Online Shopping Malls – Convenience To A Whole New Level

Online Shopping Malls – Convenience To A Whole New Level

Technology has long dictated how people should act, behave and do things. This includes how and where people buy clothing, electronic gadgets, toys, foods and other goods. With the commercial environment rapidly changing by the second, the public now realizes that there’s a more convenient place to shop than the traditional way – the online shopping mall.

Why Do Many People Like To Shop Online?

Probably one of the reasons why many shoppers now prefer shopping online compared to going through the hassle of driving to town to shop is the cash back benefit. Today, many online retailers entice their loyal customers by offering coupons that give them instant rebates for their online purchases. Online shopping centers offer rebates to those who frequently shop and also to those who shop heavily. As opposed to going to the physical stores downtown, it also takes less time for one to spot for items that have coupons or promos as they are normally arranged in one page section online. You no longer have to browse through each item saving you some valuable time.

To add, it’s very easy to shop online given the very wide selection of items and stores available. It is literally bigger than the inventory of products seen in any physical shopping mall in the world. You can shop from any online store wherever it is located since fast 24 hours to one week shipping is already available. Nonetheless, many stores entice shoppers with a free shipping benefit.

It is a given that people shop at downtown stores during their leisure time. And so, it is safe to say that they are going to shop whenever they think that the time is convenient to do so. However, shopping online brings convenience to a whole new level. You are much more relaxed and can visit online stores any time. You need not wait for your leisure time to shop. Even if you’re busy, you can still purchase your favorite items for as long as you have at least 5 minutes to spare. It’s that easy.

Why would you still go and shop at physical malls when the Internet is offering you a better method of shopping? It will not be surprising to see that online shopping will become more popular than traditional shopping in the next few years. Most especially if consumers will have ready access to the Internet and if online merchants or retailers have further improved consumer protection against fraud. By then, buying over the Internet will surely become safer than ever. If you haven’t tried it yet, go ahead and visit an online shopping mall. Once you realized that it’s not that scary as you think it is, for sure you’ll be spending more of your time and money online.…

Bangkok BTS Sky Train – The Best Way To Get Around Bangkok

Bangkok BTS Sky Train – The Best Way To Get Around Bangkok

Sightseeing and shopping in Bangkok is easy. Especially if you use one of the best mass transit system in Bangkok called the BTS (Bangkok Transit System) Sky Train. It’s cheap, efficient and can get you quickly to most parts of interest in central Bangkok. But most importantly the Sky Trains are air-conditioned, which will be much appreciated during an often hot and hazy day in Bangkok.

The Sky Trains run from 6am to 12am daily. Though the official closing time is 12am the stations usually will not allow passengers into the stations starting around 11:30pm. So make sure you plan accordingly. Riding the trains is very simple since signs, maps and station stops are announced in English besides Thai. And all the station booth attendants are able to communicate in English too.

The Sky Train has only 2 lines and run on elevated train tracks above Bangkok’s often congested roads:

Sukhumvit – This line will take you to popular shopping malls in Bangkok.

Silom – This line will take you to Bangkok’s commercial business district and to a station where you can catch the Express River Boats for the quickest trip to Grand Palace and Wat Pho Temple.

As of writing the BTS trains systems are not too extensive, though it can take you to some of Bangkok’s most popular points of interest such as:

Central World

Gaysorn

Emporium

Siam Paragon

MBK

Jim Thompson House

Bangkok Art Culture Center

Both BTS train lines are also able to get visitors to the city’s popular nightlife districts as well:

Patpong – Take the Silom line to BTS Sala Daeng station

Nana – Take the Sukhumvit line to BTS Nana station

Soi Cowboy – Take the Sukhumvit line to BTS Asok Station

There are different types of fares that can be purchased, such as single journey to multi-pass. If you know you will be using the BTS trains a lot to get around it is best to buy a mult-pass fare. Multi-pass fares are stored with the amount you’ve deposited and deducted like a debit card. This way you will avoid ticket lines during the often hectic rush hours in some of the most well used stations.

