Blog Team members, and OLA sellers contemplating joining the Team, should all take a moment to read this post:
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/06/28/perseverance-will-save-your-blog/
It is a guest post, (Robby G is a blogger from ShiteILike.com and explains the benefits of pushing your blog through good and through bad.), and is featured by one of my favorite bloggers, Darren Rowse. (ProBlogger)
The sentence I found of most importance, during this month of recruiting new members, is this:
Perseverance gives your blog backlinks, it gives your blog a higher rating on search engines, and it gives people time to learn more about you and spread your blog’s name through word of mouth.
This is exactly what we're trying to do, along with advertising our site, OnlineAuction.com, and our many varied products! Wouldn't you like to persevere with us? 
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Persevere with blogging!
How to use SEARCH at OnlineAuction.com
Did you know that there are numerous ways to find the great bargains available at OnlineAuction.com? From Antiques to Video Games, and from Verified Sellers to Founding Members, if you know how to search correctly, that can't live without item is easy to locate. Let's take a peek at the various options... I'll bet there is one you haven't used before!
The Search Bar on the OLA Home Page:
- Enter your search criteria and search ALL CATEGORIES.
This is the broadest search, and will give you results that match any and all of the word(s) you designate. - You may also set this search bar to show results in a specific category, by using the drop-down menu to change the words ALL CATEGORIES to your category of choice.
Advanced Search offers you the opportunity to set parameters. You may enter as much information as you like, and the more specific your request, the more specific the results will be. They are useful to search other people's auctions, as well as your own! Here is a brief synopsis of what they search fields will accomplish for you:
- The Search Phrase is where you place the words describing any specific item you are searching for.
- If you know the auction number, enter it into the Auction # field for a fast way to get directly to the listing.
- The Categories field allows you to choose a single category to search.
- The TYPE field gives you the option to view only certain types of listings, (Classic, Fixed Price, Dutch, Absolute or Sealed).
- The SORT option is a drop-down menu which will display the results according to the method you choose. Try them all!
Price Lowest First / Price Highest First is a great tool for researching the prices of your competitors, or to see if an item you are interested in is in a reasonable price range as compared to other sellers.
Bids Lowest First / Bids Highest First is especially useful if you are researching a product that has multiple listings and you'd like to see the amount(s) of bids that have been placed.
Ending First / Ending Last is one I use quite often. When featuring an item in the chat forum, under Interesting Auctions of the Week, I usually choose the ENDING LAST sort option, so that I can quickly pick an item which has plenty of time left for maximum viewing on the thread!
Title Descending / Title Ascending will alphabetize the listings for you.
Auction ID Descending / Auction ID Ascending is a great way to check your own listings! Use the Descending tool to sort auctions from newest to oldest, and the Ascending tool to sort from oldest to newest. - On a budget? You may also set a price range, and peruse only those listings which fall within your boundaries.
Advanced Search also allows you to search by seller and by bidder.
MEMBER SEARCH:- Do you know the name of the member and wish to see what they have for sale? In addition to using the Advanced Search link, you can click on Member Search and enter their user-name. This will bring you to their Feedback Record, where you can click on View All Member's Auctions, (if they are a seller), or Ask A Question, which will initiate an omail to the member.
SOME EXTRA TIPS:
- Another way to get to see a certain member's listings is to click on their name, either in the chat forum or on any OLA page. This will also bring you to the member's Feedback Record.
- When accessing someone's listings through their Feedback Record, you will be taken to an OLA Search Page, which will highlight all of that member's active listings. You can sort through their products by using the grey Search These Results box that is located on the right of your screen. The functions work similarly to the Advanced Search options.
- Verified Sellers do not have a store. You may recognize that a seller is a Verified Seller by looking for a key icon located next to their name. The easiest way to search products that a Verified Seller offers is to use the grey Search These Results box detailed above.
- Founding Members have a store. You may recognize that a seller is a Founding Member by looking for a set of gold wings located next to their name. The easiest way to search products that a Founding Member offers is to access their store directly. Do this one of two ways:
1.) Enter the url into your browser's address bar. It will read the same for each seller, changing only the name at the end. See below! (The green text will be changed to feature your intended seller.)
http://www.onlineauction.com/store/fleapirates
2.) Click to enter any one of the auction listings in the OLA search results. You will find a store link under the Details, Shipping and Payment box at the top right, (look for a house icon). You will also see the words See all My Auctions at My OLA House at the bottom of the listing. Click either of these links and go right to their storefront! Categories are located on the left of the store.
