No matter which of these 3 scenarios fits you the best, it’s important to use every tool you can to make your new ecommerce storefront a success.

You already have a robust web presence and an optimized website, plus a strong customer base. Therefore, you already have a ready-made audience for your online ordering and design, and you expect even more customers to visit your site because of your new and expanded capabilities.

You may or may not have a website, but you when you add your new ecommerce storefront, you plan to add the SEO layers (to one site or both) that will help your site be more visible to the search engines. However, this organic web traffic does take several months to gain traction.

Your new PrintSites website is a stand alone site, or it is connected to your website that is not SEO optimized. You do not have plans to add SEO at this time to either website.

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Choosing Your New URLLinking to Your Existing WebsiteImbed a Google Map Email MarketingDon’t Overlook the ObviousMoney-Saving Service

Online CapabilitiesFacebook & Social MediaEmail NewslettersWebsite DirectoriesArticle MarketingContact Us

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What’s in a name?CHOOSING YOUR NEW URL

Many find that simply adding the word “store” or “online” to your existing business name is all that’s needed to create an online store name that’s compatible with an established business. For instance, ABC Printing can easily become www.abcprintingstore.com, or www.abcprintingonline.com

Leveraging the momentum you already haveLINkING tO YOUR ExIStING WEbSItE

If you are already on the Internet, route your existing web traffic into your new online storefront. You’ll want your web developer to add an announcement of your new ecommerce storefront prominently on your current website. Add a call to action:

CLICK HERE TO CUSTOMIZE AND ORDER ONLINE

Once your new ecommerce storefront is integrated with your current website, you might also add a link back to your original site. Especially since you most likely have a fuller range of capabilities than your new storefront can reflect – capabilities such as catalogs and business forms.

Is your main website optimized for the search engines?If so, this site will be your first and best salesman for your new online web store. PrintSites customers usually discover a healthy flow of traffic from their original website to their new ecommerce store. Especially when there is a prominent Call to Action on the home page.

ImbEd a GOOGLE map ON YOUR CONtaCt paGE

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Create. Grow. Use. RepeatEmaIL maRkEtING

Every time a new customer creates a template, uploads a design or orders printing online, they must create an account. This account information is extremely valuable to you as you use email addresses for inexpensive marketing campaigns.

If you are an established print store or business owner, begin your email marketing initiative by gathering the data that you already have, from customers you already have. It’s much easier to maintain the loyalty of an existing customer, than it is to capture a new customer.

Is your business small? You may want to put an admin or intern to work contacting your customer base individually, either by phone or by email. You could send a personalized email, and follow up with a phone conversation. Your sales team could also be responsible for calling their client roster.

Remember, your goal is to capture their email information for email marketing purposes.

Assure your customer that they will still have access to personal service when needed (if applicable) for larger projects that do not apply to the online environment.

Offer a significant coupon to customers who do take the time to sign up for an account on your online storefront.

Thank them for their loyalty, and let them know that they can save money by customizing and ordering their printing online.

If contacting a business client, ask them to forward your URL to spouses or friends who might be interested in online design and customization for their personal events and occasions.

Reinforce the convenience and savings of online design, as well as the convenience of local pickup to avoid shipping costs.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Your email list is extremely valuable, and it may be worthwhile to offer substantial discounts in order to capture an email address. Remember, this person will be contacted numerous times throughout your business cycle, and could become a valuable customer.

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Here is a sample email letter you can send to your existing customers, encouraging them to sign up for an account at your new online store:

Now, Design, Customize and Order OnlineYour personal account is ready and waiting for your first login!

ABC Printing now has 24/7 online design and ordering, for your convenience.

Your online order goes directly to our own presses.

Click here to create your free password-protected account. User Name: Kthy fawejejrTemporary Password: AAABC (You can change it after you log on)

Once your account is created, you can design, order, and quickly re-order many products such as business cards, letterhead, note cards, calendars, envelopes and other items. You’ll save money by designing online.

At our online design studio, you can upload your own logo, images and text to create a unique design. You can also browse our template and image library, and then customize your finished product. Enjoy designing online using your home, or work computer. It’s fun and easy – and absolutely FREE.

1) Create your password-protected account2) Enjoy designing online, and saving money on your order3) Quickly re-order from your account4) Check our website often for money saving offers

Be assured that we will continue to provide the great service you’ve come to count on. The sales team that has served your needs in the past will still be available to assist you at any time. (And will still benefit from your online order!)