Finally if you really want to make the best of your vacation in Bangkok it is best to stay in a hotel near a BTS station. There are many hotels that are cheap and affordable to expensive luxury hotels near them.

Taking the Sky Train is simply the best way to get around Bangkok. The city has a reputation for one of the worst traffic jams in Southeast Asia. Once you’re on a Sky Train moving past vehicle traffic below then you will know why this popular mode of transportation is so aptly names.…

Helpful Hints For Fashion Novices And Pros

Helpful Hints For Fashion Novices And Pros

There is no stage in your life where you do not want to dress and look great. When you look nice, it tells the world that you care about yourself. You also indicate that you care about others because you want to be pleasing to look at and be around. For easy fashion tips and advice, keep reading.

Fashions are constantly changing, so look for some basic items of clothing that you can add to and create a new look. A great fitting pair of black pants are the basic look you can dress up or dress down, as well as wear in summer or during the winter months.

Fashion Clothes

Proper care of clothing items ensures that they will last for many years. You won’t need to wash clothes as often if you hang them up after you wear them. If you want your clothes to last longer, bypass machine drying them in favor of air drying on hangers.

Fashion Style

Do not count on Hollywood to guide you in the right direction when it comes to fashion style. Due to competitive fashion, there are many mistakes made in an attempt to attract attention. So it to look to those around you for fashion tips so you do not stand too far out from the crowd.

Fashion Trends

In order to make sure that you can fit into the latest fashion trends you are going to want to make sure that you are as slim as possible. Diet and exercise so you don’t feel embarrassed because you can’t fit into some of the latest trends that this season’s fashion has to offer you.

Latest Fashion

Look inside fashion magazines to get an idea of what you should be wearing for this season. You don’t have to get clothes that directly match what the latest fashion is. However, you can form a style that is very similar so people may know you are up to date with the latest fashion.

Latest Fashion Trends

In order to make sure that you can fit into the latest fashion trends you are going to want to make sure that you are as slim as possible. Diet and exercise so you don’t feel embarrassed because you can’t fit into some of the latest trends that this season’s fashion has to offer you.

Latest Trends

In order to make sure that you can fit into the latest fashion trends you are going to want to make sure that you are as slim as possible. Diet and exercise so you don’t feel embarrassed because you can’t fit into some of the latest trends that this season’s fashion has to offer you.

New Fashion

While some fashions go in and out of style, and new fashion trends are set all of the time, the seasons have certain rules regarding fashion that tend to stick around. For instance, during the spring, wear brighter colors and stand out. During the fall and winter months, go for more earthly tones and reserved patterns.

When you make an effort to look and dress great, people notice. They know you care about yourself, and they appreciate that you do not hurt their eyes. Now that you have read this article, you should have a mind full of easy ideas on how to look absolutely awesome!…

Makes A Hard Man Humble

Makes A Hard Man Humble

Murray Head was dead on. One night in Bangkok definitely makes a hard man humble. Trying to describe Bangkok is like trying to explain Las Vegas – clamor, lights, food, relaxation – but one cannot truly articulate how one feels in either place. It has to be experienced in person.

Bangkok is invigorating, scary, exciting, happening, and breathtaking all at the same time. From the second you arrive at Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok’s International Airport, you will recognize that you are not in Kansas anymore.

Traffic zipping down small alleyways, skytrains overhead, long-tail boats in the canals, and bright lights everywhere. You have arrived in Bangkok, the City of Angels.

Clamorous Bangkok nightlife attracts a lot of people, mostly tourists from the West. All bars, clubs and discos are always crowded. Noise, smoke, different shows and Thais massage become the symbols of unforgettable Bangkok nights. Anything and everything is readily available if the price is right.

