Why I'm Digging Google+

I am not a huge fan of social media. It's something I do because I should, but Google+ is changing my mind. I started one several months ago and have ended up checking it and interacting with it almost every day. G+ has some features that make it a lot easier to use and more intuitive for me, plus I can customize it in ways that you just can't with other social networks. Here's what I'm really loving about G+ and why I willingly use it for more than just business.

8 Reasons Why Google+ is Awesome

• Communities

• You can use the search function to search anything you like, including communities. Communities are a great way to follow interests and find people who share them in a way I can understand. I'm looking at you Facebook.

• Circles

• I can create as many circles as I want, which helps to keep track of my contacts. Plus, when you want to post something that's only relevant to one group, you can choose to only share it with them. Makes it a lot easier not to spam people with content they don't want to see.

• Fave, Share, Comment

• Now you can interact with posts and share them easily. You can choose to +1 something, actually comment on it, or share it. When you share, you have the option of adding your own comment and you can post to your page, select circles or even repost to one of your communities.

• Track activity on your posts

• This is especially useful for businesses, you can easily see who is interacting with your posts. Plus the share options make it easier than ever to interact with them.

• Easily use several accounts or pages

• I have multiple accounts - personal and business - and all it takes to switch account is to click your top right icon and pick the account you want to deal with. No signing in and out, just one click. It makes it really easy to get everything done in one go.

• Intuitive page design

• I find everything on G+ really easy to read and see. It looked a little like the new Facebook layout to start, but I find the way the page is laid out easy to interact with, plus it populates very quickly. 

• Alerts at the top for activity

• Like any other Google feature, all you have to do is click the bell icon and it shows you immediately everyone who has added you to a circle, interacted with your posts, or messaged you. No fishing for information.

• You can still use hashtags, but in a useful way

• Unlike Twitter, where is still don't really get hashtags, you can use them on G+ in a way that not only makes sense but also allows you to easily see what's going on. For example, I just participated in a Thursday link round-up meant to get to know other bloggers by using #growingcircleshop. When you click the hashtag, you can see everyone's post in a simple layout so that you can interact with everyone that's used that hashtag. Twitter's hashtag list is just plain weird and I hate interacting with it. 

Last year, I heard a lot of talk about how Google+ was doomed to fail and that no one was going to use it. Now, I actually think it's going to be a major contender - not just because Google is pushing it, but because they're making it so easy to use across multiple platforms. They're making it so easy it's going to be hard not to use it soon. My advice is to set up your account now and start enjoying the benefits. Add me to one of your circles so we can connect. Now get going!

Using Coupons the Lazy Way

So You Want to Coupon But Don't Have the Time or Patience...

That's okay! I see shows like Extreme Couponing and I am always in awe. There are some incredibly talented and organized people in the world who know how to work a deal! However, I am not one of those people nor do I have the desire to be. All I want is to get a discount on the things that I buy, make a little money on the side, and do it in less than 15 minutes a week. The ideas I have offered below can take as much or as little time as you feel like spending, so it's really up to you how much you want to save. I also have referral links for any of the websites mentioned below, so just send me a message if you want to sign up.

Over the years, I've tried a lot of options to see what worked. Many were too complicated or took too much time. Many just didn't offer me the options I wanted. So I've worked out something that is simple for me to do and often results in multiple ways to save or make a little money for very little effort. Below are screenshots of these sites from my own personal accounts. If you are busy then you know what it's like to come home and realize that you've run out of milk right when you need it. Shopping can be a chore so I don't like to spend too much time worrying about it, but I do want a deal. Here are my suggestions. Let me know what you think of this lens and what your tips are!

How I Stack My Coupon Savings to Maximize Earnings

The Basics

As I mentioned before, I have been working for years to find a solution that I feel is rewarding and not too difficult. Here is what I have come up with. I use what I like to call the stack method. For me this means using multiple opportunities to save on the same items. This maximizes my earnings for buying things that I already buy.

The Basics

To start, I follow the same advice you hear from any frugal shopper: don't buy anything you won't use just because you have a coupon! It's good advice for life. Instead, you can make your list based on what you would like to eat for the week or based on what is on sale according to grocery circulars. It depends on how much you like to plan and check sales.

The second step is to use a rewards credit or debit card. Only rely on a credit card if you can pay it off every month. If you are responsible, this is a great way to get rewarded for making purchases you already plan on making. If you have several (like many people), make sure to sign up for the monthly categories for shopping at specific types of retailers and take advantage of the rewards.

