Tuesday, December 21, 2010

BUSINESSES: Getting online customers without the expense

There is no doubt about it - today's market is a competitive one for small retail businesses.  With the continued rise of the Aussie dollar against the US dollar, the competition for customers has just gone up a notch or two.  Our dollar's constant climb towards and beyond parity with the Greenback has retailers feeling concerned. Many customers are heading online and offshore to pick up bargains.  There is a general feeling that all items will be cheaper anywhere but on home turf.  But is this always the case?  What if you were offering a product or comparitive product at competitive prices but just couldn't get it out there?  Maybe you haven't even gone down the path of getting a website as the expense and effort don't seem worth it in relation to sales that might be generated.  Those of you who already do a portion of your business online will agree that just maintaining a website is a full time job in itself!  The online world can make retailers feel like a drop in a vast ocean... but the same feeling can apply to shoppers!  Sometimes searching for a product to buy in Australia can lead to dead ends and a variety of search outcomes that are generic, non specific and just not relevant... it's frustrating.

 This is where Shlimbo gives you a competitive and customer interactive online presence. Instead of your customers having to trawl through search outcomes; instead of them only being able to shop at businesses with existing websites ... they can use Shlimbo to put their request out there WITH JUST ONE EMAIL and you get back to them.  No website necessary - just an email address. 

Whilst the cost of an item is a major factor, sometimes getting sales is not just about price comparisons ... people will pay extra for quality, personal and professional service and after sales follow up.  Some shoppers would much rather a product made locally and/or ethically.  Some shoppers are nervous about buying some goods from overseas websites as they would prefer the security of a warranty.  The permutations are endless!! Having an opportunity to explain your point of difference directly to a shopper can help you get your product and ethos out there. It puts the information, and therefore choice, back in the hands of the customer and money in your account.

Shlimbo will revolutionise the way you do business online.  Shlimbo links businesses with customers and business to business.  It facilitates you providing new customers with your brand of personal and professional service.  It wants to help you capture the attention of online shoppers irrespective of whether you have a website or not.   Shlimbo helps the Davids go up against the Goliaths.  YOU JUST NEED AN EMAIL ADDRESS.

For more information on how you might sign up your business go here.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Welcome!

Welcome to the Shlimbo Blog ... a place to come to read all things Shlimbo - the website that revolutionises the way that businesses do businesses online and the way that shoppers shop there.

You see, Shlimbo has been created as a response to our own frustrations as regular online shoppers - we have writhed in our own online shopper limbo - You know the one ...where you know just what you want ... if you could just find it using those conventional search engines... but having to trawl through pages and pages of sites that just don't quite hit the mark - well it all just seems a little too hard? It seems some were born to ride the search engine wave whilst others can only describe their search results as fruitless and irrelevant. “I’m searching for a pair of bathers. No … not public swimming pools … you know, swimming costumes… no not fancy dress shops … hmm, try cossies… NO! I have no need for Russian Cossacks …. I’m looking for togs, swimsuits, bikinis, one pieces, swimming attire…BUDGIE SMUGGLERS!!!!!!!! Shlimbo is poised ready to come to your aid - It is set to deliver what you want with just one email. It's almost karmic, it’s ‘putting it out there' ... and getting Shlimbo to return it. Could you imagine organising your wedding with just one email? Could you imagine planning your kitchen renovation without the online legwork? Could you imagine finding that pair of shoes in your size you thought had sold out? …and all for FREE.


Shlimbo is also for Businesses. It delivers potential customer’s requests straight to your inbox. As small business owners we understand how competing online for business is time consuming – a job in itself. Or maybe you just don’t even go there? Keywords? Hits? Surfing? Browsing? Searches? Sounds like the making of a cheesy Beach Boys number – not a way to do real business. Shlimbo delivers you qualified customers who want what’s in your store or the services that you provide. You don’t need a website. All you need is an email address - the customer’s enquiry gets sent to you there - then you get to respond and service your customers your way. Shlimbo matches a specific enquiry with what you have on offer – so no cosmetic surgery enquiries if you do body work on cars!


On this blog we will regularly post all manner of morsels of information and ideas for businesses and shoppers, as well encouragement and tips for our rewards program participants... and then there are the competitions and giveaways! ...so become a follower so you can get amongst the action.

Want to know more? Register interest here.
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