Posts Tagged: social commerce

0 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 24 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 24 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, February 24th, 2012

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 24 #InkRoundup

eBay to Acquire WHI Solutions
WHI Solutions, (WHI) is a provider of software and digital catalog solutions for auto parts distributors and retailers has entered into an agreement with eBay. With the agreement, eBay now has access to millions of auto parts through Nexpart, WHI’s e-commerce solution. WHI Solutions also offers an e-catalog for electronic parts and service dealer data for over 39,000 North American vehicles.

PayPal to Expand in Ireland
PayPal is reportedly hiring 1,000 workers in Ireland over the next four years. This will bring the company’s total employment in Ireland up to 2,400 by 2016, making it one of the largest internet employers in the country. Louise Phelan, a vice-president of global operations for PayPal, said the expansion was necessary to support the double digit growth the Irish operations were experiencing. According to Ms Phelan, the new recruits will work on creating the “future of money”. [via Wall Street Journal]

Further News
+ A list of the top seven essential things you need to know about mobile commerce.
+ Social shopping is more than a click on an e-commerce site.
+ The American Customer Satisfaction Index reported customer online shopping satisfaction inched up 1%.
+ Why social networking sites want your personal information.

Posts From the Week
+ eBay to Acquire WHI Solutions

Looking Back on eBay Ink
February 18, 2011: In a week of rankings and top 50 lists, eBay is ranked #22 for “transforming the mobile marketplace” on Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies 2011 (a list eBay didn’t even make back in 2010). Another sign of the company’s continued focus on tech and innovation when connecting buyers and sellers.

After what eBay has done over the past 12 months, it’s time to stop thinking of the company just as, well, whatever you’ve been thinking of it as: auction site; Internet stock monster; Meg Whitman launching pad. The new eBay is mobile, mainstream, and fashionable…

…The results have redefined the brand. The company sold almost $2 billion worth of goods via smartphones and tab-lets in 2010, more than double the total sales from 2009.

eBay made the top ten in Mobile coming in second only to Foursquare. Skype also made the list at #4.

eBay Ink Weekend Roundup is a summary of news and updates around eBay, PayPal, Social Media, Technology and E-commerce. Let us know what interests you.
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1 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 17 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 17 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, February 17th, 2012

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 17 #InkRoundup

eBay Buyers, Sellers Give Record $63 Million To Charity In 2011
eBay enabled its users to give a record $63 million, or $120 a minute to charitable causes last year. The PayPal division also processed $3 billion in transactions for more than 200,000 nonprofits. eBay launched the celebrity page in early November, which recently included a $10,200 sale of Miami Marlins shortstop Jose Reyes’ dreadlocks to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida. To learn more about eBay’s philanthropic reach, check out the Giving Works page. [via eBay Ink]

Further News
+ Check out the most popular products bought online in 2012.
+ Infographic: What Drives Mobile Commerce?
+ Pinterest may be changing the social commerce game, but why?

Posts From the Week
+ eBay Ink to host second eBay Chat on 2/16 at 4pm PST with Goodwill International
+ INVITATION: Crisis Communications in the age of social media
+ eBay enables record amount of socially conscious commerce in 2011

Looking Back on eBay Ink
February 16, 2011: eBay has taken the number one spot in a new ranking of the the top social media brands, carried out by Yomego. A number of factors were involved in tabulating the list but from what I can tell it was primarily based on overall reach and satisfaction in determining where companies landed in the Top 50.

eBay Ink Weekend Roundup is a summary of news and updates around eBay, PayPal, Social Media, Technology and E-commerce. Let us know what interests you.
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3 Permanent link to [UPDATED WITH VIDEO] eBay enables record amount of socially conscious commerce in 2011 [UPDATED WITH VIDEO] eBay enables record amount of socially conscious commerce in 2011

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Monday, February 13th, 2012

[UPDATED WITH VIDEO] eBay enables record amount of socially conscious commerce in 2011

We announced this morning that eBay buyers and sellers generated a record $63 million in 2011 for charitable causes. Donating an average of $120 a minute, donations in 2011 experienced a 15 percent increase over the prior year. In addition, PayPal processed $3 billion in transactions for more than 200,000 nonprofit organizations, a 31 percent year-over-year increase.