Use what you buy! I am very guilty of wasting things - food, cleaning supplies, pet supplies, the list goes on. Those of us who are Americans are especially guilty of this. Trying to be more mindful of how we use things is good for the wallet, the planet, and my delicate constitution! I am slowly getting better through years of consciously working on it, but I always have room for improvement. Now, I see what's in my pantry and under my sink before rushing out the door.

These three steps set the groundwork for all of my savings. I consider buying exactly what I need and getting rewards for it to be the base layer for savings. From here, I use a few more websites to quickly get the most out of my spending.

Step One: No Clip Coupons

I discovered SavingStar.com about a year ago and have never looked back! Savingstar is a really simple website that allows you to register your frequent shopper cards for your favorite stores and automatically reimburses you for buying items on their list. The coupon amount gets added to your account and you can put it in your bank account or redeem it for gift cards. I have never had a problem redeeming my cash. If you find a deal you like, all you have to do is click "I Want This" to have it automatically load to your card. You don't have to print or clip anything! Easy right?

I can use this to buy or substitute anything on my list in just a few minutes and it is next to no work. I love that I don't have to worry about more paper getting lost in my purse, folding over barcodes, or things not scanning properly. Just swipe your card at checkout and bam! Just visit savingstar.com. It's free and takes less than 10 minutes to create your full account. 

Stack Auto-Coupons with Printable Coupons

Reward Sites

Want a big tip? If you use Savingstar, most of those same deals are also offered with extra coupons if you use Swagbucks or Mypoints. Discounts tend to have a schedule and shelf life that makes it easy to stack them, so if you find a deal on Savingstar that you like there is probably another coupon you can use to save even more money. That means you get a double deal without even trying. All you need to do is search the websites to print them out.

What's even better than that? If you redeem coupons using reward sites, they will award you 10 points for every one you use. For example, if I use a $1 coupon I printed from Swagbucks, they also give you 10 cents. That is a total of $1.10 - 10 cents each time!

This is a great deal on some items. When I run out of cereal, I browse around SavingStar to see what is on sale. When I find something I like, I just click a button to load it to my card. Let's say that it's for 50 cents. Then I might go to Swagbucks to see if they have an additional coupon. Look, they do! Maybe this one is for 40 cents, so I quickly print it out. Once redeemed, they award me 10 cents. So my cereal was $1 off without even trying. Then I get rewarded for using my credit card. It doesn't get any easier than that.

Pros: Get good deals quickly.
Cons: No search feature that lets you search to stack coupons.

Find a Coupon Website

If you want to find a coupon website, throw a rock. There are a million out there. My favorite ones are those that also offer other things such as shopping discounts, paid surveys, or paid games. The two that I use are Mypoints.com and Swagbucks. They both have lots of ways to earn and save money. Not to your taste, simply pull up a search engine a do a search for coupon websites. You should be able to find one you like within minutes.

Use Reward Shopping Links

Shop Through the Right Links for More Savings

Want to use another level to stack your savings? Use reward shopping links. There are several ways to do this, but it works best when shopping for retail goods.

Shopping Sites

These websites reward you with points for shopping through the links on their shopping pages. Again, Mypoints and Swagbucks are my go to for this, but another great site it Ebates.com. When I'm prepared to buy something online, I just quickly glance through these sites to see who has a savings link or who offers the most.

Credit Card Rewards Center

Make sure you use a rewards credit card for a start. Also make sure you sign up for the monthly specials attached to that card. Now, for bonus points, see what discounts your credit card company is willing to offer. This is great if you don't feel safe using a shopping site or would like to cash out a rewards bonus for a particular card. Most card companies have a center once you sign in online that shows you what stores they offer the discounts through, so always make sure to check before you check out!

Last Check!

One last thing! Always search online before you buy. There a many websites that only deal with online codes for shopping. Make sure you're not missing a free shipping, BOGO, or free item with purchase offer by checking these sites. Many of them also offer discounts for first time customers so it pays to shop around.

Go All The Way!

