General Discussion

[#1]

Hi Everyone

Wondering if anyone feels like sharing a bit about what they find most challenging about being online?

We are interested in using this forum to address topics that are most important to our clients, especially those using MYOB Atlas.

We have the Atlas Ideas page to tell us what you'd like to see Atlas do in the future, and the 'Most Viewed' section of the Learning Centre gives an indication of where more instruction would make it easier... but what topics (big or small) could you really use some expert help with?

Don't be afraid to tell it like it is! Most of us are fairly new to this online world and there's always something more to learn.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[#2]

I think the hardest thing about being on line, to a complete novice,is marketing. Sites like eBay are easy as they have their own marketing which brings people to the site. I have heard so many stories about how much people spend on marketing to make very few sales. Where is the right place to start with out spending thousands of dollars? Google adwords is good but I still havent much success there.Maybe I am using it wrong. I have achieved some followers on Facebook but they are not sales.A lot of online businesses use spam type advertising. I really dont know if that just annoys people or attracts sales.Do I start advertising in publications or is that just an expensive idea?

I would welcome some tips on effective low cost marketing. I achieved my first sale on my Myob atlas site over the weekend. I would like this to be the first of many.

[#3]

Hi craftynanny

Congratulations on your first Atlas sale! The first of many I hope

I think you've hit the nail on the head, bringing up the topic of marketing. It's definitely a big challenge, especially for small businesses, wanting to try new things.

We will spend all of February next year (2012) talking about Online Marketing and we'll bring some experts in to give some tips and ideas on what works.

So, keep an eye out, there'll be a few things happening here on the ol' Atlas Community Forum (including competitions).

Any other thoughts out there in cyber land, Atlas-ers?

[#4]

The hardest parts I find are;

A. keeping the site up to date - as in having the time to dedicate to making sure that the "news" section is up to date and as I sell stuff on the site and on eBay making sure that the stock is available for sale and not sell out.

B. getting more traffic to the site! there are a million and one ways including Google adwords etc, but when you're starting up the free ways are ususally the first stop. I live in QLD and the the State Govt has a small buisness website that has loads of info including webinars for all sort of things including SEO - search engine optimisation. Check your state govt web sites and google free SEO and see what comes up. Beware though - there a only about a thousand different things you can do!!

Websites take a lot of work but the atlas site is a good entry point. A friend of mine is rebranding with a new site and other stuff at a cost of about $150k!!!!

Bottom line is that the more you put in the more you get back

[#5]

That will be great Emma,I am looking forward to it. I have listed in a few free sites like 'true local',and I think the Google shopping addition is a great idea.

[#6]

Yes that is the case the more you spend the better the rewards and the keeping up to date is a problem but we will get there.I also sell on eBay still and use that as an advertising platform by including leaflets in the packages but it is slow progress. Thank you for the tip on state govt small business info I will look that up as well.

[#7]

I would have to agree with cafe racer's (A), i am in the process of testing how i can keep my products up to date with what i can get and what 

i cant get any more before i advertise, its going to be a pain, but i will manage. (i plan on having about 300 products for sale).

As for getting customers to my site, i am printing out around 1000 flyers that i will personally hand post in my area. I was also told the the local post office will include my flyer in the local paper for around 11-16 cents per flyer, perhaps others could try that also.

SaBSoFTaRT.CoM.aU

[#8]

Thanks for your input here SaBSoFTaRT, Caferacer and Craftynanny. You each raise some excellent topics for us to discuss further and perhaps drill an expert over!

We are going to reach out again, for more questions people have about online marketing. I'll put forward what you guys have already mentioned in the above posts, as a starting point.

I'll keep you posted on when the marketing expert will be available for some forum chit chat.

[#9]

As well as all the other responses..my other biggest challenge is keeping it personal. I do a market every Sunday where i can meet the people (and their dogs) purchasing the product. Most of them have told me they come back because they can have a chat with me, bring their dog down for a little taste test etc...

I try and offer great customer service to my customers when an order comes in... sending them an email straight away to let them know when they can expect the product and then again when the product has been shipped. I still find this a little impersonal but don't know other ways i can combat this. I think customer service is essential to any business and it is a HUGE focus with mine. Any tips to help/improve this would be great

[#10]

Hi craftynanny! 

I'm Sarah, MYOB Atlas' Product Marketer. I have a few low-cost, high impact online marketing tips for you. 

1. Optimise your Atlas website. Your website looks great! But here are a few easy things you can do to improve the users' experience: 

a. Change your theme to Galaxy. You always want the user to immediately see the products you are selling without having to scroll down (this is called "above the fold." Galaxy highlights up to 6 featured items on your home page at a time. 

b. Try to update something on your site every week or two. The easiest way to do this is through news or by linking your social media content. Believe it or not, updating your website gets Google's attention in terms of search results. The more you update your website, the higher your ranking in Google search results. There is more information under the 'Be found with Google'  button in the Atlas admin tool. 

c. Think about what words customers use to describe your business. Make sure you use those words as often as possible on your website (within reason, of course). This helps Google better understand exactly what you do, which also helps you appear more relevant to potential customers looking for crafting options. 

d. If you can, create a banner. You'll be amazed at how this transforms the look and feel of your website. 

2. Google AdWords really can work. But the real secret is that you can ring them up, ask for an optimisation, and they'll set up your campaign(s), keywords, targeting, etc for you to meet your goals. This optimisation is of no additional cost to you, except your time to give them a ring and discuss your goals.

3. Make sure you are listed on Google Places as well as other local and online review sites. Not only is this free/low-cost solution putting your website right where people are looking crafting options, but the more links you have to your website, again the more your website gets Google's attention and increases your ranking in Google search.

4. Include your website in any communications or other marketing collateral that you print, including your business card. 

5. Use Facebook to drive engagement and build awareness of your business. I would look at investing in a contest for your existing customers. In Victoria, why not have a 'Crazy Footy Craft Cubby' competition on Facebook where users create and submit pictures of their best 'footy' craft in order to enter. (You should be able to find a pretty standard legal terms and conditions for the competition.) Your own Facebook fans can 'like' the photo they think should win - and the person with the most likes wins. Maybe make the prize 2 footy tickets. Believe it or not, when your Facebook fans post photos, their network should be able to see it and they'll encourage their network to vote. It is something small that really works! And you can promote different footy crafting products on Facebook at the same time. In my experience, this is the best way to use social networks. 

6. Make sure you use Site Stats in Atlas. That way you can see if your website traffic increases and better understand how to use your marketing time and money to maximize your results. 

I hope that helps! 

Sarah E.