GBauctions

I have, for some time, been contemplating interaction between GB Auctions and a social network site. To this end i am in the final stages of launching a social network site based on utbe, twitter, mayspace and a host of others.

You might say, “Why a social network site?” Simply put, the atmoshpere has gone out of auctions and auction sites. The whole industry has become too bland and now more orientated towards buy it now stores. There is just not any excitement anymore. Social network integration has the potential to bring back the unknown quantity auctions provide.

Whilst i fully intend the site to be primarily social networking, i do fully intend to have areas incorporated for GB Auctions sellers and buyers to interact more closely with each other. Not just by a forum, but by individual blogs and groups, and also with sellers having a video promotions spot for there auctions and sales. A free advertising component will also be integrated into this new format.

I think a very important feature will be the way specialist group functions will be applied to help not only buyers and sellers to more closely react with each other, but for the global social members to have a far closer knowledge of those sellers who join, there trading ethics and the quality and type of items they present for sale. It will hopefully open up a far larger and more diverse customer base potential.

These features and the many more available, which relate to Auctions and online selling, will only be available to active sellers and buyers using GB Auctions. When the site opens and new social networking members join I hope many will be attracted to using GB Auctions for purchases.

This new concept is about three months away from being launched, but i will update this blog as things progress.

PEACE, a word that is dear to us all in all aspects of life.

Now the word has made its own way into the Internet Auction Industry. “POSITIVE ECOMMERCE AUCTION COILITION EXCHANGE” A group of new or small auctions sites that are coming together to work together to promote not only themselves, but the good aspects of internet trading using auctions or e commerce stores.

The purpose behind this coilition is to stop the ever increasing site wars now seen on many open auction forums and to bring about required standards from auction sites, there admin and sellers using those sites. It is not intended this group trade as a cooperative type movement. Each member site will be independant and conduct its own business, but operate within the rules of PEACE.

Will this be a successfull move by member auction sites. There is no reason to suggest it will be nothing less than a very successfull coilition which will improve the auction and ecommerce industry. Of course there will always be internet sociapaths whos very existense revolves around demeaning others and there interests, but those apart there is no reason why this group cannot be the founders of a very large membership group that will transform the internet auctions and e commerce businesses into a well respected and trusted means of buying and selling on line.

All the basics for such a group are in place and over the coming period this will be expanded into a very comprehensive guidline and rules to ensure all who use those member sites and the sites themselves operate at the very highest level. Of course the immediate advantage to sites themselves will be the accumilated experience of all member sites and the advantage of extensive promotional opportunites this offers. Sellers will benefit from these promotional opportunites and buyers will know they are using a site that is operating to a very high degree of ethics and standards.

GB Auctions and our NEW sister site Auctions Worldwide have both become members and we hope to be able to make a worthwhile contribution to this new and much needed move towards proper internet trading at all levels. You can find all member sites here http://auctionpeace.com/forums/index.php?action=forum

Thank you and we hope as buyers or sellers you support this initiative fully.

Reading many forums, it’s not very hard to see the real state of online auctions and the reasons why.

Firstly it has to be appreciated auction sites are provided by the owners as a platform for those wishing to sell or those wishing to buy. This platform is subject to the terms and conditions as laid down by the individual site. Registered users agree to abide by those terms and conditions.

What many fail to appreciate is the type of platform being provided. There are really only two basic types of auction sites. A virtual shopping precdinct that offers a professional approach to selling or a sunday type flea market that is what it suggests it is. Sadly to say, its the flea market type aoppraoch that is at the forefront at this time.

The blame for this has to rest equally with site owners and sellers. And nothing more could prove this point other than site forums. These show a decided lack of control and business accumen by owners, and the desire of sellers to effect some form of control on preceedings.

The whole idea of a site forum is to bring all users together in a communty aspect. For sellers to raise issues they feel important for public response and for buyers to get correct and informative feedback on issues that apply to themselves. This is also for the benefit of site owners who should be able to judge the state of play relative to there site from all postings made.

This is now, sadly to say, very rarely the case due to two main issues. The appointment of administrators who do not have the correct level of people skills to handle such a vitally important roll and who value there own preservation and authority to the detrement of the meaning of open forum. To many forum administrators this authority is nothing more than a toy to play with and something with which they can try to show there internet skills. Or as in most cases, the lack of and also business accumen.

The other reason being the site owners themselves who allow situations to arise that would never have done so if they had set proper and correct guidlines. I have not seen a auction site forum that specifically stated the use of the forum is for business related issues, comments and suggestions. They all mostly appear to me to be nothing more than general chit chat venues for childish adults who rarely, but not in all cases, have something of value or interest to say.

