Bongo’s Techie Friday: i’m Smartwatch

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A smartphone is not enough? Then get a smartwatch, too! While all the i’m Smartwatch needs is an Android 1.6 operating system, it features a music player and allows you to Facebook, Tweet, obtain weather forecasts, and also access its very own app store. Additionally, its Bluetooth connectivity allows you to use it alongside your smartphone. Available in several colors, made out of aluminum or even gold, this is definitely a luxury item with added functionality. We thought it looked good, too! Choose between 64MB and 128MB.

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Posted in International Shoppers | Tagged i'm Smartwatch, international shipping, mail forwarding, package forwarding, shop usa, smartwatch, US address | Leave a reply

Make Social Media Work for your Business; 2 Easy Steps

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Social Media is a great outlet for businesses to casually connect with customers. The uncertainty comes in when you have to figure out how to entertain and engage your customers so they continue to follow and communicate with you.

The two most important elements in gaining social media followers are alerting customers to the ability to keep up with the company via social media AND explaining the benefit(s) of their time spent listening to your message.

Make your social media presence known:

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Explain why your message is valuable to consumers:

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Get more great tips about social media campaigns from Small Biz Survival:
www.smallbizsurvival.com/2012/02/putting-social-media-icons-on-your.html#.TzqzIGfGnvc.email

Posted in Merchant Advice | Tagged bongo international, bongous, entrepreneurship, facebook, icons, marketing, small biz, small business, social media, tourism, Twitter, widgets | Leave a reply

Bongo’s Cool Pick of the Week: Home Brew Kit

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Ever dreamed of making your own brews? Start a home brewery with the Brooklyn Home Brew Kit! Whether your favorite is a pale ale, porter or saison, with one of these kits you can make the equivalent of 12 beers in four weeks. Package includes 1 Gallon Glass Fermenter, airlock, tubing, thermometer, tubing clamp, packet of sanitizer, stopper and blowoff attachment. The variety includes Everyday IPA, Chocolate Maple Porter, and Chestnut Brown Ale. Packaging Dimensions: 12″ H x 13.25″ W x 8.25″ D. Packaging Weight: 7 lbs.

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Posted in International Shoppers | Tagged beer making kit, Brooklyn Home Brew Kit, home brew, home brewery, international shipping, mail forwarding, package forwarding, shop usa, US address | Leave a reply

The Big Business behind Valentines Day for eCommerce

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When people think of Valentines Day, most of us think of romantic dinners, gorgeous bouquets of flowers, and even marriage proposals. The reality is that although sentiment is present for many people, Valentines Day is a business endeavor. And it’s a super profitable one for both brick and mortar retailers as well as eCommerce Merchants.

According to colderice eCommerce education the continued growth for merchants due to google searches for Valentines Day gifts has increased and “an anticipated $210 billion in web-influenced sales, with a 35 percent YOY increase in Valentine’s related searches,” has already occurred.

This graphic from Conductor supports the analysis provided by the insights report from Google and shows a breakdown of search engine traffic using 1700 keywords about Valentines Day organized by Geographical locations.

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Posted in Merchant Advice | Tagged business, Day Valentine, Google+, happy valentines day, Holidays, online search, Percentage, SEO, Valentine, Valentines day, valentines keywords | Leave a reply

Bongo’s Techie Friday: ZAGGfolio keyboard for tablets

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While we have featured other tablet cases (remember the Clamcase?), the ZAGGfolio keyboard is unique and will appeal to a different group of techies. Its minimalistic look and compact feel has the full functionality of a typical keyboard without the bulkiness. Doubling as a tablet cover, the ZAGGfolio also features a built-in stand and removable Bluetooth keyboard (uses a 510 mAh rechargeable lithium polymer battery, included). Available for several tablets (i.e. iPad, Galaxy) and in several colors, textures and designs, it is the perfect gift to any techie in your life! Product dimensions: 0.7 x 7.9 x 11.5 inches; 12.2 ounces. Shipping weight: Between one to 1.4 lbs.

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Posted in International Shoppers | Tagged international shipping, iPad case, iPad keyboard, mail forwarding, package forwarding, shop usa, Techie Fridays, US address, ZAGGfolio | Leave a reply

Business Plan Basics that Keep Customers Happy

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As a business-owner, what is an overall goal for your company?

Other than generating profit, the number 1 goal for business owners should be to make and keep customers happy. Although the current paths for Marketing have social media at the forefront, traditional techniques can still yield great results and should be utilized to enhance the internet experiences.

Through targeted “offline” efforts that include printable coupons, free or guest passes, Live Chat capability, and online scheduling tools that allow customers to book a future appointment while on your site, you can create a future call to action or more specifically an act you want your users to complete.

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Create a compelling call to action for customers on all media fronts using these techniques and watch your sales grow:
www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2012/01/27/how-to-drive-sales-offline-with-local-online-calls-to-action/

Posted in Merchant Advice | Tagged call to action, coupons, free pass, guest pass, live chat, marketing, offline marketing efforts, targeted marketing | Leave a reply

Bongo’s Cool Pick of the Week: Instant Wine Chiller

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Some special, surprise guests have arrived at home and, gasp! You have no chilled wine ready. Or worse: Your spouse simply thought that red wine should be served warm. Kiss all these scenarios goodbye with this instant wine chiller. The compact gadget turns your room-temperature bottle of wine to cellar-chilled (12 – 16 degrees Celsius) as you serve it — in seconds! Simply attach the wine chiller to the opened bottle, pour and drink (see the video above). Made of stainless steel (just like fermentation tanks). Product dimensions: 8.25″ L x 2.5″ W x 2.5″ D

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Posted in International Shoppers | Tagged foodies, instant wine chiller, international shipping, mail forwarding, package forwarding, shop usa, US address, wine, wine chiller | Leave a reply

Great eCommerce IT Tips from Forrester Research VP

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In a short conversation with Forrester Research VP Brian Walker, Shop.org takes a closer look at various stages of IT operations, stages of development for new product/sales launches, and how to stay on top of the functionality of your eCommerce cart and customer experience during high peak times.

As Walker explains, One of the main components of keeping your sites’ cart functioning properly is constant monitoring and testing. Citing Target’s 2011 Missoni incident, where during Fashion Week, Target released a limited edition line by Missoni and demand for the line crashed Target’s website; he elucidates that it is imperative to judge when to release huge changes and also to load test large shopping events prior to when the sale opens both on the site and in stores.

Read the short 7 question interview here for a wealth of information that can save your eCommerce store from a world of trial and tribulation by a true expert in the field:
blog.shop.org/2012/02/07/talking-with-forrester-research-vp-and-principal-analyst-brian-walker/

Posted in Merchant Advice | Tagged brian walker, forrester research, it/operations, load testing, replatforming, shop.org, target and missoni, website maintenance | Leave a reply

Bongo’s Techie Friday: Kobo eReader Touch

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eReader shopping and want more options besides the Kindle and Nook? Then you should check out Kobo’s new touchscreen eReader. While it has the same Pearl display that is on the Kindle, it has additional specs such as a built-in Merriam Webster dictionary, Wi-Fi reader, virtual keyboard and highlighting. Better yet? It is more like reading a real book, as you can “flip” the electronic pages at the flick of a finger on the screen. Somewhat of a hybrid between a standard e-reader and a tablet. Available in 4 colors: Silver, lilac, blue, or basic black. 6.5 ounce

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