To find our online store directly: www.abcprintingstore.comYou can also get there from our website: www.abcprinting.com

Create your account today, so you’ll be ready to order online anytime!

The Small Steps can really Add Up!

dON’t OvERLOOk tHE INCHES, OR tHE ObvIOUS:

It’s easy to overlook the obvious steps you can take to promote your new online storefront, such as:

• Change your online signature to include your new ecommerce storefront, with a Call to Action (Sign Up Today)

• Record a new “On Hold” message with one that suggests to callers they check out your new online presence

• Add your new URL to your invoices and business cards

• Order magnetic signs for your delivery trucks and corporate vehicles. These are often very affordable, and your outlay is a one-time cost that provides continual exposure.

• Coordinate your promotions! If you launch a newspaper or email ad with an offer, be sure to coordinate your ecommerce storefront banner as well.

“It’s all for you!”

YOU aRE OffERING a fREE, mONEY-SavING SERvICE

Let your customers know that your new storefront has been designed for their convenience. With most PrintSites websites, customers will save on design costs by choosing a template and customizing it online, or even by uploading their own design files for online ordering.

You are offering a free service to your valuable customers; one that will save them money when they utilize the upload engine or design tools. Be sure to share this message in your promotions, and repeat it whenever possible.

Create a multi-media campaign

tRadItIONaL advERtISING fOR ONLINE CapabILItIES

Just as you probably promoted your print store through traditional advertising when the presses opened, you should consider traditional marketing techniques to promote your web store. Remember, however, that the most effective campaigns have one thing in common: repetition. It usually takes several mailings, sightings or mentions for a potential customer to act upon even the most persuasive advertising. Often times, a printing customer will not register until they have a printing need to fulfill – and then they will turn to the company who is freshest in their minds. Your repetitive advertising will help that company be YOU.

RADIO SPONSORSHIP – Talk to a media-purchasing broker in your community to discuss the costs of a radio sponsorship. A simple call to action, repeated often, can have a big impact. An example:

NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING – A regional newspaper (with a decent circulation) should offer reachable advertising rates to promote your new ecommerce storefront. Ask them about special pricing for “Start Up” businesses. Be sure to promote exclusive designs that you have added. You can offer a promotion code for additional savings, and coordinate this with your PrintSites ecommerce website.

DIRECT MAIL – If you own a print shop, you are no stranger to direct mail campaigns. Run your own multi-mailing campaign that gets the attention of your existing mailing list. You can also rent a direct marketing list from an email list broker. Run a small test to determine the quality of a list (or broker) and weigh and measure the costs before you invest.

This program was sponsored by ABC Printing Store dot com, where you can design online, customize a template or upload

your own files for online print ordering.“ “

“Create a Page for My Business”

faCEbOOk aNd SOCIaL mEdIa

Once you have an account on Facebook, you can “create a page for my business” and do just that. Be sure to add a high-resolution logo! Facebook is a friendly way to showcase new design templates, and to reward your followers with special coupons and offers.

Encourage everyone within your organization to “Like” your new Facebook page from his or her own personal pages. Hopefully, others will check out your page and “Like” it too.

Hit your target!

advERtISE IN EmaIL NEWSLEttERS

Look for good buys of small text ads in email newsletters that are geared towards the audience you want to reach. You can often find very good rates from small publishers. You can begin with the newsletters you receive in your inbox – but first, inquire about the circulation and mailing frequency.

Boost your Page Rank, and Visibility

SUbmIt YOUR WEbSItE tO dIRECtORIES, tRadE ORGaNIzatIONS

Do you belong to a trade organization that features member directories? Or how about the websites of your vendors and suppliers – have you checked their website for a partner page? Ask them to host your link.

Directories can be very useful to increase your visibility on the Internet. This can be a time consuming process, but well worth the investment. A directory is not a search engine; instead, it’s a comprehensive list of online sites, sorted by category.

Create Articles and Links to your site on the web

aRtICLE maRkEtING

Article Marketing is a way to create traffic to your new ecommerce website while you wait for the slower organic traction. Posting articles on the Internet will create countless links to your new ecommerce site, and also create numerous links to your new storefront through articles of interest to your target audience.

Contact your PrintSites representative if you are interested in knowing more.

Your Complete Ecommerce Web-to-Print Solution

888.947.1301info@printsites.com • www.printsites.com