AutoAnything Co-Founder Shares 8 Strategies for Online Dominance
AutoAnything Co-Founder Shares 8 Strategies for Online Dominance
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) April 18, 2012
Top-ranked online automotive accessories retailer, AutoAnything, accepted an invitation for their Co-President and cofounder, Trevor Klein, to speak on a panel at the ChannelAdvisor Catalyst 2012 Conference in Las Vegas. Answering questions about his company’s strategies, successes and failures, Mr. Klein touched on eight important tools for successfully navigating the increasingly fragmented eCommerce landscape.
“E-Commerce and online marketing is a dynamic world that requires continuous innovation and sometimes risk,” says Trevor. “You’re not going to get it right every time, especially on the first try. Every time you fall down or have a setback, it needs to viewed as an opportunity to get back up knowing that you have learned something along the way and that several iterations later you’ll hopefully get it right. Success in the online world is an evolution, not a revolution.”
Comparison Shopping Engines:
After years of working with CSEs, AutoAnything realized the inherent opportunities, but found that manually managing tens of thousands of product listings is impractical, labor intensive and time consuming. After partnering with ChannelAdvisor, their product data is now updated, configured and fed each day to an automated system that handles everything associated with listing products. This allows the company to focus on the customer experience.
Mobile:
Referencing Google Executive Chairman, Eric Shmidt’s recent comment that mobile search is growing faster than Google ever expected, Mr. Klein explained the importance of optimizing for this growing demand. With over 20% of AutoAnything’s current search traffic originating from mobile devices, one of the ways AutoAnything plans to facilitate conversion is with a new site rebuild based on the speed and app-like functionality HTML5.
Social Media:
An early social media adopter, AutoAnything has enjoyed significant benefits through brand exposure and recommendations. Rich media sites like YouTube allow customers to search a variety of topics and respond to that content directly, via the comments system. AutoAnything’s YouTube videos have received over 1.7 million views and over 1,000 comments. These free impressions not only drive traffic and revenue, but expose the brand to hundreds of thousands of new people.
Recognizing social outlets like Facebook, Twitter and online forums as places where people gather and share information freely, AutoAnything is facilitating powerful brand recommendations. As satisfied customers talk with friends, forge relationships and share advice, they’re happy to recommend AutoAnything as a trusted retailer with strong value propositions and a dynamic shopping experience.
Fraud Protection:
AutoAnything employs an ever-evolving, multi-step process to prevent fraud. Initially, an internal scan screens purchase amounts and verifies that billing and shipping addresses match. Based on success of that screen, orders may proceed to a third-party system where they’re assigned a confidence-code based on up to 15 criteria. Suspect orders are then subjected to an additional matrix of scoring factors like the item ordered, payment method, IP location, shopping history, etc. The end result for AutoAnything is an extremely low fraud rate when compared to the industry average.
SEO Strategy:
Recognizing that a powerful SEO strategy is key to online success, AutoAnything combines common tactics and industry best practices with the delivery of valuable content that customers can actually use. The organization continues to rank highly with Google and other top search engines—attributing this success to the fact that if the user finds the content valuable, so will the search engines.
eCommerce Channel Variety:
Over the last 15 years, AutoAnything has expanded their eCommerce footprint by harnessing the power of a variety marketing channels. PPC, SEO, Affiliate Marketing, a robust Email campaign, CSEs and retargeting efforts each bring their own measure of success. Combined, these channels have contributed significantly to the organization’s current success.
Learn from your Mistakes:
When AutoAnything partnered with the net’s largest auto enthusiast community to build an online store, it looked on paper to be a match made in eCommerce heaven. However, after much negotiation, effort and fanfare, the partnership ended up a miserable failure. Recognizing the mistake early on, management pulled the plug and cut their losses. The lesson learned was that no matter how large the audience, demand cannot be invented. Moving forward, the company seeks to identify existing demands and cater to those arenas, i.e. eBay Motors and other popular online marketplaces.
“Despite AutoAnything’s success, we’ve experienced many setbacks along the way. Don’t be afraid to take a big leap,” Mr. Klein concludes. “You can’t cross a river in two small jumps.”
AutoAnything was founded in 1979 as Blue Ribbon Motoring, a manufacturer of sheepskin seat covers and custom carpet floor mats. In 1997, the company took a new direction and went online as a retailer of automotive accessories. Today, AutoAnything.com is #159 in the Internet Retail Top 200 Guide of eCommerce companies.
For a complimentary catalog or to order any of AutoAnything’s fine products, call (800) 874-8888. International: (858) 569-8111. Fax: (858) 569-8503. Internet: http://www.autoanything.com, Email: media(at)autoanything(dot)com.
Note to Editors: Trevor Klein is available for interviews. Product demos can be arranged.
Contact: Michael Kirby, Senior Copywriter, 1-800-874-8111, ext. 7721 or mkirby(at)autoanything(dot)com
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Digital Edge Sports Inc. Set to Launch Online Youth Sports Network
Digital Edge Sports Inc. Set to Launch Online Youth Sports Network
Athens. OH (PRWEB) April 17, 2012
Digital Edge Sports Inc. will launch an interactive online sports network for youth organizations known as “The Jersey Watch Network” on April 17. The website will serve youth sport organizations and provide a centralized suite of features for youth administrators, coaches and parents.
The Jersey Watch Network aims to make the world of youth sports more interesting, fun and hassle-free for all parties involved through the use of free administrative and social tools. These tools include interactive schedules, rosters, news, up-to-the-minute scores and messaging features that will make it easy for coaches and administrators to manage their leagues. Parents will also be granted an unprecedented level of involvement through the use of photo and video sharing, social media integration and calendar features.
