MerchantMoms version 2.81 is released and ready for you. This is our slickest, nicest one yet! With this release there are more features, plus your old favorite ones.

A few new features include:

You can now assign up to fifteen category slots per item (instead of five)
You can now have five popup pages (instead of one)
And Google Taxonomy built in!

New sites automatically receive the new release. Try the demo

Then order your site today :

Upgrades can be ordered at http://modmagic.com who handles all of MerchantMoms (only) upgrades.

If you have your domain elsewhere, you may either wish to renew early or transfer it before the price increase.  Some registrars are jumping to $39+ for a .com!

To transfer here:
http://merchantmoms.com/KB/entry/801/

1) Log on at the current registrar and Manage Domain (or something similar)
2) Turn OFF privacy if it is turned on
3) Unlock if locked
4) Make sure that your Admin contact email is correct
5) Get the Authorization Code (or domain secret), most likely sent to your email and pass it onto us

We will need the authorization code in order to initiate the transfer, then you will receive an email to approve it.   It must be approved by the admin contact.
( Be watchful of any spam / bulk mail catchers you have to catch the email, if it happens to go there.)

https://merchantmoms.com/clients/cart.php?a=add&domain=transfer

We are very fortunate to be able to be work-at-home mom’s (and dads), entrepreneurs!   Work at home mom or dad sounds more fun, but we are entrepreneurs.

–noun

a person who organizes and manages any enterprise,especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk; attempts to make profits

With the Internet we have added yet another layer to being an entrepreneur.  No longer is it just business at home, or in a building / store ; but now it is also a web site presence that we need.

You may not need or want to sell products online, but surely should consider having a presence where people will learn a bit about your business.  You can do so with a simple site, or a blog.

You will need:

A domain name (preferably your company name if possible)

A Web Site Host (that’s me ) to ‘serve’ your business to the Internet

If you do want to sell products online, then you will also need a way to receive funds.   Many people are happy with Paypal, it is highly recognizable, and less than a full merchant account for startups.

There are countless resources for businesses so that we can learn from those who already are in the know.  Here is just one

http://www.entrepreneur.com/

They are NOT targeting MerchantMoms, but newer site owners in general.  This happens with many others, such as Volusion, Highwire, etc, as well.

There is plenty of information readily available regarding their tactics, and it does not appear that they would make a good choice for you.

http://www.bbb.org/western-washington/business-reviews/internet-marketing-services/ecommerce-positioning-in-lynnwood-wa-22412997

http://www.ripoffreport.com/computer-marketing-companies/ecommerce-positionin/ecommerce-positioning-ecommerc-7b3b2.htm

The best thing that you can do to protect yourself from these calls is to make sure that your privacy is protected on your domain WHOIS. They may still discover your number on your website if they try, but the main point is the domain information itself.

Take care of yourself and your business.

Now, I am ready to share that we will now be offering CS-Cart installed here at MerchantMoms.   This system has many of the features that you’ve been asking for  that I could not provide with the current MM system.  Rewards, Loyalty, all sorts of great things.

http://mmcartdemos.com/

I’m sure many of you have heard of some of the others out there (ie Volusion, BigE, etc) and perhaps even considered them.  With these systems, everything is hosted there. The bad thing about these systems is that *if* you have issues, you’re at their mercy.  If you should want to leave, you can’t easily.  You can’t take their system anywhere.  It’s not yours to take (much like the MerchantMoms system isn’t).

The CS-Cart is available in the Community, Professional and Multi-Vendor version.

The Multi-Vendor version is *very* pricey, but would be for those who want to open a ‘mall’ and is designed to allow different vendors to sell and manage their products in a single web store with a common storefront and product catalog.

The Professional version is going to be moderately priced and here is the feature list:
* Complete ready-to-use web store package
* Web-based installation wizard & store configuration
* 100% Open source code
* Intuitive administration panel
* Built-in professional design templates
* Bulk uploading of categories, products and images
* Full import and export of product/user/order/language databases in CSV format
* No programming knowledge required for installation and setting up

Localization

* Translated into 8 languages (some translations are partial)
* Easy addition of new languages
* Configurable currency symbols
* Configurable measurement units
* Configurable list of countries/states/provinces
* Ability to switch date and time formats
* Ability to create unlimited number of localizations

Search Engine Optimization

* Search Engine Friendly URLs
* Custom meta keywords and description for product, category and content pages
* Generation of HTML catalog of static product and category pages
* Site map generation
* Breadcrumb trail

Design & Layout

* 100% template driven storefront and admin panel
* Easy integration to match current design
* Fully customizable design & layout
* Extensive usage of AJAX technologies, minimizing screen refreshes
* Category/product thumbnails and detailed images
* One-page checkout
* Design blocks
* Visual language variables editor
* Catalog page
* Mini-cart available on all pages
* Addition of custom content pages via administration interface
* Built-in template editor
* Changing storefront and admin logos via administration interface
* Debug console: displays a tree of templates for all pages

Product Catalog Features

* Unlimited number of products/categories
* Product cloning
* Unlimited category nesting
* Bulk product/category management
* Ability to assign products to multiple categories
* Featured products list and cross selling
* Digital delivery system
* Configurable products
* Quantity discounts
* Discount coupons
* Membership based access to every category

