Domain Name Registration Promotion ONLY $9.99

I was just thinking earlier today that I should start a post series on DEALS that can be found on our products and services. Honestly with everything going on and all the bad news you might here about the economy, you have to cut costs. Well, I've got the inside track and I wanted to make sure to pass along anything I might find that is an exceptional deal.

It's not like it's a big secret, but the company I work for does not sell the cheapest domain names on the market. What might get misunderstood along the way is that we have never attempted to do so. It took me a while to understand this distinction, but most other web services business lose money on the domain name transaction in the hope that the client will sign up for hosting and / or e-commerce and other services. Simply put, the cheap registrars commonly lose money on each renewal and registration. Though that saves the client money in the short term, it makes the registrar's business model harder to sustain when they are identified as a registrar only. We are not just a registrar and we are not normally a source for cheap domains. We are a service-based solution for small business owners who like to know they are dealing with someone who knows what they're doing and is going to be around for awhile.

So when a company working in that direction can still offer a semi-secret promotion on domain names for only $9.99, it should cause some heads to turn. Let me say that again a different way.

Register A New Domain Name With Network Solutions for only $9.99!

And that's not at that special price only when bundled with other products and services OR when you mention a special code word OR sign up for our newsletter. We normally give a free domain when you sign up for one year of service, but this goes one step further. It seemed super special to me, especially if you want to take advantage of the new free business profiles included with each domain.

If what you want is cheap, go pay for cheap and settle for cheap. But if you want a premiere provider and to get a discounted price at signup, reconsider Network Solutions. We are not, nor have we ever been out to swindle anyone. Instead we tell you exactly what you get and what you will pay for it. Our prices are usually higher because our services are better. We are striving forward. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Keep in mind that this site is not a company mouthpiece and I am not just passing something along to help us, but I want to help you. I talk to e-commerce merchants every day and I'm concerned about their well being and their bottom lines. Frankly some of them have more bravery and guts than I do. But more than that, I like to write about the internet and specific stuff related to e-commerce, not just my job. Please know that it won't always be about Network Solutions. But when there's a deal like this one, I cannot keep it to myself. The catch? It ends right before midnight on March 19^th, so you better hurry.

Net Bombarded by Heaviest Ever Attacks

We've had some intermittent network issues across a decidedly small (but vocal) section of our clients. I'm far removed from both the problem and solution right now, so I am not qualified to comment on it. But I hear the problems are difficult to duplicate from our end, indicating that it is not for certain an issue on our server, but instead an issue with the networks connecting to our our network. Could general security malware traffic on the Internet be causing the problem? You decide. See the Tech News on ZDNet.

Regardless, we are doing everything we possibly can to address the different problems (because they are very different issues presenting the same or similar symptoms). Whatever is in our team's control to resolve we will get it done. I apologize to anyone experiencing errors or performance problems and want to reassure you that we are getting it taken care of.

Migration Has Begun

The massive work project of migrating E-commerce software version 4.x to version 7.2 has begun in earnest this week. It's going to get crazy busy around here. Although my role is not directly involved in inbound calls or tickets, but monitoring inbound calls and scoring them for quality, I am tasked with helping out as much as I can when necessary.

As I have predicted, the main brunt of the reaction so far mainly deals with the 'newness' factor. The merchants are accustomed to running their business and web site a certain way on a daily basis and the new system is laid out very differently. Certainly, the most glaring issues are features that were in version 4.x, but are not yet in version 7.2. Some of them are coming soon, but some of them will never be implimented. There is a certain moment of "Why'd You Remove That Feature?!" that occurs, but it's not insurmountable.

What surprises me are the slightly nitpick requests for minor changes that from a certain point of view seem really irrelevant. Software improvements that would benefit all clients using version 7.2 --even those clients that have never seen version 4.6-- are very important and going to get put at the top of the list. But examples that are mundane or easily ignored make me scratch my head. For instance, in v4, when a merchant viewed their orders the customer's shipping information was on the right and their billing information was on the left. However, version 7 has this on the opposite side. If you have a whole team of employees and they're used to it on the other side, this might be a feature request that would seem important. But hopefully everyone understands that this is not make or break.