Use Your Manufacturer Coupons and Frequent Buyer Cards

If you are a creature of habit, you probably buy the same things week after week. I try to take advantage of this. Businesses are always looking after their bottom line too, and the best way for them to do that is to keep customers happy and recruit more of them. Since everyone is online now, simply go to the manufacturers website and sign up for the newsletters. They often send coupons and alerts right to your inbox. Also, carefully check packaging when you buy these products to make sure you're not throwing anything important away.

Now, if you are like me and tend to rush out the door to get things done then you know it's hard to remember where you put those things! Since I'm known to hurry and can never remember where I've put my own head, I made a specific spot for coupons, reminders, and everything else. I print them out or clip them immediately and then stash them in a dedicated folder in my car. I keep it in my center console so it's out of the way, but always next to me when I'm about to dash into a store. I try to remember to check it one last time before I go and am almost always glad I did.

In the same vein, I also keep all my rewards and frequent shopper cards next to that same folder. I hate when I get into my favorite coffee or sandwich shop where you have to buy 50 to get one free, only to remember that my last 49 punches are on a card hidden behind my desk! As you can see, I have quite a few. And if we're being honest, I have a lot more than the picture shows. Having them with me when I go out has saved me a lot of regret and frustration.

Frugal Finds

Here is a collection of websites that focus on the art of being frugal.

The Dollar Stretcher

The Dollar Stretcher is a site that I have been getting emails from for years. The website is full of reader supplemented tips on easy ways to live more frugally.

Frugal Living @ About.com

Another great reference site for frugal living and how to find great deals.

Fabulously Frugal

Saving money can seem hard since it takes quite a bit of the glamour out of life. This site is great for adding in a little shine by helping you focus on your goals without giving up everything.

Broke Grad Student

While no longer a grad student, this blog offers great stories about the journey to pay off grad school debt and enter the "real world" in all it's costliness.

Man Vs Debt

This is a no-nonsense blog from a straightforward guy who is all about simplifying his life to do what he loves and shedding the financial baggage along the way.

The One Week Budget: Learn to Create Your Money Management System in 7 Days or Less!

by Tiffany The Budgetnista Aliche

Learn to save in a hurry!

Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey: Learn Coupon Strategies to Save $1000s at the Grocery Store

by Joanie Demer, Heather Wheeler

Want to start scratching more than the surface? Start here and get lots of tips in one place.

Deal Alert: 100 GB of Onedrive (Skydrive) for $1

If you have joined the Skydrive/Onedrive crowd, you know how useful having your documents, songs, and pictures synced to multiple devices can be. You receive 7 GB upon registration and that has worked well for me when it comes to my school folder. However, I don't have enough space for much else. Enter Bing.

I've been using the Bing Rewards program for several months now. I set my goal for the $5 Swagbucks reward and it takes 475 points for me to redeem it as a Gold Member. This effectively makes less than 100 points on Bing = $1. It's a great deal for anyone who searches a lot, which I do for school and general curiosity.

Now Bing is working with the new Onedrive to offer a rewards opportunity that probably won't last long. Right now, you can redeem 100 points for 100 GB of Onedrive space for an entire year. That same subscription costs $50 a year on the Onedrive website. That's a huge savings on money you earn just for searching! I just snapped up my reward and have been able to load my entire photo album, the rest of my documents, and some music to my Onedrive account.

Sign up for your free Bing Rewards account now to start earning on your web searches and take advantage of this huge deal on Onedrive. 

Amazon Prime Costs Going Up

As many of you may now be aware, the cost of Amazon Prime Membership has increased from $79 to $99 per year. Over the last nine years, Amazon has kept the price steady despite rising costs for their massive shipping operations. For anyone not aware, the Amazon Prime program is a yearly subscription to the worldwide company Amazon.com. It allows free 2 day shipping on all Amazon distributed products, one free ebook per month, thousands of free streaming TV shows and movies, as well as a few other perks.

Amazon's business structure was initially deemed not worthy of investment as it expected it to take four to five years to turn a profit, which it finally did in 2001. Since then, it's insisted on cutting prices as far as possible and amassing a huge audience mostly due to reputation. For a company that is known for throwing in more perks than they can afford to gain loyal customers, there is talk that the price increase for the Prime program will include more perks in the future such as streaming music. I would not be surprised if that were the case.