Product Details

* Unlimited product options w/optional surcharges
* Various display types for product options
* HTML enriched product descriptions
* Related products list
* Customers also bought list
* Unlimited product images
* Product large image popup

Marketing & Promotional Tools

* Affiliate ecommerce program
* E-mail/postal gift certificates
* Product filters
* RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization)
* Featured/Related products, cross selling
* Ability to set up variety of promotions
* Product reviews and ratings
* Gift Registry wish list
* One-page checkout
* Bestsellers
* ‘Send to friend’ feature
* Reward points addon
* Ability to add tags
* Polls

Merchandising/Inventory

* Full product stock control
* Low-stock notifications
* Wholesale trade
* Ability to set minimal order amount
* ‘List Price’ and ‘Our Price’ options
* Enabling/disabling product inventory control
* Extended import/export of product database

Shipping & Tax

* FedEx, USPS, DHL, Australia Post & Canada Post real-time calculations
* Intershipper real-time calculator
* Customizable shipping surcharges
* Unlimited custom delivery methods
* Unlimited custom-defined destinations
* Shipping restriction by location
* Free shipping option
* Drop shipping
* Flexible shipping customization (based on the number of items, weight or order amount)
* Customers can choose delivery methods
* Customizable tax calculation
* Product-specific taxes
* ‘Tax exempt’ feature

Payment Gateways & Methods

* Full list of offline payment methods: Checks, purchase orders, phone orders and others
* Real-time credit card processing: 50+ integrated payment systems
* Ability to create new payment methods

Web-based Administration Panel

* Easy and quick addition of multiple items (products, categories, static pages, etc)
* File browser and template editor use AJAX technologies
* Ability to configure every aspect of ecommerce site in real time
* Integrated database backup/restore tool
* Flexible organization of webshop informational part
* Unlimited number of admin accounts
* Multiple levels of administrative access
* Ability to act on behalf of other users
* Ability to collect statistical data
* IP-based access restrictions
* Integrated webmail system
* SMS notifications

Customer Care

* Integrated configurable store search
* Search filters
* Password reminder for customers
* Customers can view order history
* Customer memberships and special pricing
* Membership based access to the informational part of the store
* ‘Continue shopping’ and ‘Clear cart’ buttons
* Printable invoices
* ‘Wish list’ feature
* ‘Feature comparison’ option
* Customer can edit product options directly in the cart

Security

* Full HTTPS/SSL support
* Secure HTTPS/SSL administrative access
* Secure HTTPS/SSL checkout, login and customer profile pages
* Customer passwords are MD5 encrypted in database
* Password-protected administrative access
* Automated periodical requests for administrative password changes
* Passwords are always checked for security

Repeat Customer Accommodation:

* Shopping cart content is stored in database
* Each customer can have unlimited number of profiles
* Registered customers can edit their account details at any time
* Registered customers can view their order history

Please visit the forums to see what our users are learning about this great system!

Who’s Who

Herb and I (Sherri) are the owners.   The phone is answered by myself, or sometimes if you’re really lucky, Herb.  Sometimes (oh no!) you do get voice mail if we are on the line with another client, away for a bit (!) or sleeping (!!).

Kathie, Barb, Tara, Laura and Tina are MerchantMoms staff on the forums and/or at the support desk.  The talent and expertise of these  ladies is passed to you with my complete trust in their capabilities and knowledge of all aspects of the system.  This includes the store administration, SEO, templating, Mal’s, cpanel, email, etc.

Preferred Designers, Approved Designers, MerchantMom Services …

These are NOT MerchantMoms staff (other than Kathie, Tina and Barb who have links there) but people who offer their services to you.  We never act as a mediator between you and them.  The difference between the Preferred and Approved is whether they are hosted here or not, in no other way do we show preference.

We have never hired anyone (nor do we plan to) for marketing, SEO, or any of those aspects of business.  So, any calls or emails you may receive stating otherwise are simply not true.  We believe it is up to each business owner to market their own business, and best when possible to work the system themselves for their SEO, because no one knows your product/business like you do.  The beauty of MerchantMoms has always been to empower YOU to do-it-yourself by presenting the tools and resources to do just that.

Help, where to go for help for what ….

All questions start here at MerchantMoms.

General questions are great for the forum.  We all learn so much from each other.  I post any ‘news’ and announcements there first.  You will need to register on the forums and be a MerchantMoms client to receive access.

If it is urgent or you aren’t comfortable on the forums (though it is very friendly and useful!) , don’t be afraid to submit a support ticket.  The support desk is monitored nearly 24 hours a day.  It is not unusual for you to receive a response within less than an hour of your question.

If we believe it is related to your template, we will let you know to touch base with the template designer.

If it is related to Mal’s, ask us first; if it is necessary to check further with Mal then one of us can contact him or use the forums there to get answers.

If it is related to billing and ordering hosting/domains, the support desk is best.

Thank you all for being such a great group !  YOU make MerchantMoms what it is, has been, and will continue to be through your knowledge and support of each other.

The reason we feel it is important to protect your privacy is so that your personal information is not readily available via the WHOIS database to telemarketers, etc.

At MerchantMoms, we feel that it is your right to have your privacy be protected and do not charge for this service; other domain registry providers do charge extra to protect your privacy – but it is a worthwhile to do so.