As an analogy, imagine that I'm going to take away your old jalopy of a vehicle and replace it with a fancy hot rod sports car with all the modern features. It's gonna be the most spectacular ride you've ever sat in, let alone driven. However, there's just one problem. It was made in Germany for British customers. The driver's side is on the right side rather than the left. So, would you sheepishly ask me about this feature? Would you request that it be moved back to the other side like you are used to? Heck no! You'd get in that kitten and make it purr. (...did I really just type that? Yuck.)

This new software is that hot rod. It's the hot rod that everyone's been waiting for. The uninitiated would assume that the whole left/right thing wouldn't even warrant a mention among other more important improvements that are already coming soon. The uninitiated would be wrong...

• Billing/shipping Information
• Please Put The Billing And Shipping Address In Standard Position

Don't get me wrong. I'm not judging these requests and I'm not in a position at the company to affect the decisions on what features get implemented and which ones don't. I'm thankful for that too, as it is likely a stressful position. I guess I'd just like to say that version 7 is damn good and I'm ready to evangelize it to anyone who will listen.

My favorite response to the new version? Check this out.

[The old version]... was working, why change? Did anybody ask for this change? Who said, things are running very smooth, lets screw everything up! How do we switch back to the previous version? [more details]

Who asked for change? Well, I'm really trying not be too blunt here, but you did. Yes, you: Mr. or Mrs. John Q. Client. Our clients as a group were asking for large feature changes across the board and our software development team has delivered those:

• Better stability
• Better SEO features
• Better integration with QuickBooks®
• Keyword URLs
• Better WYSIWYG editor
• ...and ridiculous amounts of little usability improvements all over the place!

Certainly there have been some hiccups along the way --as there will be in any major upgrade like this. I don't know how many times I need to repeat this, but the entire e-commerce platform was re-written from the ground up, starting with code line one. Does this mean that certain more obscure features, such as an export tailor-made for Endicia, might not be implemented right away? Yes. Does this mean that these very very intelligent and adaptable merchants and business owners will have to adjust to new ways of working? Yes! Once they get over that hump will they have the best solution that money can buy? Well, you be the judge. I already know my answer.

E-Commerce Pro v7.0 Press Release

I can deliver a press release on my blog right?

Premier Online Solutions Provider Network Solutions® Releases E-Commerce Pro v7.0 Web Site Creator Package

Network Solutions makes conducting online business easier with the release of its latest E-Commerce Pro Website Creator package. A number of advancements have been integrated into the new version of the award-winning e-commerce solution to simplify the task of maintaining an online store.

(PRWEB) – Nearly 10,000 online stores are already powered by Network Solutions e-commerce products, which helped sell over $650 million in products and services during 2006. In order to help even more small businesses set up and run an online store, Network Solutions has just released a new version of its award-winning E-Commerce Pro Web Site Creator package. The new E-Commerce Pro v7.0 Web Site solution is an easy-to-use, one-stop tool that allows users to construct a customized online store, accept and process orders, drive traffic, and increase sales. New features and benefits in v7.0 give online entrepreneurs the power and flexibility to quickly meet their online business needs in a more straightforward and organized way via powerful yet easy to use tools right at their fingertips.

New features that are incorporated into the new E-Commerce Pro v7.0 product include a new set-up checklist that facilitates the process of a store set-up by guiding the user from start to finish. The redesigned control panel user interface makes everything easier to find and use, with a new look and feel to allow for faster, simplified design and launch time. The new point-and-click Web site design editor is easier and more flexible, incorporating click-and-drag options and potential customization of all pages. The Web site design editor gives users the ability to manage and make changes to the site design at any time. Newly integrated Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools can help the site get higher rankings on the major search engines, thanks to a built-in sitemap and search engine friendly URLs for product and category pages.

The release of the Network Solutions® E-Commerce Pro v7.0 software is designed to help small businesses succeed online, says Jeff Zimmerman, Vice President of Product Management at Network Solutions. New features added to our already award-winning E-Commerce Web Site package make it as easy as possible for our customers to set up their online business and manage it from day one with ease.

This award-winning e-commerce solution is designed for small business owners who want a fully customizable site design, as well as the ability to boost sales with incentives such as promotions, coupons and discounts. Network Solutions new Pro E-Commerce Web Site package is available at $99.95 a month with a $99 one-time set-up fee. To speak to a customer service representative for more information, please call 1-888-252-3266.

