March 2009
Table of Contents
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Featured Article: Doba's Saved Searches Tutorial |
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Marketplace Spotlight: Trade Show Trends |
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Member Q&A: Effectively Using Doba's Watch List |
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Supplier Information: New Suppliers Added to the Doba Product Catalog |
Featured Article: Doba's Saved Searches Tutorial
What is Saved Search?
The Saved Search feature allows you to save any product search or set of browsing criteria (inside the product catalog) so that you can easily return to the products you view most.
Why would I Use It?
With a product catalog as large as Doba's, we understand the importance to have the ability to search through the catalog in a timely matter. Doba's search feature gives you the ability to search the catalog a couple of different ways, including keywords and advanced filters. The "Saved Search" feature makes searching the product catalog easier and quicker, reducing the time and effort needed to find the products you are looking for. You can also use this feature to create Watch Lists and Custom Data Exports as well.
How Do I Create a Saved Search?
For a better understanding of how the Saved Search feature works with the product catalog, we will give this example to follow:
Note: Numbers may vary and are used for example only.
Bill is an online retailer who sells laptops. Let's say Bill approaches the Doba product catalog wanting to find Sony laptops. Start by clicking on the "Computer and Laptop" category from the product catalog main page. The results include over 16,000 products. Bill then refines his search by clicking on ‘Laptops’ on the left side of the page under "Categories." Now there about 1,200+ products. To refine it even further, Bill clicks on "Sony" under the "Laptop" category on the left column. Now Bill is viewing only the laptops built by Sony. If he wanted, Bill could dig even deeper by filtering the price range, supplier, and status (quantity available, condition) as well.
Saving Your Search
To save this search, click on the ‘"Save Current Search" bolded link under the "Saved Searches" category on the top left portion of the page. It will then ask you to name this Saved Search. Choose a name that will reflect the specific search criteria (such as "Sony Laptops"), then click the green "Save" tab. Now Bill can return to his search of just Sony Laptops in just one click.
Note: Keep in mind, you are limited to a total of 10 saved searches at a time, so create and manage your "Saved Searches" effectively.
How Do I Access My Saved Searches?
Use the following steps to access your Saved Searches:
- After you login to your account on Doba.com, click the "Catalog" icon at the top of any Doba webpage.
- Click the "Saved Searches" tab at the top of the catalog page.
From here you have the option of viewing the products within the saved search, as well as creating a Dynamic or Static Watch List, and/or Custom Data Export.
Creating Watch Lists from Saved Searches
A Doba Watch List is a simple and convenient tool that can be used to monitor products you're researching or selling, quickly order products, perform a custom data export, and push products with the Push to Marketplace tool.
Note: To learn more about Dynamic and Static Watch Lists, visit the Watch List page.
However, creating a Watch List directly from your Saved Searches will keep you from spending more time doing something that is already done!
The steps below explain how to create a Watch List from the "Sony Laptops" Saved Search created in the previous example:
- Click the "Saved Searches" tab from the catalog page.
- Click the box next to the "Sony Laptops" Saved Search (a check will appear if the box is clicked)
- Select the type of Watch List you wish to create, and click the appropriate green "Create Dynamic/Static Watch List" tab.
- Go to the Watch Lists page to name and view your new Watch List!
Using Saved Searches with the Data Export Tool
The Data Export Tool lets you extract a lot of organized product info from the Doba product catalog in a short amount of time.
Note: Visit the Data Export Tool Tutorial for information on how to create a custom data export.
Creating a Custom Data Export from a Saved Search will allow you to extract the information on the products you view the most without tracing over steps that have already been taken.
Use these steps to create a custom data export from the "Sony Laptops" Saved Search:
- Click the "Saved Searches" tab from the catalog page.
- Click the green "Data Export" tab to the right of the "Sony Laptops" Saved Search.
Note: You will be directed to the Data Export Tool page. - Follow the steps for creating a Custom Data Export, making sure the bullet next to "Sony Laptops" Saved Search is marked with a black dot.
Conclusion
Whether you are searching the product catalog by keywords or advanced filters, finding the exact products you are looking for takes time and effort. Using the Saved Search feature alone or with Watch Lists and Data Exports will help you organize and manage your product search (and data) efficiently and effectively.
Partner Highlight
ProStores, an eBay company, enables small- and medium-sized businesses to sell products and services online through a completely customizable virtual storefront at their own internet domain, accelerating the growth and profitability of their overall business and extending their brand online. Use Doba's Push to MarketPlace tool to push Doba products directly in to your ProStores webstore. Free one month trial!
Marketplace Spotlight: Trade Show Trends
By Jeff Knight, Vice President of Marketplace - Doba
For merchandise buyers, January through April is typically the first half of the trade shows season. As I explained in previous articles, some vertical industries have multiple ‘markets’ – typically at the first of the year and mid-way through the year – but almost all industries hold at least one event shortly after the first of the year. The trade show events I will discuss are all specifically focused around merchandise and suppliers selling to retailers. Doba attends a large range of shows - with reasons ranging from acquiring new suppliers, touching base with existing partners to simply getting a feel for the state of a vertical category. While I will still be attending two more events in the next month (ASD/AMD and International Housewares Show) – I wanted to focus this month’s article on some of the trends I have seen thus far.