I'm not sure if there has ever been evidence that the Prime memberships have made or lost money for them since we're not sure of how many people are using the program enough to cover its cost. However, since reputation is more important in the online world than for a brick and mortar business, I doubt that Amazon would do anything to risk its reputation on the increase if it was not necessary. Therefore more perks are very likely. Also, it's been speculated that the increase could actually increase since people may increase the number of orders through Amazon to justify their membership cost for shipping. However, whether this will cover the cost for Amazon is another matter. It will be interesting to see how these changes will pan out in the near future. 

Best Budget Calculators on the Web

Life is full of unanswered questions. Luckily, none of these financial worries should ever be a question again.

Check out the budget calculator round-up on The No-Pants CEO.

How to Make an Extra $240 a Year with Swagbucks Accelerator

Swagbucks Accelerator

Swagbucks has a new feature for its users called Accelerator. This program has two levels and allows active Swagbucks user to earn a matching dollar amount for up to every point they earn, up to $30 every month! Okay, I admit that I was a skeptic. Paying money to make money is generally against my religion when it comes to online sites, but I really sat down to think about this one. I rarely make less than $10 a month with swagbucks so the idea of matching at least 700 swagbucks a month gave me pause. 

This is my personal account. As of this picture, I've been an Accelerator member for two days. 

Do the Math

For the Accelerator, if you pay $4.99 a month, they will match up to 700 points per month. Each point is one cent so really this means that if you pay $5, they will match up to $7. Break that down further: You earn 700 swagbucks ($7) + they match 700 SB = 1400 SB ($14). After the fee, you've made an additional $9 a month - $108 a year. If you use Accelerator Plus, you can earn up to $20 a month or $240 a year.

Is This a Good Deal?

Are you a Swagbucks member? Okay, now do you actually make at least $7 a month. This is a very easy goal to meet, but if you don't make at least the fee amount, you will lose money. If you are active like I am, then it's easy money. I decided to start off with Accelerator at the $4.99 level and have already made back my investment. The picture above is what the Accelerator tab looks like so you can track what you've earned and figure out how much more you need to get your investment back.

Why Swagbucks?

Swagbucks is quickly becoming my go to site to earn extra play money. Between surveys, coupons, games, searches, and shopping - there are lots of ways to earn for things I'm already doing. I make pretty decent pocket change and have gotten a lot of free products or been paid to try new ones. Not bad for something I do in my spare time. The picture above is from my personal account to show what the Accelerator tab looks like once you become a member. It makes it easy to track. If you're interested, you can sign up for free by clicking here. Check it out and see if Accelerator is right for you. Already using it? Let me know in the comments!

The Extra Ordinary Give - Maximizing a Communal Giving Day for Your Nonprofit

My nonprofit just participated in The Extra Ordinary Give - a full 24 hour giving marathon that represented 260 nonprofits, schools, and community benefit organizations in the Lancaster County. This year was a hit, raising more than $3.2 million dollars. There are many days of giving around the world and here is are 4 ideas on how to maximize them for your organization.

Lancaster County Community Foundation About Page

Craft Your Ask

Prepare a marketing piece that includes the event, all the particular, and your organizations specific link if provided. Make sure you can print it, post it, email it, and get it where it needs to go. Send it more than once. Create a reminder piece based on the first ask. People are busy and they won't remember your date no matter how much you want them to, so tell them to mark their calendars, remind them, and ask them to share it with friends.

Shout it from the Rooftops

Once you've got an email, give it to everyone you know. Send it to your mailing list of course. But never forget to get your supporters behind you. Tell your staff, board of directors, volunteers, and monthly givers to spread the word to everyone they know. Post it on your social media pages. Put it in your email signature and mention it while you're on the phone with clients and vendors.

Show and Tell

For yearly giving or annual events, it may be enough to just ask. However, days of giving sometimes have extra perks.The Extra Ordinary Give had a $25 minimum gift. That is an easy target to hit, but don't forget to show people what they get for that. Does $25 pay for meals, vaccinations, or hospital stays? Say so! Does each $1 invested in your organization leverage $5 in the community? Say so! And if there is a match being awarded as part of the giving day, you better tell them that too. Knowing that the money you donate could be matched is a great incentive to pull together communities.

Say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

Lancaster County Community Foundation Thank You Page

Don't forget to follow up. This is a donation like any other and it requires letting people know that you have received the money and love them for it. It's also the time to give them receipts for their taxes and ask them to join your mailing list. Let them know if you have social media accounts to like and if you have any upcoming events you would love to tell them about.

