Dear asknet community,
„Be resourceful in restructuring IT to raise its productivity and agility, because the business will not reduce its demand for IT just because you have fewer resources,” says Gartner CIO survey 2009. „Modernize the technical infrastructure, as new technologies offer lower cost, use less energy, deliver better performance and provide greater capacity; the business will need all of these in the immediate future.”
At our annual User Council taking place in Barcelona we discussed trends in the Digital Marketplace with some of our customers. We received constructive feedback which has been incorporated in our roadmap to accelerate your future eSales.
For those asknet customers that could not attend our User Council the account management team is going to share the information and results with you. If you are not yet an asknet customer, but interested in the topics mentioned below, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Sales Team at sales@asknet.com.
Best regards
Gerald Prior
CEO
1. eCommerce Trends – asknet User Council 2009
Failed banks, massive credit crunches, job losses, and lower consumer confidence characterize the current macro economy. In May 2009, eMarketer ran an article based on a study that showed US online retail sales on average were up 11% in Q1 2009. Looking forward, however, the projection for online sales in 2009 does not appear so rosy. After years of unbroken growth, eMarketer forecasts that continued recessionary pressure will cause online sales to actually contract in 2009 – by 0.4%.
eMarketer projects that from 2011 to 2013 online sales will rebound to double-digit growth. In the meantime, even in the trough of the economy, there are opportunities for online retailers. „Online retailers that can fill the void with superior customer service, rich product information and greater Shopping conveniences have a chance to win new customers for life.” In addition, even as consumers are reining in spending, they are increasingly researching purchases online.
The good news is that despite the overall economic slow-down, net advertising and eCommerce companies will continue to see secular shifts online and the internet will continue to be one of the fastest growing sectors. Which services can you offer in such tough economic times to continue to grow your online business?
1.a Quo vadis eCommerce?
The findings from a variety of analyst reports combined with the asknet digital index and trends conclude the following results:
- eCommerce growth rate 2009 will remain flat or slightly negative in all major regions – NA, EMEA, APAC
- eCommerce growth rates will recover faster than growth rates in traditional channels
- Percentage of online sales compared to total sales will increase
- Multiple eCommerce channels to serve in the future – increasing complexity for SW vendors (presentation, pricing, margin)
- Number and strength of rules will increase – e.g. PCI certification, Sales Tax, SOX compliance, etc.
To hear our suggestions as to how to fight those tough times and upcoming risks and complexities please contact us at marketing@asknet.com
1.b Global Reach and Markets
In the Digital Marketplace emerging markets remain an interesting way to increase revenue. The market entry barriers are lower when selling digital goods versus physical goods. An asknet team of native speakers researched the potential of emerging markets in Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe. Their reports were put into whitepapers and presented during our annual User Council.
asknet clients can contact their account managers to receive their free copy.
If you are not yet an asknet customer, please contact sales@asknet.com
1.c Channel efficiency
In times when revenues remain flat or even decrease it is important to look at cost structure. There are ways to optimize channel efficiencies while looking at manual processes and automizing them. asknet offers integrated channel efficiency solutions:
- Automate to streamline operational efficiency
- Simplify and consolidate back end processes, sales and commission strategy
- Standardize prices and product strategy in the offline and online channel
- Direct traffic to vendor shopping cart where possible
- Eliminate buying barriers for high price products by introducing subscription models
- Focus in-house sales force on higher value sales opportunities
For more information please contact your account manager or sales@asknet.com
1.d Trends in Communities / Social Media Marketing
Many marketers seem to know what Social Marketing is all about but articulating a clear definition can be challenging. Social Media is best defined as the 4 C´s: online tools that permit users to create Content, within a given Context, to help establish Connections and engage in Conversations or short: Content, Context, Connection and Conversations, says Tom Pick Webmarket-Central blogger.
But how could enterprises use this communication channel? Where are examples of Social Media Formats and Platforms? Why and where should enterprises participate in Social Media? What are the best tactics and benefits of Social Media? How can marketers measure the effectiveness of Social Media?
If you want to learn more and read our overview on Social Media Marketing, please contact: marketing@asknet.com
asknet is using twitter! http://twitter.com/asknet
1.e Fully automated Subscription Management tailored to your customers needs?
Subscriptions remain a key topic as they are an effective way to help increase renewal ratesand customer lifecycle.
- Customer retention:
- Keep customers, grow loyalty
- Customer loyalty:
- Long term recurring revenue
- Increase average order value:
- Upgrade to higher priced products
- Reduce handling costs:
- Automate processes
- Predictable revenue stream:
- Recurring payments
- Sell high price products online as subscription:
- Reduce inside sales costs
⇒ Higher conversion rates
The asknet subscription management system can help you in many areas:
- Integrate with you SaaS, Server, Client, Community, service agreements and other subscription based services
- Run manual and automatic recurring billing
- Match security requirements
- Match legal requirements
- Create a long term customer relationship
For more information please contact your asknet Account Manager or if you are not an asknet customer yet, please contact sales@asknet.com.
