Theme: Landing Pages
Issue 44, March 15, 2001

In this issue we tackle the vital subject of designing a "landing page" from your paid advertising that will actually sell. For small merchants and merchants outside the US, we review CCNow.com, a credit card transaction system that doesn't require you to have a Merchant Account.

I wish you every success selling online!

God bless you,
Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, Editor

How to Make an Effective Ad 'Landing Page'

When any of your paid ads points to your website, the URL you specify must succeed in getting your visitor to take an action or you've wasted your advertising dollars. Here's how to construct an ad "landing page" that actually works. Read the Article.

Product Review: CCNOW.com

Here's a way for small and foreign merchants to take orders in US dollars without a Merchant Credit Card Account and with no set-up fees. Too good to be true. Despite two drawbacks, this will suit some beginning merchants. Read the Review.

Updates

Here are a couple of items that might interest you:

Bigstep.com now allows merchants to take payments via PayPal.com. This is best suited for services rather than products, since it doesn't work with Bigstep's shopping cart. Bigstep.com will soon be moving beyond their "free" e-commerce services to provide a paid upgrade for $19.95 to include some asked for features, such as e-mail service, multi-media uploads, additional disk space, removal of BigStep logo from merchant site, and quicker customer service. http://www.bigstep.com/

CyberCash has been undergoing financial difficulties. According to the CyberCash website as of March 2, 2001, "Network 1 will acquire all of CyberCash’s operating assets. As part of this strategy, CyberCash today elected to utilize the procedures offered by Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code." They promise, "Please rest assured that we will continue to provide the same high quality customer service that has made us the world leader in payment processing." http://www.cybercash.com/

New Ecommerce and Web Marketing Articles

Each month our team of link editors scours dozens of online periodicals and resources to find key information on e-commerce and Web marketing. With so much new literature available to you, how do you find what you need quickly and painlessly? Here's a selective and searchable database of article and resource links to help your research and keep you up-to-date in the field. (Links gathered in a given month are usually available during the second week of the following month.)