“Jersey Watch will revolutionize the youth sport experience for administrators, coaches and parents,” said David Carter, the founder and CEO of Digital Edge Sports Inc. “We’ve combined administrative features and web-based tools for leagues, with an innovative framework for parents, friends and fans. Our development and design is a direct reflection of the feedback we’ve received from youth leaders, coaches and parents.”
The network will be free to organizations and users thanks to the local support of regional founding partners and Digital Edge Sports Inc.’s “hyper-local” marketing strategy which emphasizes the crucial role local businesses play in the world of youth sports. Category-exclusive branding will keep the Jersey Watch Network clutter-free and easily navigable.
Several Columbus area youth organizations have already committed to using the product, and the Digital Edge Sports team plans to accelerate outreach efforts later in April. The network’s inception will be in central Ohio, with expansion plans for the Cincinnati and Indianapolis areas already in place.
About Digital Edge Sports Inc.: Digital Edge Sports Inc. is a sports marketing firm founded in 2011 that creatively uses technology to connect teams, brands and fans. Our lead technology, the Jersey Watch Network, provides free administrative tools for sports organizations in a social framework that engages parents and excites athletes. Based in Athens, Ohio, Digital Edge Sports Inc. is affiliated with Ohio University’s prestigious Sports Administration program and led by former athletes, sports executives and business leaders. To learn more, visit http://www.digitaledgesports.com, follow us on Twitter @DigitalEdgSprts and connect with us on Facebook.
©Copyright 1997-
, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Museum of Man Hosts Opening Event Launching Ramp It Up: Skateboard Culture in Native America on April 28th
Museum of Man Hosts Opening Event Launching Ramp It Up: Skateboard Culture in Native America on April 28th
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) April 17, 2012
Showing for the first time outside the Smithsonian Institution, Ramp It Up: Skateboard Culture in Native America begins its 12-city national tour at the San Diego Museum of Man (SDMoM) on Saturday, April 28th, 2012.
The public is invited to attend the opening day event, which will feature guided tours by exhibition curator Elizabeth Gordon and professional skateboarding demonstrations on the half pipe mini skate ramp, which has been designed and built by Spohn Ranch Skateparks. Opening festivities are included in the price of regular admission. The Ramp It Up exhibition will be on display until September 9, 2012 at SDMoM.
The new exhibition features examples of skate decks from Native companies and contemporary artists, and rare images and video of Native skaters. It showcases the work of visual artists Bunky Echo-Hawk (Yakama/Pawnee), Joe Yazzie (Navajo), Traci Rabbit (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma), and Dustinn Craig (White Mountain Apache/Navajo). Ramp It Up also traces the history of skateboarding, from its origins in Native Hawaiian communities, to the Southern California surf culture, to the rest of the United States and beyond.
“Skate culture is a great lens to learn about both traditional and contemporary Native American culture,” says Elizabeth Gordon, curator of Ramp It Up. “This exhibition focuses on the Native skater as well as the Native elders, parents, government officials, and community activists who have encouraged their kids to skate.”
Professional skateboarders (and brothers) Augustin Lerma III (Augie) and Armando Lerma (Mando) from the local Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will be performing a professional demo on the half pipe mini-ramp, which will be built on SDMoM’s South Balcony. Throughout the 4-month run of the exhibit, the mini-ramp will also be open to the public at selected times.
The exhibition includes rare 1973 home-movie footage of Zephyr surf team members Ricky and Jimmy Tavarez (Gabrielino-Tongva), and photographs of other iconic skateboard athletes. The Lerma brothers are featured in the Smithsonian exhibition, along with other local tribes, including the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, the Pala Band of Mission Indians, and Gabrielino-Tongva.
Local support for Ramp It Up is provided by skateboarding nonprofit organizations the Tony Hawk Foundation and Elemental Awareness, as well as action sports brands 1031 Skateboards; Blackbox Distribution; deckstool; Dekline Footwear; Element; Fallen Footwear; Nike; Pro-Tec; and Spohn Ranch Skateparks. Also sponsoring the exhibition at SDMoM are the Barona Band of Mission Indians; KCM Group; Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Foundation, as recommended by Marnie Cheney; McKenna, Long, & Aldridge; the Pala Band of Mission Indians; Premise Immersive Marketing; Rick Engineering Company; the San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of California; the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation; and Sports Medicine at UC San Diego Health System.
About SDMoM: AAM Accredited and Smithsonian Affiliate
Located beneath the ornate 200-foot California Tower, SDMoM is the city’s only museum devoted to anthropology and archaeology. With its Spanish colonial and mission-style architecture, the landmark building was originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Today, SDMoM is dedicated to using its world-class collections, dynamic exhibits, and compelling educational programs and events to fulfill its mission of “Inspiring human connections by exploring the human experience.” For more information about SDMoM, please visit http://www.museumofman.org.
About Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES):
SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for almost 60 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. Exhibition descriptions and tour schedules are available at http://www.sites.si.edu.
About the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian:
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian is the first national museum dedicated to the preservation, study and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history and arts of the Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere. Established by an act of Congress in 1989, the museum works in collaboration with Native peoples and communities to protect and foster their cultures by reaffirming traditions and beliefs, encouraging contemporary artistic expression and empowering the Native voice, http://www.AmericanIndian.si.edu.
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For more information or to schedule an interview with SDMoM CEO, Dr. Micah Parzen, or the Exhibits Manager, Phil Hoog, please contact Hope Carlson at (619) 239-2001, ext. 16 or hcarlson(at)museumofman(dot)org
©Copyright 1997-
, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.