“eBay and PayPal strive every day to make a difference in the world, and cause-related commerce is a powerful way we help merchants and consumers easily and generously give to nonprofits and support people and communities in need,” said John Donahoe, President and CEO of eBay, Inc. “We are committed to using our global commerce platforms and technologies to drive social innovation and create scalable, measurable impact.”

UPDATED 3/20/12

Here is some additional information on eBay’s socially conscious commerce in 2011:

+ Through the eBay Giving Works platform in the US, UK and now Canada, which launched in August 2011, eBay enables anyone, anytime to easily support favorite charities and causes while shopping for the perfect item.
+ In 2011, eBay launched eBay Celebrity, a shopping destination that combines celebrity experiences, memorabilia and merchandise with philanthropic causes.
+ eBay is the platform of choice for celebrities looking to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes. In 2011 celebrity cause-related commerce efforts included: an auction featuring limited edition Nike Mag sneakers for The Michael J. Fox Foundation – eBay’s biggest charitable auction ever, and Warren Buffet’s annual lunch auction, which sold for a record $2.63 million, supporting Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.
+ In addition to innovative fundraising tools and giving platforms, eBay and PayPal enable consumers to respond quickly to disasters around the world. In 2011, the eBay community donated $6 million for relief efforts in the wake of the earthquake in Japan and $3.3 million was donated to help end the hunger crisis in the horn of Africa.

Continuing the socially conscious commerce theme, I will be hosting a Twitter chat on Thursday, February 16 from 4-5pm PT with the Goodwill Industries and eBay Giving works team. We will discussing social and online giving, and the philanthropic tools that can benefit donations, advocacy and online communities. Follow the conversation here at http://www.ebayinkblog.com, or follow online by using the #SocialGiving hashtag. Make sure to follow our friends at @GoodwillIntl and @ebaygiving too.

Cheers,
RBH
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0 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 10 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 10 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, February 10th, 2012

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 10 #InkRoundup

PayPal Makes Shopping on the Go Even Easier in Singapore
PayPal just launched a pilot in Singapore’s subway stations for commuters to buy goods while commuting. Commuters can make purchases by using their smartphone to scan a QR code on a billboard or poster and paying through PayPal. The experiment, offering Valentine’s Day gifts at reduced prices, is being conducted across 15 subway stations across Singapore. [via All Things D]

Further News
+ Get a hint at three ways to optimize your e-commerce site.
+ Tips for making your e-commerce site truly social.
+ Social media predictions for 2012.

Posts From the Week
+ Brian Solis Shares His Thoughts on Social Commerce
+ The PayPal 1099-K: What is it?
+ [INFOGRAPHIC] I Won it on eBay

Looking Back on eBay Ink
February 11th, 2010: eBay Motors today launched an online shopping experience for new vehicles, giving auto dealers and manufacturers an alternative channel to market inventory to local buyers. I just played around with the new interface and it’s incredibly intuitive and easy-to-use. I was able to look for both used and new cars – breaking down to color, make, model, etc. – in less than a minute. The news is good for dealers too because they can now choose from a number of new car selling options including auction, fixed price, best offer or an online classified ad to drive leads. Currently, new cars make up about 13% of all vehicles sold on eBay Motors.

You can read the full press release here.

eBay Ink Weekend Roundup is a summary of news and updates around eBay, PayPal, Social Media, Technology and E-commerce. Let us know what interests you.
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2 Permanent link to Brian Solis Shares His Thoughts on Social Commerce Brian Solis Shares His Thoughts on Social Commerce

FEATURED POSTSudha Jamthe / Thursday, February 9th, 2012

Brian Solis Shares His Thoughts on Social Commerce

Hi all, hope you have been enjoying the new year. I recently spoke with Brian Solis about his new book, “The End of Business As Usual” and he shared his insights on social media, social commerce and more.

If you become as inspired as me after reading Brian’s interview, we welcome you to join us for the free Social Commerce Hub at eBay on February 13, as part of the Social Media Week celebrations. We have a wonderful schedule of talks and panels, and Brian will be joining us as a keynote speaker and for a book signing.