NOTE: If any seller has not yet organized their store categories, please contact me for assistance! You can also contact either Rowen or Renee at OLA by omail or by calling 800-900-2828.
Cleaning House at OnlineAuction.com!
,
I've been checking out all the great bargains at OnlineAuction.com!
There's a nice variety of used and new products, in every price range, and offered from some of the friendliest and most knowledgeable sellers online.
While the majority of OLA members are located across the entire breadth of the USA, I've recently noticed that more international folks are joining the ranks. That is wonderful... welcome! I am experienced in both buying and selling internationally, and would encourage every member to learn more about reaping the benefits of international trade. A good place to start is the USPS, where you will find a wealth of topics detailing shipping instructions, requirements and restrictions to each and every country.
Did you listen to OLA-Radio last week? OnlineAuction.com owner Chris Fain was the guest speaker! He spoke at length about his vision for building the #1 online marketplace, the successes we've already enjoyed and the continual improvement plans that he has set for the future. Although he did not expound in great detail on some of the upcoming surprises that members can expect, he did mention an advertising campaign and other enhancements that are in the works to benefit all members. You can hear the archived OLA-Radio program by clicking here.
Since we are growing, isn't this a good time to ensure that you are up-to-date on all the features at OnlineAuction.com? It is time to put our best face forward! By effectively using the tools that are available to you, from both the OLA staff and other OLA members, you may increase the efficiency of your own business operation and leave a positive impression upon people who are visiting the site for the first time.
Let's face reality... if a new buyer visits you, and can't find what they are looking for in your store, (or your individual listings), they are less likely to come back. If you don't have good photographs, they will look for someone who does. And if you don't list your shipping charges, they might not take the time to write you and ask.
Here is a list of HELP topics that you can find in the OLA Chat Forum:
- Setting up your OLA Store, by Renee, OLA Support
- Setting up your House Categories, by StubsInc, OLA member
- Using Auctiva, by Dragonmum2 & Aesthetics48, OLA members
- Shipping Calculator and Services, by Renee, OLA Support
- Resizing Your Pictures, by Ragmop, OLA Support
- Picture Tutorial for Chat Set-up, by Aesthetics48, OLA member
- HTML Help, a collaboration between OLA Staff and members
- Seaching OnlineAuction.com, by Fleapirates, OLA member
I am on a kick about category organization right now. Yes, it is a chore, especially when you are adding new items and selling existing ones. Remember this... who wants to sort through a bunch of category selections and receive numerous No Auctions Found results? Not me! I try to re-set my category list at least once a week, to minimize the chance of seeing that notice in my store.
Anyone who needs help or tips on this task may contact me! It is not difficult, once you have walked through the steps a time or two. You may also contact either Renee or Rowen in OLA Support, by calling the toll-free phone number, 800-900-2828.
Let's all work together to create a welcoming site for new buyers and sellers, one that is easy to navigate, fun to shop, and encourages repeat business!Thanks for reading! Be sure to stop by Fleapirates Plunder the next time you are browsing OLA!
Monkey Stand Salt and Pepper Set - Arthur Court
Arthur Court
Monkey Stand Salt and Pepper Set
This stunning collectible comes in the original box.
The base is hand-polished aluminum.
The shakers feature a swirled clear glass pattern.
Measures 4 inches wide,
2 3/4 inches deep, & 3 1/4 inches tall.
An elegant addition to your table! Click HERE for full details!
Click my banner to browse other treasures in my store.
Heather Goldminc DOVE CANDLE HOUSE Blue Sky Clayworks
This lovely candle house was
retired December 31, 2002.
The Dove Candle House measures
8 inches tall x 4 1/2 inches square.
It rests upon a green ceramic base,
which is 4 1/4 inches square,
and 1/4 inch thick.
Both pieces are in excellent pre-owned condition,
with no chips, cracks, breaks, or repairs.
Please click HERE to see more info and photos,
and read how to bring this charming
collectible into your home!
And by clicking my banner below, you can browse
other treasures in my OLA Store!
OLA WHS Sale Vintage Hummel Wooden Music Box
)with draw string music control.
Plays Edelweiss.
I found this neat treasure at an antique shop!
I do not know age or history.
It is available for purchase at the
OLA Welcome Home Sale!
Classic auction listing,
with opening bid of just $9.99.
Click Hummel Wooden Music Box
for all the details of this auction!
Click Welcome Home Sale to view
the 5000+ items in the Sale!
And don't forget to click
Fleapirates Plunder
to browse my store!
1871 1st Ed. Common Sense In The Household Marion Harland