To look at some posts from a buyers perspective makes me shudder. Over sized text in ludicrous colours, meaningless clipart, far too big for the actual post, and meaningless posts that would simply turn buyers away. Of course, it should be mentioned also that buyers do not wish to enter a forum to gain information of interest only to see silly childish fallouts. The buyer wants to read forums that are interesting and of value and which are presented in a professional business manner.

All this is very acheivable if site a owner would control not only the forum they provide, but also the people they appoint as administrators too. How often do we see posts deleted, threads locked and a general air of despondency from posters and readers. All this does the site, the sellers and the buyers no good whatsoever. And more to the point it DOES turn good and repeat buyers away who just do not wish to be associated with such a apparent unprofessional concern.

The time has now come when all have to realise a site forum is the shop window so to speak. It is what many people, buyers and sellers will judge the professional ethics of a site they wish to use or buy from.

Site owners have to control there forums better and to appoint the correct people into positions of trust and authority on those forums. Those people appointed have to realise the site will be judged on there approach to the position they hold and the way they conduct themselves overall. They have to learn and use good personal skills which relate to each individual, many who come from many different and varied cultures. But most of all. All have to realise they are not demi gods who can and do rule to suit themselves.

Provide, run and maintain a good and respected forum and half the battle for any sites success is won, or lost as the case may be.

10 Ways to Lose Web SalesThe basic elements of a web site include the content, the appearance, and the mechanics of a site. Mistakes made in any of these areas can have an impact on your sales. You can avoid some of the common errors by learning what they are. The following list points out ten of the more common mistakes web page builders make and how to avoid them.

1. Poor site navigation. This arises generally from having inconsistent navigation links, not having enough navigation links, and links that are not clearly labeled. Easy navigation is essential to keeping prospective buyers at your site. Provide plenty of links on your home page, giving visitors an overview of your web site’s content and choices. Provide links to your home page and main sections (such as order form, contact page, products, and articles) on every page. Visitors may not visit your pages in the sequence you would like them to. Provide a site map (table of contents) if your site has more than twenty pages. Make sure all links are working.

2. Large images. If images have not been optimized, the pages (or graphics) will load slowly. Web visitors are usually not patient people and will leave if they have to wait too long for a page to come up. Reduce the number and size of your images, and make sure to optimize them.

3. Too many colors. Too many colors on a page can be distracting and colors that clash can be disruptive. Keep colors consistent and limit them to a maximum of three colors.

4. Hard to read fonts. If the font is too ornate, such as a calligraphy font, your text may not be readable. Use easy-to-read fonts such as Times Roman and Arial. Use dark text on a light background for easy readability.

5. Too many images or not enough images. The right pictures can add a lot to a web page. If you only have text and no images, your web page is less interesting to look at and visitors may easily become bored with reading all of the text. On the other hand, too many images can be distracting. Use targeted images that support your sales message.

6. Inappropriate images. If your images are inappropriate for the contents of your site, they will do more to hurt your sales than help.

7. Too much text. Your visitors will lose interest early on and may never get to your special offer. If you have a long sales letter, make sure to make it interesting, put your most important benefits at the top of the page, and break up the text with benefit-oriented subheadings and bulleted listings.

8. Unfocused text. This is a sure way to turn your readers and potential customers off. If your writing is unclear, rambling, or lacking in useful information, readers will assume that you lack professionalism and this will certainly result in lost sales. The solution? Focus your content to your audience, talk their language and provide plenty of benefits.

9. Spelling and grammar errors. These will reflect badly on you and your product. Thoroughly edit your content and have someone else edit it as well.

10. Lack of action words. Tell people what you want them to do. If you do not include enough action words (e.g. buy now, subscribe now, download now, and join now), your visitors may not make the decision to make a purchase from you. If you don’t tell them what you want them to do, they likely will not do it.

Avoid these errors, and you will be well on your way to having a focused, user-friendly, effective and successful web site!

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com

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Thank you for taking the time to visit GB Auctions (GBA) and our new blog site. Please use our GBA blog to write comments and suggestions, or begin a lively discussion with other blog users. GBA is a unique auction site opportunity that helps you connect with international buyers and sellers. We are working hard to make your GBA experience a positive one. Shop our stores, or register for a store of your own. We are here to assist you in developing a successful online business and make your buying experience enjoyable. If you have GB Auction site questions, please use our 24/7 online support to contact on of our administrative team.

Sharron Mirikitani
Collectible Treasures Emporium