Sudha: How did you go from your popular book “Engage” to the new one “The End of Business As Usual“?
Brian: People often ask why I didn’t write “The End of Business as Usual” first and then release “Engage” shortly after. “Engage” is focused on the social media champion and over the last several years, the appetite for knowledge on strategic social media intensified. While “Engage” fueled the groundswell for social media champions, “The End of Business as Usual” was written to empower champions of change throughout the organization. They are complementary and together they can transform an organization for a new genre of business.

Sudha: You talk about connecting to the connected customer. Can you explain who is the connected customer and does this apply for all types of target customers for any business?
Brian: Traditional consumers read newspapers and magazines, watch TV and listen to the radio. They talk to their close network of trusted friends and advisers in email and in the real world. Online consumers learn, share, and communicate using web-based products such as websites and search engines, they are avid mobile phone and email users, review products online and also read reviews to make decisions. The connected consumers is just that…they’re connected. They actively curate and create content through social media and their size of influence is exponentially greater than the other two categories of consumers.

Sudha: Social permeates the corporation from all directions and all levels, making it very difficult to offer one framework for various departments to agree on. What type of framework can corporations adapt to become a social business?
Brian: Businesses often say that they desire to get closer to customers. In order to do so, it must be much more than mere words or intention. Actions speak louder than words. In order to get closer to customers, leadership organization needs to foster a culture of customer-centricity.

Sudha: Companies looking to measure ROI of social and social business metrics is one of my favorite topics. What is your advice to keep the balance on adopting social success in a measurable way while keeping the focus on building that relation with the customer?
Brian: I believe that the best way to address ROI or metrics in general is to develop strategies with a meaningful and measurable end in mind and work backwards from there. Most of the cases we look at in social media start with a channel and employ the same elements we often see in traditional marketing campaigns. But, impressions, clickthroughs, reach and to the same extent, retweets, follows, Likes, and share of voice don’t directly translate into return if the return was never documented.

Sudha: Tell us how you see social commerce evolving in 2012
Brian: Commerce is already social, businesses are just slow to realize that they can employ technology to facilitate it at greater levels today. In fact, social commerce is just one part in what must be a syndicated commerce approach. Remember, there are different groups of consumers who make decisions differently, who are influenced differently and as a result take action differently. Syndicated commerce is the big play in 2012 and 2013 as each form of commerce including mobile, e-commerce, F-commerce, in-store, email, etc. require a dedicated and optimized approach.

Sudha: Finally one last questions – You inspire so many people by your books, blogs, talks and keynotes all the time, . I wonder what inspires you?
Brian: I’m inspired by the struggles people have as they try to bring about change. I listen to their questions. I learn from their experiences. I share everything that I know and am learning. I’m motivated by the greater movement we’re each contributing to in our own way. Individually we learn. Together we transform.

Hope to see you at the free Social Commerce Hub at eBay on February 13. Also, feel free to leave any questions for me below.

Cheers,
Sudha
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0 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 3 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 3 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, February 3rd, 2012

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – February 3 #InkRoundup

eBay’s CEO John Donahoe Talks with Mashable’s Pete Cashmore
John Donahoe and Pete Cashmore sit down and talk about the future of e-commerce and mobile commerce at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In 2012, Donahoe expects to see even more people making mobile payments and buying things online on their mobile phones. He also stated that eBay’s mobile app now boasts 65 million users that did $5 billion in business in 2011. [via eBay Ink]

Further News
+ Learn the six pillars of social commerce.
+ Mobile phones becoming go-to shopping tools in stores
+ Social media is predicted to be MVP of Super Bowl.
+ Many developers rushing to mobile first, but don’t forget about the web.

Posts From the Week
+ VIDEO: John Donahoe, sits down with Mashable’s Pete Cashmore at the WEF, Davos
+ eBay Ink Social Media Seller, Marsha Collier, Nominated for a Small Business Book Award
+ Altimeter Group’s Jeremiah Owyang presents at the Page Society West Coast Social Media Summit

Looking Back on eBay Ink
February 3rd, 2010:eBay has teamed up with RecycleBank, the country’s premier recycling and loyalty program, to reward consumers for recycling and reusing what already exists in the world today.