The most noticeable difference in all industries is that tradeshows are shrinking in both in physical space and the number of retail attendees. As an observational, rough estimate – the larger tradeshows in Las Vegas like Magic and CES, appear to use about 1/3 as much space as the year before. Granted, in Magic’s case, many of the corresponding trade events were held in different locations making it harder to gauge the size. Also, competing/complimentary trade events occurred simultaneously. For example, during the week of Magic, Off-price Apparel, MRket (Men’s apparel), The Accessories Show, and Curve (Intimates) all occurred during the same week in Las Vegas. Kudos to each shows coordinators for making the timing work. On a typical year, retailers may attend only one of the shows but by tightly organizing the days and locations – there were many retailers who were able to attend all shows. All things considered, there still appears to be less exhibitors and less new suppliers attending the shows.
As far as retailers, attendance is way down. Again, I will rely on trend indicators that are, well, less then trade organization approved. Using the same shows as examples, in Las Vegas, rooms that would normally charge between $150-$400 per night for peak days of a trade event, were being offered in the $75-$150 range. It is simple supply and demand. Las Vegas had fewer people booking rooms thus the hotels and casinos are willing to sell the rooms for less. My other source is cabbies. If you want know anything about visiting or traveling to a city – ask a cab driver. At every single event, hotel, restaurant, and airport I visited – I could get a cab within minutes. For example, typically at CES, getting cab to take you to the airport may take upwards of an hour (or more) just to get through the lines. From speaking with the cabbies, fares have been sparser and they are spending more time waiting between fares. As far as products, the trend appears to be moving to lower price points. As you can expect suppliers concentrating on low/mid range tend be seeing more interest then the luxury/higher price point counterparts. As one of my old buyer friends told me, ‘People are still buying watches, I am just selling more Vizio then Sony.’ As the economy has turned, it is no surprise that consumers have been more cautious when spending money on goods. They are still buying goods – they are just being more careful.
While not scientific, intuitively it makes sense that retailers are spending less time and money on trade events. First, the current state of the economy has dampened travel budgets. Retailers are spending less and focusing more – both of which are sound business strategies. They are simply sending less people for shorter time frames – or skipping trade events that are not critical for their business. The other reason trade shows are diminishing largely has to do with the Internet. The Internet has made getting information about and being introduced to products much simpler, quicker and cost effective then the trade event. If I want to know more about a line – I can simply look it up in most cases or at minimum, have it emailed to me. With limited space, high expense – the physical trade event is always going to be more limited then the newer virtual world.
That said, I don’t believe you will see the end to trade events anytime soon. They may evolve, take up less space, occur less frequently, etc – but they won’t go away entirely. First, there is still value in seeing a product line in person even if it is a limited sampling. Next, and most importantly, people still do business with people. Sitting across from a supplier (or talking on a phone) and having even a small limited conversation goes a long way. While electronic communication simplifies life – it also complicates and accentuates misunderstandings in certain instances. Trade shows are great for getting large groups together. For much of my career – I have spent more time in restaurants, lounges, and suites meeting with suppliers then I have spent on the actual floors/show rooms. In other words, the trade show is the catalyst, but the primary purpose of attending is still to sit down face to face with manufacturers completely apart from the noisy, crowded show room.
To end this discussion, I want to switch gears slightly. One aspect of dwindling trade shows that is definitely to the detriment of both retailers and suppliers is that the trade event is still the best place for a new supplier, brand, product, etc to get introduced. If Sony comes out with a new line of LCDs, the world is quite aware. If a small upstart manufacturer wants to go factory direct to retailers – they may not have as easy of time getting in front of their audience. The limitation of money, resources and brand awareness hurt the smaller, start-up when their avenues for getting exposure diminish. For all manufacturers/suppliers but especially the less established, using Doba’s platform is the perfect solution for getting products in front of retailers. For retailers, trade events make sense for keeping in the mix and getting know your industry. That said, leave the heavy lifting to us – we will work on getting you the products so you can concentrate on building your business.
About the Author:
As the Vice President of Marketplace, Jeff Knight is responsible for all aspects of the merchandising strategy, supplier acquisition, and vertical category management and fulfillment operations of Doba's marketplace. Prior to Doba, Jeff was Director of Merchandising for Overstock.com where he developed the growth and management of the Computer and Home Office category. Jeff's background includes merchandising and technology leadership roles at DealDeal.com and BCI International. He earned Bachelor and Masters of Arts degrees in Communication from the University of Wyoming.