Bonus: Live Blog The Day

Got the staff or volunteers? Get them to live blogging. Spend some time building up the day the week or two before the event and let everyone know that you will be "live" during the event. Start early and get people pumped. Let them know your progress and how many more donations you need to meet your goal. Thank people for donating and ask them to take one more step and tell a friend. Remember those show and tells you crafted before? Let them know that you've raised half the money for a children's program or you are 80% of your goal to increase safety in the neighborhood. Seeing your progress makes people feel involved and it is more likely that they will give an extra gift to get you there.

Branding Vs Sales: Online Marketplace Issues

Okay, long story short, I'm helping to build out an online marketplace. I've been reading the reviews of online sellers when they compare online platforms and one of the big issues that comes up is the lack of branding opportunities offered by the larger sites. Now, I think this is a very valid complaint, however I also believe that a business will probably miss out on a lot of sales through going it alone. Small businesses, for example, generally don't have the time, money, or know-how to brand effectively and this pulls those resources away from actually making money using the draw of a larger host site. So let's present the argument, shall we?

The ultimate showdown. Seriously, don't question my themes
too much here. Click picture for source.

Branding or Sales? 

For any small business owner or marketing guru, you will know the power of branding. Getting your name out there and connecting your message to your name in people's mind is money in the bank. Managing that brand can also be a beast. Since your brand is your image, anyone posting inappropriate messages on social media, using the wrong logo, or using your name can be detrimental to your reputation. But what is the priority of branding compared to your sales? That will depend on your focus and what you hope to accomplish. In the world of online marketplaces, which you choose will depend largely on what your product is. Especially for small businesses this can be a fine line to walk.

On one hand, cash is king and driving those sales in a marketplace geared towards sales using the power of the host site can help do that. However, once you get that sale you're next goal is getting a second sale, then a third from the same dedicated client. Chances are you were found randomly out of the sea of competitors. This is both good and bad for you. You were the best of the best for that purchase. Problem is unless you really drive home not only the value of your product but the value of your company, you may not be the best for their next purchase.

Now on the other hand, having the control to shape the user experience can be powerful. If you attract them to a handsome shop that is easy to navigate and allow them the opportunity to view the value of your brand everywhere then you might not only get them hooked but start to build the seed of brand recognition in their minds. The problem is getting them there in the first place. The marketplace - online and in person - is awash with a sea of similar companies all vying for their attention. So you may create a repeat customer but that's assuming you can snatch them in the first place.

This doesn't have to be an either/or scenario. You can quite easily take advantage of both approaches to take advantage of the benefits. But you're a small business right? Do you have the time? Especially if this is your side gig, you might want to seriously think about which approach might get you the best bang for your time and money so you can focus more.

Build Your Brand

If your product is something that is highly unique to you or your process, then going it alone might be a viable option. If what you do is truly irreplaceable or there are few competitors - think high end art, jewelry, fashion... yachts - then you can focus on drawing attention from marketing efforts in ads and publicity. It is much easier to build a fanbase for a highly sought after product or something that is not as easily found. Then you can vogue for all your worth and build a customer experience that's valuable or just build up your own name. It's easier to point people towards your own art showing than your storefront banner in the middle of the gigantic interwebs free-for-all.

Focus on Sales

Now if you're in retail, let's be real here: you are probably not unique. Not really. Yours might be the only product of its exact kind, but there are lots of nearly similar items that can be substituted. Some people don't like to hear this, but recognizing this fact will get you a lot farther a lot faster. I say throw yourself in the mix right away. Are there replacements? Yes, but find your advantage and work the shit out of it. If you make a mean Christmas stocking, then that free gift wrapping and holiday delivery option is going to hook someone. Once you get them, stand out by doing what you do well and asking them to come again.

The other consideration is capacity. Marketing is key for driving sales in the first place, but the size of your operation will dictate how much time you can spend on that. Be realistic about this guys; it takes more time than you think. Letting someone else draw people in for you saves yourself a lot of work, not to mention the money you might throw into other advertising efforts.

Tips for Working a Hybrid

Okay, yeah it's a liger. What hybrid were
you thinking? Click picture for source.