RecycleBank rewards people for positive green actions (currently the recycling of trash and electronics) and seeks to create a greener economy with key partners across the U.S. In just five years, the model has proven its success; on average, recycling volumes increase two-to-five times and members across the country earn hundreds of dollars in reward value. RecycleBank has programs in hundreds of cities around the country, reaching over one million consumers.

By teaming up with eBay, the RecycleBank program brings consumers online, offering 50 RecycleBank Points for joining eBay’s Green Team. Additionally, RecycleBank members will be able to use their RecycleBank Points for discounts on eBay purchases. (More …)
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0 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – January 27 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – January 27 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, January 27th, 2012

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – January 27 #InkRoundup

eBay Shares Social Media Advice for Online Sellers
eBay prepared a guide for sellers on “social media selling,” advising sellers on how to use social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs to promote their eBay listings. They styleguide counsels sellers to genuinely contribute to the conversation, don’t spam your fans and don’t be controversial. [via eBay]

Further News
+ Social media is helping drive the economy and empowering the people.
+ Mobile companies continue to see support from venture capitalists.
+ Physical stores want features that let them become more like online stores.

Posts From the Week
+ John Donahoe on consumer & retail shifts at the DLD Conference
+ eBay employees are invited to Bring it. Sell it. Ship it.
+ eBay’s Paul Jones receives Industry Service Award from Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA)

Looking Back on eBay Ink
January 27, 2010: eBay Buyers & Sellers gave $54.8 Million to nonprofits in 2010 through @eBayGiving. In a world where things rarely seem to shock or surprise anymore, the capacity to give never ceases to amaze me. A record $54.8 million was donated to U.S. and U.K. nonprofit organizations by eBay buyers and sellers in 2010. A donation was made every 24 seconds through eBay Giving Works, raising more than $91 every minute for nonprofits. Nearly 9 million items were listed for sale in 2010 – with all or a portion of the sale price donated to a nonprofit – more than double the items listed in 2009.Since eBay Giving Works was launched in 2003, $230 million has been raised for U.S. and U.K. charities and currently lists over 650,000 charity items on the marketplace.

eBay Ink Weekend Roundup is a summary of news and updates around eBay, PayPal, Social Media, Technology and E-commerce. Let us know what interests you.
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0 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – January 20 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – January 20 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, January 20th, 2012

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – January 20 #InkRoundup

eBay Inc. Reports Strong Q4 Results
eBay reported its net income grew sharply in the fourth quarter, increasing 35% to $3.4 billion, compared to the same period of 2010. Results beat analyst’s expectations, boosted by strong holiday sales and growth at PayPal. eBay gave a first-quarter outlook that was shy of analysts’ estimates, however its guidance for the full year was stronger than expected, suggesting robust earnings momentum later in 2012. [via New York Times]

Further News
+ Apple’s voice recognition feature, Siri will eventually be used for online shopping according to it’s patent.
+ Will e-commerce be caught in the crosshairs of SOPA and PIPA?
+ According to a survey, mobile shoppers prefer browser-based commerce to apps.

Posts From the Week
+ NRF 2012 Mobile Payments Panel Recap; [VIDEO] 5 Minutes with PayPal’s Don Kingsborough
+ eBay Inc. Reports Strong Q4 and Full Year 2011 Results
+ PayPal mobile payments pilot at 51 Home Depot stores
+ [VIDEO INTERVIEW] eBay CEO, John Donahoe, on CNBC
+ Check out the all-new Green.eBay.com!
+ A full recap of eBay Inc. at NRF 2012

Looking Back on eBay Ink
January 19, 2010: eBay Improves on Top 20 NRF Ranking for Customer Service in 2009. According to the fifth annual NRF Foundation/American Express Customers’ Choice survey, eBay is ranked #12 overall for customer service in 2009 (up 2 from #14 in 2008).

Consumers answered the open ended question, “Thinking of all the different retail formats (store, catalog, internet, or home shopping), which retailer delivers the best customer service?”