As Thailand’s capital, Bangkok boasts the outstanding monuments of country’s past. Bangkok’s best temples include Wat Trimitr with its five and a half ton solid gold Buddha, Wat Po with its huge reclining Buddha – the first traditional massage school in Thailand, (massages are available.) and Wat Banjamaborpitr – the White Marble Temple – one of Bangkok’s most beautiful temples with impressive Thai architecture. Even if you’re short on time you should visit with the Grand Palace – Bangkok’s most famous landmark is a former residence of the King of Thailand.

In November Bangkok hosts the Loy Krathong Festival. Loy Krathong is celebrated in different styles. This special festival includes a revival of traditional ceremonies, games, contests and competitions: Krathong Competition, and Thai costume contest. The festival lasts several days. You can choose only one of them – and see the most beautiful Thais traditions and the most impressive national dresses.

One night in Bangkok will only have you longing for more. More bars, more clubs, more food, more shopping, more of everything.

But, tear yourself away from the neon lights of the big city, and head for the beach. An hour or two drive away and you can be in Pattaya, Hua Hin, Cha-am, or Jomtien. A short flight will take you away to the islands; Koh Chang, Koh Samui, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and many many more.

Or, for more adventure, head northeast to the Isaan region of Thailand and experience all that it has to offer. Temples, markets, mountains, and the best Thai food in the country.

So much to do in Thailand and so little time if you are on holiday. You will just have to make the most of your short stay and then on your flightr home, start to plan your next Thailand adventure.

Yes, One night in Bangkok does make a hard man humble.…

E-Commerce Tips for Small Businesses – Top 5

Make it easy to check-out
Having a complicated checkout process is the downfall of many e-commerce sites. People generally don’t like waiting to pay online just as they don’t like standing in long queues at supermarket tills.
Don’t use your checkout process as a method of gathering as much customer data as you can, give people an option to pay and leave without having to register their details.
Try to sell other items
When you’ve got a customer ready to pay for their items, it’s easier to sell to them than a completely cold prospect. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to try and up-sell or cross-sell other items that are related to what they’re already buying.
For example, if you’re an online florist you may want to offer balloons, Champagne and chocolates at the checkout stage to maximise your online profits.
Utilise email marketing
People who have bought from your online shop previously should never be ignored or forgotten about.
Don’t focus all your efforts on finding new customers for your e-commerce site. Your previous clients already know your products and level of service so are usually much easier to sell to.
Repeat business is of critical important to the survival of any shop, whether online or offline. Make sure you send out regular email newsletters with exclusive offers to encourage people to buy from you again.
Use your product descriptions to sell
Many e-commerce sites sell other people’s products. It’s quicker and easier to just use the standard descriptions for your products than writing your own but it has disadvantages when it comes to sales and SEO.
For example, let’s say a manufacturer’s description of a mobile phone said “VPX-10 Model, Available in Black, Lightweight”. That doesn’t really convey any benefits to the consumer and if lots of other sites have the same description, it will have no impact on SEO either.
Well written and unique product descriptions whether they’re for yours or someone else’s products will make your site stand out, get more sales and boost your search engine results.
Optimise, optimise, optimise
Optimising your e-commerce site shouldn’t stop at your product descriptions. If you’re able to write keyword rich URLs, meta titles, meta descriptions and headings for each product you’re much more likely to get them found online.
For example, if you’re an online jewellers, all your products should have a unique page (using the attributed listed above) selling exactly what they are rather than just all being labelled something general such as “jewellery”.…

To eRetail Or Not to eRetail?

To eRetail Or Not to eRetail?

Valentines Day is fast approaching and for those of you who enjoy the art of gift-giving but not of gift-shopping, maybe eRetail is the fix you’ve been waiting for.

Whether your looking for that perfect diamond ring, or shimmering heart pendant, the state of the economy will, without a doubt, have an impact on the amount consumers will spend this Valentines Day. So for those of you who want to buy more for less, online retailers should definitely be at the top of your list. Online retailers make hundreds, sometimes even thousands of sales per day. The constant flow of inventory allows them to dramatically lower their prices and also permits them to negotiate better prices with their suppliers, which can only lower their prices even further. Additionally, the online retail market is very competitive, therefore online retailers constantly try to outperform each other by introducing new sales and promotions.