Offer them something they can't find by staying on the host site. More than likely, that's where they will find you and make their first few purchases. However, you can control your brand and make a higher margin selling on your own without the fees associated with most sites. The bottom line is that they won't see value in your own site if it's the same thing. So offer your most special pieces on your own. Make it easier for them to place custom orders or buy in bulk. Offer gift-wrapping options or the ability to create baskets of related items as presents. Offer free gifts, discounts, or frequent buyer programs. If you make it a special experience with value that speaks to them, then you can draw them in and still make sales from everyone else that you can't make a repeat customer. Just make sure you have the time to spare to do it right that won't detract from your quality of product or customer service.

Wednesday Links 7-24-13

It's been a while, huh? I have been doing quite a bit of good reading here lately, but much of it is textbook-related which is a little harder to share. However, I'm ready to come back to Wednesday Links! This week is all about tips for getting your business up and running on the net and how to take it global!

Actually, I had to watch this video below for a class. Granted, it's a bit dry, but I didn't know the U.S. Commercial Service even existed, let alone what they did. I thought this was some great information to pass on if you are thinking of going global because this is a great resource. Make sure to check it out and let me know what you thought!

• What is the U.S. Commercial Service and how can they help you go international? (video above)
• Dropshipping: The Easiest Way to Sell Online and some tips to get you started
• 42 Timeless Ideas for Attracting More Visitors to Your Website - Think Traffic consistently gives great advice that you can act on today
• 3 Steps to Getting Started With Social Media - The Social Media Examiner is a go to blog for marketing professionals and you can learn a lot just by surfing around for a few minutes, so here's something to get you started. 

Data Tracking Programs: A Comparative View

I've recently started an internship for an online company interested in launching an ecommerce section to their site. I love getting a chance to geek out over their ideas and delve into areas that I find so interesting. For as long as I've been blogging, there are gaps in my knowledge of programs that I'm starting to fill in. Data mining programs is one of them. 

Google Analytics has been my go-to, but there are large areas of data that I feel it cannot adequately flesh out. As I was searching for other useful tools, I took the chance to review several of the programs suggested and felt that other people might benefit from the review. If you have any experience with these programs or know of others, please comment below to let me know! Or if you know other tech-savvy people, please share this post with them and see what they have to say.

Source

Terms and Ideas

One of the new terms I learned is "K-factor". I had no idea what this meant and had to look it up. Generally speaking, it's the measurement of how your ideas go viral with social media, tracking how far and fast it spreads. It's a very useful measurement to keep in mind. I would posit though that you may not need to rely on one of the above programs to track your k-factor. A combination of programs might do the trick. Conversely, if you do not have a presence on social media than it may not be a factor at all.

The idea of data mining is something I think has not gotten quite as much attention as it should. I previously worked with a company that was obsessed with updating their website regardless of the fact that it was unattractive, hard to navigate, and no one knew where there traffic came from, how they used the site, or how to get them more engaged. Their social media followed the same path of logic. It's hard to answer questions about who your audience actually is and make plans to further engage them when you're not mining your own data. You can do this many ways including tracking how they use your site (events, triggers, funnels), studying the demographics, and finding your referral and action correlations.

There are plenty of tools out there, both free and paid, that will get you where you need to go. You can start slow and go as deep or as shallow as you like. Just start somewhere. However, this is one area where if you want the full impact of opportunity you have to dig in. It is not enough to know; you must understand. That is the true core of this "big data" craze.

Programs

Below is a quick review of some of the larger available programs for data mining and analytics. Granted, every company is different and has its own short list of what they would like to see and accomplish so keep that in mind as I have reviewed the systems to our own end.

I have bulleted some notable points and written a usability summary below with suggestions for use.

As a general rule and drawing from past experience with implementing other systems, I always like the idea of using something “ready-made” before attempting to build an individual system. It allows you to try out features you might not have implemented yourself and gain some knowledge of how similar systems work, what stat you like, and how the pieces fit together before taking on the task and cost of creating from scratch.

Kissmetrics

•  Unlimited (multi-step) funnels that would allow for very good tracking once tests are set up
•  Cohort reports available
• Customer profiles available, to track individuals
•  Ruby compatible
• Funnel focused
•  More expensive, but scaled to volume

Kissmetrics looks like a good tool for very precious detailing of where customers drop-off or initiate actions. Makes it easier to track, optimize site, tweak conversion process, and estimate what might attract a buyer back to make repeat purchases. Also helps with tracking efficacy of out of site campaigns and various other modules. However, this is one of the most expensive options and some reviews have mentioned that it has what I like to call "funnel-vision" wherein it operates beautifully for tracking funnel operations at the expense of the other modules.