Partner Highlight
3XP Websolutions
3XP Web Solutions gives you everything you need to start an online business in one complete and easy system, including a web store and a merchant account so you can accept credit cards. Best of all it is seamlessly integrated with the Doba product catalog! Also included are traffic analysis tools, search engine submission, domain name registration, multi-tiered affiliate program, and more. Click here to view 3XP's special offer for Doba members!
Member Q&A: Effectively Using Doba's Watch List
By Kay Russon - Doba
Have you ever listed and sold an item online and came back to the Doba product catalog needing to place an order for that product, and couldn't find it in the catalog? Or, you sold it and now you find it has been discontinued or is out of stock? With over 1.2 million items in Doba's product catalog, keeping tabs on the products you are selling, have sold, are looking to sell can be quite the task.
Have no fear, Watch Lists are here!By using Doba's Watch List resource you can eliminate such problems before they even become problems.
How you ask? You can have up to ten Watch Lists at a time. Think of the Watch List as a large file cabinet with ten drawers. You use one drawer to file perfumes in, one drawer for your electronics, one drawer for your diamond rings and so on. Having a specific drawer (or Watch List) for each category of products makes it easier to organize, find, and manage them. How many products can I put in each drawer? Would you believe 10,000 items? That means you can store up to 100,000 items in each of those ten drawers. Remember, just because you can store 100,000 items doesn't mean you have to, want to, or should. But, if you did...looking through 100,000 products is an easier task than looking through all 1.2 million products in the catalog, right?
Not only is it easier to find the items, but the Watch List is updated daily with the current quantity on hand and the status of the item. As soon as you see that the stock is getting low, you can adjust your listing. If it happens to have been discontinued, you will be able to close your listing so you don’t sell a product you no longer have available. This helps your credibility also, and keeps your customers happy.
Because the Watch List is linked directly to the Data Export tool, you can use the information in your Watch Lists to create a custom export for further research or to move it to your web site.
Knowing how to effectively and efficiently use the Watch List resource will help you better organize, maintain, and manage the products you are selling or keeping an eye one.
We Want to Hear from You! Want to see your question featured in the eNewsletter Member Q&A? Well we want to hear from you! Please email education@doba.com if you have any non-account related questions or topics you would like us to write about. If you have questions concerning your Doba account, such as billing, product or order questions, please search our knowledgebase site content or contact our Customer Support.
About the Author:
Kay “Papa” Russon is an eBay Certified Consultant, Customer Service Team Lead, and technical liaison for Doba. His knowledge, experience, and expertise assist retailers daily in running a successful online business. Before Doba, Kay was a team leader, supervisor, trainer and manager for World Support, Digital Equipment Corp., Digital Remote, SBC, AT&T, Macromedia, Sun Microsystems, and Motorola and served in the Army National Guard.
Partner Highlight
e-OnlineData
e-OnlineData is the nation's leading eCommerce merchant account provider. They offer a complete line of real-time credit card processing solutions for Internet, mail order, retail and auction sellers. e-OnlineData is Authorize.net's largest payment gateway provider, providing instant establishment of a Merchant ID Number (MID) to get you online and processing customer payments quickly, easily and inexpensively. For more information and special Doba customer pricing, apply online today!
Supplier Information: New Suppliers Added to the Doba Product Catalog
Starting an online business is relatively easy. Making it a success takes hard work and the right mix of products. To help you achieve your business-related goals, we recently added new wholesale suppliers and manufacturer to the Doba Catalog:
Saguaro - Sholf, the hybrid creation of two classic games, is here! Sholf fuses the accessories of golf with the strategy, competitive play and scoring of table shuffleboard. Played head-to-head, Sholf is wildly addicting and fun for all skill levels. Anyone can play, day or night, indoors or out.
Wind Cave - We are a strong family based company providing quality products at a more than reasonable price.
McKinley - Fan's Fashion specifically imported various types of great quality backpacks from the manufacturers. Our backpacks range from convenient school packs, day packs to travel outdoor packs with thick padded strap and back panels. Most backpacks were made by nylon, some by canvas and suede leather. We can guarantee the quality by providing 30-day return policy.
Harding - In business since 2005, Nantucket Brand is a family owned business that produces classic clothing for men and women. Our apparel offers a relaxed yet sophisticated look with items including patchwork madras, Bermuda shorts, reversible seersucker hooded sweatshirts, and linen jackets. We operate two of our own retail stores including our flagship store on Nantucket Island, MA (opened 2007) and our 2nd store in downtown Charleston, SC (opened 2008).
Monte Cristallo - Global Crafts was founded in 2002 by Kevin Ward and Renice Jones, who met as volunteer computing teachers in Kenya, realized the capacity of the web to help individual artisans. After three years in Kenya they came to the USA and setup Global Crafts, initially as a small Fair Trade retail store. It soon became apparent that to sell in volume and change the lives of the artisans, the wholesale business would have to grow. Starting in a garage at home Global Crafts has become a $1 million a year outlet for Fair Trade artisan handicrafts. We look forward to continued growth in the next few years and hope we are making a small difference.