So this will be a quick rant – but an important one.  More and more websites are using geolocational tools to identify where users are originating from, and to give them specific content based upon their location.

This is great.  BUT, more often than not they force the user to utilize the local version.  Don’t assume that the user only wants a local search.  (This may seem obvious … but apparently it isn’t – otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this post).  Default to the local option, and give the user the option to change to another location.  Who knows, they may be planning ahead.

Whew – glad I got that off my chest 🙂

TrialPay, the alternative payment engine we’ve discussed in the past, has recently launched TrialPay E-Commerce, an online store. The twist with TrialPay’s online store offers 0% payment processing.  They can do this by offering customers the ability to get a discount on their purchases from your store, simply by taking another offer (a familiar model for those of you who understand the alternative payment options).

This is a smart move by TrialPay.  Until now, their service worked best with clients who ran their own online stores.  With TrialPay E-Commerce, TrialPay makes their service available to a wide array of smaller online stores, and offers them a unique revenue model which in some cases can result in higher per cart sales versus traditional online store methods.

You can learn more about this offer here:

http://go.trialpay.com/forms/Ecommerce?elq=7543cd78b92c48078ce9b9b26428074e

Ever wonder why some web page sales pitches go on and on and on? A seemingly endless page with countless “buy now” buttons.

The answer is simple: because they work.

But just creating a long web page isn’t the magic bullet for sales conversions.

This case study about SEOMOZ shows the basic elements to creating and testing a web page that converts.

http://www.conversion-rate-experts.com/seomoz-case-study/

The case study notes that you need to create a web page long enough to tell the story. Imagine that you’re speaking directly to the reader. How would you convey your message? What value propositions would you deliver? How do you create curiosity? How would you make them convert?

I remember flying just after 9/11, and how grateful the flight crew was. They thanked us profusely for flying their airline, especially in those turbulent times.

Compare that to my most recent flight, where all we heard was a flat “thanks”. How quickly we forget about celebrating the customer.

Since my first job, I’ve always know the importance and value of customer service. This has become even more apparent as I’ve been reading “Delivering Happiness”. Often we hear that “all it takes is a simple thank you”. I disagree. It takes more than a simple thank you. It takes a sincere and proactive effort to celebrate the customer. It shouldn’t take the threat of losing your job to make you want to deliver an amazing customer experience. It isn’t hard. Under promise. Over deliver. Always leave your customer happy, feeling that they received value for their money.

Some time ago my team and I came in to accelerate a  software company that had been started by a group of developers.  The Board of Directors of the company, who had brought us in to straighten things out and get their software to market, were quite upset with the company’s development team.  “We’ve invested over $4 million so far. They’ve created a product with 100 features.  When do we sell it ?”.

I quickly pointed out that what they were asking is the equivalent of asking a duck not to quack, or a dog not to bark.

The lesson here is that we each have a role – and that smart managers work and manage individual strengths, not weaknesses.  Developers , well, develop.  Attorney’s manage risk.  Accounts count.  And marketers market.

It may sound simple, but knowing and recognizing each team’s role in product development is critical.  It is then up to each individual to think outside their own role, and recognize how their actions effect others within the organization.

Twitter’s open architecture has allowed Twitter users to have a voice in how Twitter has evolved.   One example of this is the  “language” Twitter users have created to enhance the functionality of Twitter.

When tweeting, it is polite to quote sources of information.  Up until recently, users wanting to repost a tweet (known as ReTweeting) would have to include “RT” in front of the post.

Twitter has been listening to its users, and has added new functionality allowing for ReTweeting.

This is a text book example of not only how to maximize the value of your Beta program, but also how to leverage the intel that you gain listening to your customers into value added benefits for your products and services.

It wasn’t too long ago when all a developer had to do is create an iPhone Application, and they had an instant hit.

But according to Wired Magazine, now there are over 100,000 apps in  Apple’s App Store.  With that competition, you really only have three options:

1. Create an app better than the other 99,999 apps out there.  And then go out and promote it better than the other 99,999 apps.
2. Create an app for app developers, such as an ad network for iPhone apps.
3. Create an app for another network, such as Android phones.

When there is a lot of competition, there represents opportunity as well. Because that competition, at a certain point, becomes a market itself.

Getting ready to launch your next B to C software product?   Make sure that you cover these basic steps prior to launch (courtesy of Digital River).

http://www.developer-resource.com/launch-checklist.htm