iOffer.com Reports Growing Revenue and Traffic in January

Here's the latest press release from iOffer:

Successful Start to 2009 Brings Higher Expectations and Goals

San Francisco, CA -- The 2008 holiday season is over and 2009 is carrying higher goals for iOffer.com. December 2008 left the alternative online marketplace web site wanting more with record numbers across the line. Despite the continuing effects of the declining economy and the need for consumers to save money, January statistics in terms of traffic and revenue have fulfilled and surpassed all expectations for iOffer.

Key Metrics January 2008 vs. 2009
- Dollar Sales: $3.8 million vs. $8.5 million (124% growth)
- Unit Sales: 67,000 vs. 242,000 (261% growth)
- Traffic: 2.4 million visits vs. 5.8 million visits (142% growth)
- Page Views: 25 million vs. 65 million (160% growth)
- New Member Registration: 35,000 vs. 93,000 (166% growth)

New members and item listings are pouring in every day. Total transactions and dollar sales are increasing steadily. January set the tone of a successful year for iOffer, as more improvements are planned to enhance the overall buying and selling experience of its members.

About iOffer, Inc.

iOffer, Inc. is recognized as a leading alternative online marketplace worldwide. Since 2001, iOffer has been changing the way online transactions are conducted, providing a safe and friendly community for its members to buy, sell, and trade through open negotiations. iOffer believes that active communication and interactions are keys to the success and enjoyment of their members. For more information, please visit www.ioffer.com.

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Selling on iOffer Part 6: Promote Your Store

Did you upload your items to Google Base yet? That should be the very first step you take after listing your items.

Then it's time to promote your iOffer store. Start off with these iOffer promotional tools:

Store Widget and Profile Banner

A widget is sort of a custom advertising box for your store. It's very easy to set up, and you can post it all over the web (blogs, profiles, emails, web sites, etc.). Just post it and you're set; you don't need anything else. Profile banners work the same way, so start posting!

iOffer Community Clubs and Events

One of the better ways to expand your online presence is to interact with people. Join some iOffer clubs and participate in the discussions to get your name out there. Attend the live events to make friends. Your items will be automatically featured in events.

These tools should be a good start to your self-promotion. Remember, the more work you put into it, the better results you'll get in driving in more traffic to your store.

Selling on iOffer Part 5: Google Base

Once you have listed a few, or a bunch, of items, it's time to let the rest of the world know that you're selling on iOffer. That's where Google Base comes in.

What is Google Base?

Google Base is a free Google service that helps you publish virtually any kind of information -- be it your latest riveting screenplay or a listing for your slightly dented 1989 Honda Accord -- on Google Base or other Google properties.

Your item will fall into one of several categories based on its content. This category determines which Google property will display your item. For example, your screenplay and robot schematics may appear on Google Base, and your humble Honda may appear on Google Product Search.

According to many experienced iOffer members, sellers must do some self-promotion. If you don't do anything, Google Base is the single, one thing that you MUST do. This little feature will get you the traffic you need to your store.

So once you have items ready, use this iOffer Tutorial to upload your items to Google Base.

Also, members of the Seller Central club will kindly help you through the entire process.

I will talk about other promotional tools that you can and should use to advertise your new iOffer store.

eBay Alternatives: iOffer Reports Sales Are Up

Here's an article from AuctionBytes:

iOffer.com reported record dollar sales, units sold, new items listed, and new memberships over the past six weeks from November 1, 2008 to December 15, 2008. The "trading community" marketplace encourages negotiation between buyers and sellers and reported key metrics for the holiday shopping season (November 1 to December 15). Data from 2007 is listed first, followed by the same period in 2008.

• Dollar Sales: $5.5 million vs. $15.1 million (175% growth)
• Unit Sales: 121,323 vs. 275,813 (127% growth)
• New Item Listings: 470,846 vs. 1,213,476 (158% growth)
• Traffic: 3 million visits vs. 9 million visits (198% growth)
• Page Views: 31 million vs. 80 million (158% growth)
• New Member Registration: 44,192 vs. 126,175 (186% growth)

Source: iOffer.com

Congratulations, iOffer!