Like I said when I wrote about this last year, it is the individual sellers on the eBay marketplace that should be commended for achieving this high ranking. After all, they’re the ones providing the customer service to consumers on a daily basis.

eBay Ink Weekend Roundup is a summary of news and updates around eBay, PayPal, Social Media, Technology and E-commerce. Let us know what interests you.
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0 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – December 16 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – December 16 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, December 16th, 2011

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – December 16 #InkRoundup
eBay Opens Pop Up Store in UK
Earlier this month, eBay UK launched its first-ever pop-up shop in London. The eBay Christmas Boutique attracted more than 2,500 shoppers that browsed over 350 items provided by top-rated eBay sellers. In UK’s first QR code shopping emporium, shoppers were able to scan a barcode and buy products on the spot, using mobile phones. [via eBay Ink]

PayPal Offering Location-Based Deals
PayPal will be entering the daily deal marketing in early 2012. The product will focus on mobile deals with alerts sent to smartphones when in close proximity to stores hosting deals that day and will cater to the customer. Scott Thompson, PayPal President, promises, “We’ll only give you something that we think fits the category of unique and relevant. Everyone else is going to bombard you.” The company will partner with some of the country’s top merchants such as, BestBuy and Target, who already use PayPal for transactions. [via Bloomberg]

Further News
+ Free shipping has become a necessary evil for online retailers and could boost shipping companies.
+ Psychologists have identified six elements to social shop.
+ Holiday shoppers ride the rainbow with black Friday, green Monday and more.
+ What happens when smartphones and smart shoppers combine?

Posts From the Week
- StubHub Acquires Zvents
- eBay Launches its First UK Pop-Up Shop in London
Looking Back on eBay Ink
December 15, 2010: eBay acquires mobile app developer, Critical Path Software. Less than 2 weeks after the company announced the acquisition of Milo.com, eBay has announced it has acquired Critical Path Software, a leading mobile app developer that has worked with eBay for over 2 years on a wide array of mobile apps coming out of the company including the eBay for iPhone app, StubHub, eBay Classifieds and Shopping.com iPhone apps.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

I was fortunate enough to get Steve Romero, Critical Path president and founder, and Steve Yankovich, VP of eBay Mobile, together to chat about the acquisition and how the teams will be working together moving forward. Exciting stuff indeed…

(More …)
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0 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – December 9 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – December 9 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, December 9th, 2011

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – December 9 #InkRoundup
PayPal Access Now Available to Magento Go Merchants
Merchants using Magento Go for their online stores can now take advantage of the log-in system, PayPal Access. By using this method, merchants can dramatically increase their conversion rate by lowering the barrier of entry for customers. This service is expected to let consumers share data about their purchase history and preferences, making it more convenient for both shoppers and merchants to make more relevant offers. [via AuctionBytes]

Online Shoppers Prefer PayPal
“The Converged Lifestyle”, a global report by financial advisory firm KPMG, found UK shoppers were more apt to use PayPal while purchasing online. Looking at online shopping habits of 10,000 adults from 31 countries, the study found that Paypal has surpassed credit cards as the preferred method of online payment. [via Finance Times]

Further News
+ Starbucks leads the mobile payment battle, with more than 26 million purchases have been made using Starbucks’ mobile apps.
+ Free shipping leads customers to break record online shopping numbers for three consecutive days.
+ How to use LinkedIn effectively for your e-commerce business.
+ Is “Free Shipping Day” more profitable than Black Friday?
+ Predictions for 2012 mobile commerce trends.

Posts From the Week
- Updates to RedLaser for Android; introducing RedLaser for Windows Phone 7; and Scan to Win with RedLaser Games
Looking Back on eBay Ink
December 8, 2010: Global Green USA recognizes the eBay Green Team with its 11th Annual Sustainable Design Awards. eBay CEO, John Donahoe, was on hand in New York on Monday at the Global Green USA 11th Annual Sustainable Design Awards to accept the Organizational Design Award on behalf of the eBay Green Team. The Organizational Design Award honors groups that take a leadership role in effecting positive environmental change.

The eBay Green Team started with 40 employees back in May of 2007 and grew to 2,400 employees in 23 countries by 2009 (I became an eBay Green Team member in 2008 and have enjoyed participating in a number of initiatives over the past couple of years). Since opening up to the public, the eBay Green Team has grown to nearly 300,000 volunteers. You can check out a full video overview of the eBay Green Team below.

eBay Ink Weekend Roundup is a summary of news and updates around eBay, PayPal, Social Media, Technology and E-commerce. Let us know what interests you.
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Posts Tagged: social commerce

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