Flurry

• Free
• Able to use funnels for events
• Focuses on aggregate numbers and not individuals
•  No K-factor or ability to see virality

Flurry is a mobile-based tracking program similar to Google Analytics though provides much more information for apps. This may be something to use in tandem with Analytics to focus on that section of advertising and activity, but does not look like it can offer the level of detail required to really target customers, especially on an individual basis, necessary for ecommerce. 

Mixpanel

• Able to use funnels (though seems to be harder than Kissmetrics and you have to pre-set them)
•  Individual and group models to analyze data in aggregate or individual basis
• Allows you to send e-mail notifications based on data
• The individual v. aggregate plans are separate monthly charges based on volume
• Some people suggest it’s harder to set up
• No k-factor or virality

Mixpanel seems to be able to dig deep into data to answer more complex questions. It is not expensive, but some reviews suggest that the ability to dig into date is tempered by some difficulty in setting up the account. For example, it seems your funnels must be pre-set as you either can't edit them later or can't add new ones. That seems like such a large hurdle that it seems like it must be in the works on getting fixed. It does not seem as user-friendly up front and would require tweaking and testing for anyone responsible implementing or using the program. However, this seems to be the most capable of using data to improve ad campaigns, customer experience, and influence buying behavior.

Sumall

• Aggregate of all social media plus analytics to see overall impact
• Pricing seems to be a “conversation” after a free trial

Sumall seems to be an interesting addition to other programs instead of something to replace them with, unless you wanted to replace Google Analytics. Does not appear to use funnels to collect data that would allow for conversion information. Upon signing into their interface, I couldn't make heads or tails of their graphs. It just seemed to be a big mess of lines and it was not intuitive enough to really figure out how to set our accounts in a way that would show us useful information. 

Foxmetrics

• Adds typical Analytics, but adds extra information for blogs
•  Integrates with existing CRM and email marketing services
• Ability to see application separately (blog, e-commerce, website, ect)
• Metrics at product and category level for e-commerce
• Tracks contents and conversions of shopping carts
• Triggered actions for e-commerce (abandoned cart of 5/15, send e-mail 6/15, ect)
• Analyze subscriber services and campaign tracking and seo keyword conversion
• Customer acquisition, conversion, and retention help
• Monthly pricing by volume/services offered

I admit that I got sucked in by this one and spent quite a bit of time there. The integration services and multi-faceted approach to e-commerce, data tracking, conversion, and marketing sounds like they really thought this through. I found this to be the most comprehensive and seemed that it could be used on its own as opposed to combining several options. However, it was hard to find many reviews to see what kind of obstacles other people have found and it appears that to receive full functionality that one must purchase the full suite.

Keen IO

• Can track analytics as well as cohort analysis, funnels, and segmentation
• Pricing based on volume and starts free
• They can help you set up and get started
• If you want to track something, you must insert code – cannot auto track anything to start
• Stats you want to track must be done individually across each device or platform

There isn’t as much information or reviews about Keen IO. Since there is a lot of “from scratch” work to track the data, you can customize it to fit your needs. However, that may require quite a bit of up-front work before you know whether you’ve tracked the right stats. It may be something that you move to after trying out another service or to replace it. It would also require a more in-depth conversation to see if it would be a true fit.

Kontagent

• Allows you to see the information relevant to your position within a company and industry
• Has an application specifically for tracking social media and gathering data
•  Funnels for mobile and social
• Access to user-level data with no data cap (meaning no sampling)

Interesting ability to quickly see which campaigns or product lines you are running and show both a cost and revenue per download/sale/click that leads to profits – on the same page. Pricing is a mystery and there are no reviews to speak of online, though it sounds like it might be a very flexible platform. Three separate applications provide 3 different services and probably price-points as well.

Source

Summary

Overall, we decided to start playing with Foxmetrics and signed up for the trial version. I had several questions related to usability and they answered all my questions thoroughly and in a timely manner. My contact, Ryndal, was really nice and explained things in a way that I could understand since I told him that the tech details were beyond me. I had a problem getting anyone on their live chat, but I'm not sure if that was because I was on the site too late at night.

The other downside is that the ecommerce tracking only starts on their large subscription. It's $120/month which is not the highest but it is still not standard on the smaller packages. I'll report back on what we end up purchasing and what we think.