However, the most pressing concern of any prospective internet shopper is the legitimacy of the website he plans to purchase from. The following tips can help you establish whether or not the website is secure and trustworthy.

1) Review the T&C’s

T&C is short for terms and conditions, and every reputable eCommerce website should have them. Usually labeled under “Terms of Use”, these are a set of guidelines you must agree to and the company must follow. Another important area you should look over would be the “Privacy Statement”, which outlines how they handle the personal information you provide – specifically the standard privacy practices they follow in addition to outlining who they share your personally identifiable information with (keep in mind that e-retailers are required to share some of your personally identifiable information with third parties who are involved in your order i.e. the shipping courier or their merchant account provider).

2) Check for third-party seals of approval

There are many companies on the world wide web that provide seals of approval to particular websites who meet a certain criteria. Oftentimes the website must uphold a certain level of privacy and security practices in order to obtain the icon which they can display on their website. eCommerce websites pay monthly or yearly fees to maintain their recognition.

SSL Certificates are an example of third party seals of approval, which guarantee the security of the website and oftentimes insure the consumer for thousands of dollars against any fraudulent activity. Here are some examples of popular SSL certificates Some SSL providers:

Comodo

Verisign

Thawte

Geotrust

For more information on SSL certificates visit the Verisign website

Other popular seals include:

TRUSTe

Better Business Bureau

3) Keep an eye out for security signs

When entering your personal information (ex: credit card information) keep an eye out for two important secure page signs. The first obvious sign would be the appearance of a lock at the bottom right of your internet browser. The second, less obvious sign, is the appearance of the letter “s” at the end of the http:// in your address bar (i.e. it now becomes https://).

4) See what others are saying

One of the most important factors determining whether or not you will purchase from a website should be based on their customer reviews (keep in mind that one unhappy customer is more likely to write an E-review than 50 satisfied customers). But, if you notice a definite trend in unsatisfactory behavior or practices outlined by the reviews it might be wise to steer clear. Great places to look at e-retailer reviews:

Bizrate

epinions

The great news is some e-retailers have made it much easier by linking their webpage to a third-party customer review website for you.

So is shopping online safe? My answer to that is YES, but there are a few safety tips you should know of first.…

Ecommerce Software With ‘Related Products’ Feature

It’s a feature that’s been on the ecommerce scene for a while, but not many online shop owners are using it to its full potential. When we shop online and buy a product, more often that not we’ll be encouraged to look at similar products – usually from the same seller.
Amazon is a particularly good example of this. Next time you add a book or item of stationary to your shopping basket as a for instance, scroll down the page and you will find a row of ‘related product’ boxes. This feature has a dual function: it lets you know about goods that are likely to be of interest whilst subtly persuading you into the buy-it-now domain.
No matter what trade you’re in, anyone and everyone should be using the related products feature wherever possible to maximise their online sales. Check that your ecommerce software package has this function, and enable it or edit the settings in the control panel next time you log in. It gives your customers the chance to explore other complimentary items as well as operating as an essential up-sell technique.
Let’s say you’re in the sportswear industry selling swimwear and other accessories for use in swimming sessions. You would advertise products like goggles, hats, and water bottles (related products) alongside your swimsuits in order to drive more transactions through your online shop. It makes sense to offer your customers more scope for finding items of interest, after all, the idea is to gain as much custom as you can from you customer base.
Of course, there is more likelihood of this working that not generating any extra income from it at all. The main reason being that customers are in the ‘buying domain’ when the related products feature is activated. There’s always that chance that one of your clients will opt for an item that comes as a recommended purchase – especially if you set up special offers and promotions on your products.
There are ecommerce software platforms that are starting to incorporate this element to give your online shop added features and functionality. Make sure you get the most out of your online shop by choosing a system that supports related products. Don’t forget to ask about your ecommerce software provider for help if you have any difficulty using this feature with products from your online store, they should be more than happy to help.…