Access e-Commerce for Native American Artisans

Access eCommercefor Native American Artisans

ObjectivesThe Internet is a tool that small businesses can

use to build an existing business, reach distant markets, and offer innovative products.

During this hands-on workshop you will: explore what businesses similar to yours are

doing online learn some ways to bring your business online discover online resources your business can

use.

What is Electronic Commerce?

E-commerce is more than selling online.

It is:

Using online resources and tools to do business better

Making money and saving money online

Activity: Critique Sites

www.chipotle.com

www.cheesylights.com

www.drango.com

Websites Should Be…

InformativeFastEasy to navigateTidyAccessibleCredible

www.angeliquesnativeart.com

Website Credibility

The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 Read the “About Us” Tribal affiliation identified? Does the seller tell you about how the

item was acquired or created? Are sacred objects, ways, knowledge, or

other forms of Native spirituality being offered for sale?

Does anything make you feel uncomfortable?

Source: www.u.arizona.edu/~ecubbins/webcrit.html

Activity: Evaluate artisan websites

www.SouthwestIndian.com www.WesstArtisans.com www.NativeCraftsOnline.com http://PuebloDirect.com www.HopiMarket.com www.AllNative.com www.NativeMall.com http://Native-Craft.com www.GuthrieStudios.com

Searching for Information

Use a directory Example: Yahoo or Google Directory

Use a search engine Use a site that indexes websites on

specific topics

Top 5 Search Engines:

Google Yahoo! Search MSN Search AOL Search Ask Jeeves

Source: Nielsen//NetRatings January 2004

Searching With Be specific

turquoise and coral bracelet = 61,700 results put phrases in quotes

"turquoise and coral bracelet“ = 381 results Use the NOT symbol -

"turquoise and coral bracelet“ –silver = 50 results

Combine symbols

www.google.com

Research Doing Business Online

Search for: New suppliers Product ideas Marketing ideas Better prices

Searching for Products for Sale

www.froogle.com

Research Your Competition

Is your competition across the world or next door?

Search engines are the key to finding your online competition

What can you do better, or different?

How to Find Your Competition

Make a list of your competitors. Use a search engine to expand the

list. Search using keywords that describe

your products or services.

Evaluate Your Competition

Visit their websites. What are they trying to do online? What do you like or dislike? What can your company do better?

Find out how popular these sites are Google using: link:www.company.com

Activity

Search for your competition or suppliers.

Tips for Shopping Online

Trust your instincts Be knowledgeable about web-based

auctions Double check pricing Read the privacy policy Review return and shipping policies Check for secure Internet connections Pay with a credit card

Source: American Bar Association www.safeshopping.org

How do you know a website is secure?

Closed lock symbol The web address begins with

https:// instead of http://

Options for Doing Business Online

Do you really need a website? Consider: Auction Websites Malls or Cooperatives

Develop your own website Virtual stores Template-based storefronts Hire a developer Do it yourself

Combine several options

Auction Websites

Malls or Coops

http://store.yahoo.net/navajoco-op

Malls or Coops

www.indigenous-art.com/26.html

Choose Locations Carefully

Activity: Explore Auctions, Malls

Auctions: www.ebay.com

Malls: www.geezer.com www.boundlessgallery.com

Virtual Storefront

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/bctc

Website Templates

Templates and hosting: www.NetSol.com (Click on Create a

Website) Test Drive BigStep at:

http://go.bigstep.com/tour/tour.htm Free for Nonprofit organizations:

www.orgsites.com

Template kits only (no hosting): http://

desktoppublishing.com/template/web/sitekits.html

Activity: See How to Build a Store

www.indianvillage.com

Domain names

What is a domain name? Why do you need one? What makes a good domain name?

.com .org .net .biz .info How much does it cost? How do you find a domain name?

www.betterwhois.com www.icann.org/registrars/accredited-list

.html

www.mycompany.com

Developing Your Own Site

Hire a web designer Learn HTML Create graphics Find a web host Determine budget Check site for errors

Consider Hiring a Website Developer

Give your business a professional appearance. To find a developer:

Interview customers Evaluate web sites Compare services Ask about site maintenance services

Learn HTML: Web Authoring Tools

Free HTML Tutorialswww.w3schools.com/html

Authoring Software (e.g: Dreamweaver, FrontPage, GoLive, HomeSite)

Tools to Create Graphics

Create a banner, logo or button with free or fee online graphics generators

3DTextMaker.com CoolText.com QuickBanner.com

Find a Web Host

Local internet service providers Domain name providers Ask others for recommendations www.webhostlist.com www.hostsearch.com

Website Costs

Setup Costs Web page design $150-$450 / page Web host setup fee $0 - $50+

Ongoing Costs Web hosting fees $0 – 100+ / month Domain name up to $35/year Web page content updating up to $30/hour

eCommerce Transactions

Merchant accounts monthly fee: $15-50 / month discount rate: 2-5% of amount transaction fee: 15-.30 / transaction

PayPal No monthly fee Transaction fee: 2.2% .30 /transaction

Tools to Check Your Site

Page errors: www.netmechanic.com/toolbox/html-code.htm

Load speed: www.optiview.com (Click on Cool Tools lower left)

Accessibility: www.cast.org/bobby

Promoting Your Website

Tell everyone about it Help search engines find you Use traditional media

Viral Marketing

“Any advertising that propagates itself the way viruses do.”

Friends and relatives Customers Website visitors

Blog

Short for Web log Web page that serves as a publicly-

accessible personal journal for an individual

Typically updated daily A soapbox of sorts Put a link to your blog page on your

website

Activity: Blogging

Browse the blogs at: www.blogarama.com

Or look at creating your own at: www.blogger.com

Deal with Business Email

Use email to draw attention to your website

Start your own email newsletter Create an email signature for

marketing Spam? Ignore it or filter it Don’t open email attachments from

unknown sources Install anti-virus software

Activity: www.CafePress.com

Summary

Become comfortable with the Internet Decide if you really need a website Explore web hosts, online malls,

auctions for features and costs Decide which services are right for

your business to meet your customer needs

Promote to every living being on the planet, and then promote some more

Resources

Online guide: www.access-ecom.info