1.f Customer Lifecycle Management
On average it is five to seven times more expensive to acquire new customers than building relationships by upselling to existing ones.
The AIDA model is applicable to all marketers, but how does selling digital goods online fit into that model?
- Attention:
- Advertising, Search, Social Marketing through Communities
- Interest:
- website visits, whitepaper download, product search, PriceComparison portals
- Desire:
- Trial download, Premium Trial, add product to cart
- Action / asknet:
- Conversion / Purchase
From AIDA to AIDaS or AIDaR:
In a lot of industries nowadays an S for „Satisfied” or R for „Repeating” is added to the classic AIDA model. And that should be our common goal: to increase the customer lifetime value and to change one-time buyers into repeating customers by offering subscriptions, renewals, updates, up sell, peer-to-peer etc.
There are many opportunities to maximize trial conversions, to create repeating customers and to up sell. Please contact your account manager or send an email to sales@asknet.com
1.g Website Usability – increase conversion rates and website stickiness
Most companies invest marketing dollars to direct traffic to their website. Once visitors land on a website, they decide quickly whether or not the site is useful to them. If a website is not „sticky” in other words, does not provide the information visitors are looking for, they leave and might not come back.
Our analysis shows that in 79% of the cases, website visitors skip over text content and do not read details as it takes 25% more time to read text online than in print.
Easy to use means:
Everything that´s important should not be more than two clicks away and any action should not require more than three clicks.
It is in our best interest to support our customers in improving their website´s usability and stickiness! To learn more, please contact your account manager. Non-asknet-customers can contact sales@asknet.com to schedule a meeting or webinar to have their website analyzed.
1.h asknet Shop Cockpit ASC – The next generation of the asknet Shop Management module
The next generation of the asknet Shop Cockpit ASC is now available to asknet customers. During User Council we introduced the new release of the asknet eShop Management, formerly known as OCM.
The Shop Cockpit enables users to manage all eCommerce activities, including, eShop, products, prices, promotions, cross sellings and offers a full set off KPIs and dashboards.
To learn more about the many new features including Web 2.0 / Ajax technology, contact your account manager or our professional services team.
2. How to make the most of your Affiliate Accounts – asknet Best Practice Affiliate Marketing Paper
This paper illustrates the basics of affiliate marketing, explains the benefits for both merchants/vendors and publishers/affiliates and outlines tips as to how to successfully manage an affiliate program.
While this paper explains the basics of affiliate marketing in the most simple terms, please be aware that the management of an affiliate program does take lots of effort and is very time consuming. In addition to daily tasks like approving pending publisher applications and responding to publisher eMails, there are reporting and accountancy issues to cover, communication with top performing publishers, development of monthly publisher newsletters and the constant review of program performance and program goals.
To run a successful affiliate program it takes more than a set of banners and text links. It might take some time before a certain amount of revenue will be generated. Merchants will need to integrate affiliates into their online marketing strategy and provide clear guidelines and policies.
Since top affiliates are sought-after and have the advantage of choosing the advertiser rather than vice versa, it is important to build up sustainable and faithful relationships with best performing affiliates. Thus, teaming up with a partner that already has those relationships and experiences are keys to succeed.
asknet developed a profound expertise in how to manage affiliates around the globe and how to successfully sell through the affiliate channel. Contact us for more information or request asknet´s BestPractice Affiliate Marketing Paper (10 pages): marketing@asknet.com
3. asknet IT-Solution Forum 2009
You offer the software solution – we provide the platform!
This year marks the 4th anniversary of our IT-Solution Forum. Our higher education and small to medium size business clients have been eagerly awaiting this great event. In order to continue to introduce a vast array of software solutions and market trends to our clients, we rely heavily on your participation.
This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your software solutions to a targeted audience. Representatives from data processing centers, purchasing and IT departments of universities, colleges and government agencies and small to medium size businesses owners will be present. This is your chance to network with industry experts and decision makers.
Sign up today to become an event sponsor or request further information by contacting us at marketing@asknet.com or visit our website www.it-solutionforum.de.
4. International software publishers choose asknet AG´s flexible shop solutions
In the future, EskoArtwork, a provider of innovative solutions in the fields of design, production, communication, and management within the packaging and printing supply chain, will rely on asknet for its online sales, replacing its in-house solution and an eShop run by an asknet competitor. GridIron Software, the leading provider of workflow and performance tools for creative professionals, based in Canada, has also placed its trust in asknet´s eShops.
5. asknet launch Webinars series
Thursday August 13, 2009: Global Reach and Markets
Time: 17.00h CET / 8.00 a.m. PST, 11 a.m. EST (30 minutes)
Thursday September, 17, 2009: International Payment options
Time: 17.00h CET / 8.00 a.m. PST, 11 a.m. EST (30 minutes)
If you want to know more or just register for free please visit www.sellsoftwareonline.de/creatives/webinars
6. Meet asknet
July 16, 2009: SIC Boston
Save the date! October 22, 2009: IT-Solution Forum in Karlsruhe/Germany