

        You could try out sourcing it. Find someone on odesk to compile the email addresses and send the emails to store owners(make sure each email is targeted to that specific store owner)

        Then you can follow up with a call.

        At least that should free you up to focus on other avenues
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  • Profile picture of the author webrankingservices
    Banned
    Probably we can catch up and discuss, maybe i could help
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  • Profile picture of the author Frankie B Frank
    Not directly related to ecommerce, but have you looked at re-targeting (ads) for people who have visited your site?
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