Update: Froogle has been since been renamed Google Shopping.
Businesses with a tangible product to sell have access to some handy tools on the Internet that can make service industry business owners quite jealous.
Case in point: Froogle.
In case you haven’t heard of it, Froogle is Google’s answer to online bargain searching. If a determined fashionista uses Google’s product search to locate designer sunglasses, suddenly 10 of the best online prices from various sellers appear. The listings are displayed according to certain featured vendors and individuals who are selling that specific product. So how does one get into this amazing database? Just fill out a form. And – drum roll – it’s free!
Branching out: eBay.
Yes, that’s right, I said it – eBay. No, it’s not just a garage sale; it’s a huge community of buyers and sellers. For a quick way to market your store, try listing a couple of items from last season’s inventory at a low price. Take advantage of the ad copy and make sure you brand it with your store name, logo, and information about your store location and main website (be sure to check eBay’s rules so your ad does not appear to be “spam”). If the first sale generates a new loyal customer, you may experience repeat sales from that person to your company website, to other eBay listings, or even to your local storefront.
Feature your featured.
Always remember to really showcase those special products – the ones that you most want to sell right now. Here are several ways that you can push the product into the spotlight:
- Feature a bold photo and description of the product on your homepage with a direct link to the page where it is purchased.
- Add new products to a “Featured” section of your site.
- Send an email newsletter to your subscribers describing these great items.
- Send all of your subscribers a coupon toward that special item, good for a limited time.
- Send out press releases to media websites in your area and in your genre/industry announcing the latest inventory.