About Network Solutions:

Network Solutions® is a leading provider of e-commerce Web site hosting with an all-encompassing suite of products for small businesses, including domain, e-commerce, free hosting, name registration, Web promotion and other Internet solutions and strategies. With 28 years in the Web services industry, Network Solutions is committed to providing businesses simple and cost-effective web-based solutions. For more information on business to consumer and business to business e-commerce solutions, visit NetworkSolutions.com.

Milestone: 250,000 Tickets

Today was a milestone for the technical support department. We have been using one system for ticket support since about 2004 or so. The front end area that our clients see is located at MyMonsterCommerce. We reached the two-hundred and fifty-thousandth ticket today. This is a neat figure from my perspective as I was there for ticket number one in this system. In fact, I recall the system we used before that though it's name escapes me. Back then, we just called it "molasses" because that's how fast it went.

Our current system has served us well for many years, but what's most important about this milestone is that it is one quarter of a million phone calls and customer service problems solved by the best e-commerce support team in the industry.

Learn How to Sell Online with Network Solutions® Latest White Paper

Here's a press release from Network Solutions that was first distributed today.

Creating an online business requires a lot of research and planning. To aid small business owners in their pursuit for knowledge on how to sell online, Network Solutions' E-commerce experts have written a white paper, "8 Steps to Start Selling Online" available on the Network Solutions Storefront.

(PRWEB) – There has never been a better time to start an E-commerce business, which is why Network Solutions® has written a free white paper that offers business owners advice on how to sell their products and services online.

In 2006, according to comScore, consumers spent $102.1 billion online at U.S. based E-commerce sites, which does not include online auction sites, travel spending or corporate purchases, explains Jeff Zimmerman, Vice President of Product Management With so many consumers shopping online, it's imperative that brick and mortar stores and potential new online businesses alike learn the steps involved in effectively selling online.

The Network Solutions white paper, "8 Steps to Start Selling Online", is designed for use by people who are either just launching an online business for the first time, or already have a brick-and-mortar store and are venturing online for the first time. Thanks to the many insightful hints and tips presented in this white paper, selling online will be a more feasible prospect to business owners—especially those with little to no expertise managing online shopping cart software. Business owners can gain valuable insight into how to sell online ranging from choosing a relevant domain name to the importance of having a secure Web site.

The white paper points out that an ideal E-commerce Web site should be designed with the end-user (customer) in mind. Although this may seem like common sense, there are many E-commerce sites that let this focus get lost amongst the other considerations like design and navigation. This white paper also outlines how to drive more traffic to your online business via online marketing and search engine optimization. Network Solutions' white paper emphasizes and outlines imperative E-commerce tips like this— both common and obscure.

Creating a Web site for the purpose of selling products or services online entails a large amount of research and planning, says Zimmerman. When starting an online business, forgetting one simple step can make the difference between success and failure.

Overall, Network Solutions' "8 Steps to Start Selling Online" white paper is a valuable resource that all business owners should read if they want to effectively learn how to sell online, and make money selling online. As a champion of small business online solutions, Network Solutions truly wants to help small businesses achieve financial success. This is why the white paper covers all E-commerce topics that Network Solutions' experts consider most important. After downloading the Network Solutions whitepaper, business owners should be able to effectively implement these tips. Selling online becomes less risky and more profitable when proper planning, research, and expert advice is applied.

To discover E-commerce tips, selling online strategies and search engine marketing ideas download the "8 Steps to Start Selling Online" off of the Network Solutions storefront, or call Network Solutions customer service at (866) 905-0477 for more assistance.

Find out more at Network Solutions Whitepapers.

MonsterCommerce Says Goodbye to James A. Arconati

The following was posted in the internal company newsletter.

Tech Support wants to wish long-time Monster Jim Arconati the very best in his future endeavors. Jim’s last day is this Thursday. He will be taking a Web Administrator position with the Ferguson-Florissant school district, which is three minutes from his house. His contribution to Support and customer service has been very much appreciated as well as working on the JumpStart program since its inception late in 2005. Best of luck ArcoJedi!