In this episode of the Ecommerce Podcast host Shaun Ryan, CEO, SLI Systems, interviews Alan Trzuskoski, ecommerce manager for Abe’s of Maine, a family-owned online retail business of consumer electronics. Listen in as Shaun and Alan discuss tactics that improve the browsing experience for online shoppers, and to help connect shoppers to products faster.

For instance, the Abe’s of Maine site will soon add personalization to home and product pages that will list products that the shopper has already viewed, or similar products that the shopper might like based on past purchases.

Tune in to find out more!

Length 18 mins and 21 secs.

Transcript: Alan Trzuskoski from Abe’s of Maine

 

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Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems talks to Gary Ingram from The Diamond Store (www.thediamondstore.co.uk/).

Podcast host Shaun Ryan, and Ingram discussed how to bring the benefits of real-world shopping experiences into the online world, especially for touch-and-feel products such as jewelry.

The Diamond Store sells diamond and precious-gem jewelry, with a good portion of its business devoted to engagement and wedding rings. Since many people may be buying jewelry as a gift, The Diamond Store ships elaborate gift packaging and presentation folders along with purchases.

Ingram states that it’s challenging to give shoppers a comfort level with what is generally an expensive purchase. The website offers 3D images that can be rotated as needed, so buyers can experience the product as realistically as possible.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Transcript: Gary Ingram from The Diamond Store

Length 23 mins and 38 secs.

 

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Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems talks to Mike Feiman from PoolDawg (www.pooldawg.com/).

Podcast host Shaun Ryan, and Feiman discuss how the online and catalog retailer of pool cues, billiards tables and accessories is using social media to connect with customers – including a blog that’s “written” by Pooldawg’s ceramic bulldog mascot Frank.

Feiman explains that the “Frank’s Dawg House” blog (which Feiman himself writes) is a key part of the retailer’s social media strategy, and has attracted quite a following.

PoolDawg also operates a Facebook fan page, currently with almost 600 fans, and a Twitter feed. Both the Facebook fan page and Twitter feed alert fans to interesting news articles about the game of pool, as well as sales and promotions at the PoolDawg site.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Transcript: Mike Feiman from PoolDawg

Length 18 mins and 38 secs.

 

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Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems talks to Pat Pepe from West Florida Components (www.westfloridacomponents.com/).

Transcript: Pat Pepe from West Florida Components

Length 15 mins and 48 secs.

 

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Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems talks to Braden Hoeppner from Coastal Contacts (www.coastalcontacts.com).

Coastal Contacts is an online retailer of contact lenses and eyewear that operates web storefronts in the U.S., Canada and Japan.

Shaun and Braden trade ideas on the retailer’s recent expansion of its product lines, and attracting and retaining customers with interactive product features.

Listen to the audio to find out more about Coastal Contact’s interesting story.

Transcript: Braden Hoeppner from Coastal Contacts

Length 23 mins and 20 secs.

 

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Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems talks to Hadley Reynolds from IDC (www.idc.com).

In this podcast interview, Hadley and Shaun, discuss how search is becoming an ever more important part of the online user experience.

Hadley states that, “search has become more and more central to how people find things and navigate online. It’s how they understand the online world. And the trend is for search to become a much bigger part of the interaction model.” He also addresses the big challenges facing site owners in particlular the popularity of mobile devices, and the constraints they place on search.

To find out more listen to Shaun’s interview with Hadley.

Transcript: Hadley Reynolds from IDC

Length 39 mins and 23 secs.

 

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Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems talks to Rob McNair from the Tiso Group (www.tiso.com/).

Transcript: Rob McNair from the Tiso Group

Length 29 mins and 41 secs.

 

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Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems talks to Lizzy Klein from Folica (www.folica.com/).

Folica.com offers more than 5,000 hair care and styling products for women and men. In the podcast interview, Lizzy Klein and host Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems, discuss how to capitalize on social networking buzz about a company, as well as the need to organize an online storefront based on customer buying habits.

Lizzy also discusses the forthcoming redesign of Folica.com, which will incorporate channels that allow shoppers with specific hair care needs to fine-tune their navigation of the site. The redesigned site will incorporate user-generated content, as well as expert advice from top hair care professionals.

Transcript: Lizzy Klein from Folica

Length 16 mins and 34 secs.

 

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Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems talks to Jason Miller from Motorcycle Superstore (www.motorcycle-superstore.com/).

Shaun and Jason discuss how Motorcycle Superstore had a 60% growth rate this year through the economic recession and the secrets to their success. Jason talks about some of their upcoming projects including expanding internationally, a new customer loyalty program and a personal shopping assistant.

Motorcycle Superstore offers the largest online selection of motorcycle gear including helmets, parts, apparel, tires and so much more. They also have a loyal following of their online and print magazine, Motorcycle USA.

Transcript: Jason Miller from Motorcycle Superstore

Length 17 mins and 12 secs.

 

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Shaun Ryan, CEO of SLI Systems talks to Sascha Deri from Alternative Energy Store (www.altestore.com).

Shaun and Sascha discuss the value for ecommerce businesses in supporting the entire lifecycle of customer needs – from education to installation – thereby building long-lasting relationships with customers.

AltEstore provides renewable energy products such as solar panels and efficient batteries. The company works hard to educate customers about the benefits of renewable enery, and how to install and maintain the systems they buy from AltEStore.

Deri notes that in a tough economic climate, ecommerce businesses that simply provide products will find it difficult to engage customers. AltEstore’s ecommerce site has gradually added instructional videos and articles under a “learn” tab on the site, encouraging visitors to the get the most out of their purchases from the company.

Transcript: Sascha Deri from Alternative Energy Store

Length 26 mins and 07 secs.

 

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