Funny Flyers
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Abstract
Currently Funny Flyers relies on word of mouth for business. The only way a new customer is able to contact the company and purchase Iron Art, is through a recommendation from another customer. For Funny Flyers to compete locally and internationally it will be necessary to develop e-commerce strategies and expand into the digital arena.
There are many steps to getting a successful web site started. Using a competitive analysis will provide information about the strengths and weaknesses of not only competing companies but Funny Flyers as well. This information can assist Funny Flyers in developing a web site that is professional, polished and unique to customers worldwide.
E-Commerce Solutions
E-commerce refers to the sales of services and/or goods via electronic channels, such as the internet (Electronic, 2013). According to Knox (2004), “More than 20 million shoppers are now online, purchasing everything from books to computers to cars to real estate to jet airplanes to natural gas” (para 3). There are four different types of e-commerce, Business to business (B2B), Consumer to business (C2B), Consumer to consumer (C2C) and Business to consumer (B2C).
B2B is a type of e-commerce that involves companies doing business with each other (Linden, 2013). An example of this would be a paper manufacturer selling to a company that prints newspapers.
C2B involves a consumer needing a project to be accomplished. The consumer may then post a project and budget online for companies to bid on. The consumer can then review the bids and select the company that best fits.
C2C is made up of online classifieds or forums. Individuals can then buy or sell their goods to other consumers. EBay is good example where payment options are already established for consumers to sell and buy products.
B2C is what most people think of when they hear e-commerce. It consists of businesses selling to consumers through shopping cart software, without needing any human interaction (Linden, 2013). Examples of this would be Amazon.com and Funny Flyers Iron Artwork.
Some individuals may debate that there is a fifth form of e-commerce, mobile commerce (M-commerce). Mobile commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services from online devices. It will be necessary for Funny Flyers to make their web site M-commerce accessible (About, 2013).
Currently Funny Flyers is looking to expand online. To create an online presence it is necessary that they engage in B2B commerce with a largely used search engine company and a shopping cart provider.
By developing a virtual storefront they will be able to reach a larger customer base. For Funny Flyers web site to be inviting to consumers, they will need to create a site that is bright and interactive. Using easily accessible pages will keep the customer intrigued. Funny Flyers will increase sales by providing shopping cart software and easy to use payment options.
Vendors
Funny Flyers is developing a website an online strategy to increase customer base and sales. There is a variety of options and shopping cart solutions for Funny Flyers to choose from. For Funny Flyers to select an e-commerce solution, various factors such as available resources (IT staff, funding, time), flexibility, organizational size, customizability and organizational needs, will need to be considered.
A merchant account is one possible option. They assist in the process of consumer purchases. When a business uses a merchant account to receive money from a customers credit card, it involves several stages. First, Funny Flyers would need to make an arrangement with their bank or clearinghouse to accept credit card payments. Customers credit card transactions would pass and clear through an authorization company. If the card holders account is clear of fraudulence and funds are available, finances are then credited to Funny Flyers account, 1 to 2 days later. Funny Flyers is a small business that survives on minimal finances. A merchant account has many steps and typically charges monthly, per transaction, and setup fees. The additional fees may prove to be a problem for Funny Flyers.
Another available option for Funny Flyers is PayPal. PayPal is one of the worlds most popular financial transaction brokers for purchasing goods and services online. Approximately 90% of Ebays purchases go through PayPal (PayPal, 2013). Their service works as a middleman broker for money, where neither party can see the others credit card or bank information. PayPal does not require special technology or a business license to send and receive money through their service (PayPal, 2013). The only requirements are that Funny Flyers must have an email address and valid credit card or bank account. PayPal supports US and International currency, making it accessible for customers worldwide (PayPal, 2013).
PayPal makes it simple for an online business such as Funny Flyers to add payment processing to their website. Funny Flyers can sign up and be approved in 24 hours. Unlike a merchant account, there are no monthly or set up fees. The PayPal button is then available for Funny Flyers to place on their checkout page, ready for customer purchases. When expanding online it is important to Funny Flyers that customers worldwide, are able to pay with a direct bank transfer, debit card, or credit card, on their site. PayPal accommodates this beautifully. PayPal takes many precautions to help protect businesses against fraud and has one of the lowest fraud loss rates in the payment processing industry (PayPal, 2013). The use of PayPal allows Funny Flyers to reach out to a larger group of potential customers throughout the world. PayPal is a form of B2C e-commerce. Funny Flyers has decided that the next step, to expanding worldwide, would be to engage in a business to business partnership with PayPal.
On Funny Flyers web site, customers will be able to click/choose an art piece to be added to their virtual cart. On any page a customers have the option to check out. Upon checking out customers will be able to see their purchases and be directed to a page asking for customer information. With the information, customers will have the option to subscribe to the Funny Flyers news letter. This information provided will then be used to calculate shipping costs and future contact.
Search Engine Considerations and Optimization Strategies
Search Engine
The job of a search engine is to provide the most relevant results possible for all users. Search engines like Google will take a look at the internets most