If you have any experience using data tracking programs, please leave me a comment below and tell me how it went! Or find me on Google+ and let me know there.

Making Money Online: Mypoints

I've taken the last week to kick back and relax. I haven't had a vacation in since the summer breaks where I didn't work in college. That was years ago, so it's been nice to take it easy. It's also been nice to get $50 in free gas by redeeming my points for a gas card from MyPoints so I can take a little road R&R. I've been looking at my reward programs recently and decided to start a series reviewing some of them for those of you who are not already getting rewarded for your everyday activities.

As you can see, that's actually my account. I've got $10 left after redeeming a $50 gas card. Not bad!

MyPoints.com Overview

MyPoints is an online program that allows you to redeem your points for merchandise, gift cards, paypal cash, and charity donations. You accumulate points by doing online shopping, receiving e-mails, doing surveys, and completing special offers. I originally signed up to get even more benefit out of online shopping and have used it primarily for that reason since. I generally click through the e-mails, but have found some great unexpected deals there too. For example, I always file my taxes online. This year, I used a click through for my tax prep and earned 1,000 points for something I was going to do anyways. They also have a new store where you can buy gift cards for yourself or as gifts and earn points. Most programs won't allow you to earn points by buying gift cards, so this is a huge bonus and really sets it apart.

I've been a members since May of 2006, so I can report with some authority on the program. My favorite way to redeem points is for gas cards, but I have occasionally redeemed them for shopping at other retailers. Since I became a member, I have never had a problem receiving my points or gift cards. They are always delivered on time and customer service is friendly and prompt.

Earn Bonus Points

If you are interested in signing up, go to mypoints.com. Or if you'd like to earn bonus points, contact me through social media or leave a comment and I will send you an invite. By clicking through the invite, you earn 750 bonus points simply for making a $20 purchase which is roughly a $5 reward. Easy peasy and you're on your way to getting more bang for your buck.

Winks: Wednesday Links to help you grow - 5-15-13

I've been tearing through the True Facts videos on ZeFrank1's Youtube page recently. They are hilarious, but I reached the end and wanted more. So I dug around his videos and found this gem. I really wasn't expecting good advice, but hell, I've gotten good advice in weirder places before. I'm also a fan of good advice + humor from people who don't take themselves too seriously. So watch the video already. Also, here's some good reading for later.

• 12 Types of Blog Posts You Need to Stop Writing
• Jerry Seinfeld's Productivity Secret
• Just Who Uses Social Media? A Demographic Breakdown
• 5 Cool Content Curation Tools for Social Marketers or anyone online really

And while we're on the subject of social media, how do you use Twitter? I post articles that I find interesting every day and I've found many of those articles following other Twitter users. How do you use it and do you have anyone you recommend following? Let me know in the comments. 

Using Eventbrite for Professional Development

Sometimes it's the light bulb moments that make you think you're a rock-star that really just let you know how dumb you normally are. We get so stuck in our routines that it's hard to see past the self-imposed rules we've created around a ritual. Especially for those tools you use at work, it's easy to see why many people can't translate that into using them at home for themselves.

Take Eventbrite. This is an online tool that almost any event planner has used at one time or another. Once you create an account, you are just a couple steps away from planning the arrangement, selecting the number of tickets, and tracking sign-ups all in the same space. Plus, if your event is free, then so is the service. It's a great way to streamline your process.

I'm so used to being on the back end and arranging events that I couldn't see the focus of why this was a good tool. The way many people use it is this: once your event is planned, e-mail this link to your database and use that as your event hub central. Do you know what Eventbrite thinks it's selling point is? "If it's happening out there you'll find it here. Browse 1000s of events. Or create your own events and sell tickets right here." Yep. First and foremost, it is a tool to find cultural and professional activities wherever you go.

Instead of immediately logging in to create an event, all I had to do was spend 5 seconds on the front page and read the tagline. "Hey, self! Let's browse my area!" I found library events, books signings, networking events, women's groups, and training courses - more than I would have imagined - all in my area. All of them had instructions on who was allowed to sign up, if the event was free, addresses, and contact information if you needed to ask further questions. Not sure if you can join in? Just ask.

For all the times I have looked for trainings in my area, I never thought to go to the most obvious place. Funny thing is, neither did anyone else I asked. Sometimes you just have to open your eyes in a new light. What else have you been using that can benefit you if you use it in a different way?