Based on last year’s affiliate round table and other user feedback, 2Checkout is creating an entirely new affiliate platform.

We have been working closely with a variety of established affiliate marketers to design this new program and now, we would like to extend the invitation to participate in beta testing to the rest of our suppliers and affiliate marketers.

Specifically, we want your feedback about the following:

• General usability of the system
• Fullness of the 2CO Affiliates feature-set in comparison to existing networks
• Overall functionality
• Missing features and functions that are crucial to your success as an affiliate
• Accuracy and helpfulness of our help topics

If you would like to participate in this beta program, please provide the following information in an email to affiliatetest@2co.com no later than September 25, 2009:

• Your Supplier/Vendor ID Number
• Your Name
• Your Website URL

We will begin responding to approved beta testers with welcome letters and other necessary information on October 2, 2009.

Handmade Alpaca products

In our Online handicraft store of Incas products, you will find many gift ideas. Our artisans work on every detail, giving you the perfect handmade product of the Incas culture. We offer you free shipping worldwide with no extra cost, also our store is giving you a free gift with every purchase. The bigger the product you buy the bigger the gift. Don’t miss this opportunity to buy, save and get the perfect gift for you. INCASTREASURES handmade, home decor, jewelry & gifts by talented artisans.

Click here to visit Incastreasures.com

Click here to apply to be a 2CO Spotlight.

In my experience one of the biggest mysteries surrounding marketing is the lack of understanding by many business owners about what marketing is actually supposed to do or it’s purpose. I have been asked this purpose question so many times that I have actually devised a very simple test to determine if a business owner is utilizing their marketing efforts in the most productive way.

So, here’s the million dollar question, what is the purpose of marketing?

Marketing’s purpose is actually three-fold.

The first purpose of marketing is to capture the attention of your target market. It’s impossible to market to anyone, until you can get them to listen to your messages.

Continue reading…

Yesterday, Acculynk released a white paper detailing pilot results for PaySecure, the company’s Internet PIN debit payment method integrated and utilized by 2Checkout.

The paper highlights a number of fascinating consumer usage statistics that to date, Acculynk has been able to gather from the project.

Of note, the report identified that one out of every two consumers presented the PaySecure PIN-pad as a payment option, are choosing to use PaySecure and are entering their PIN successfully. Also, considering the newness of the technology, customers are assessing the PIN pad, recognizing what it is, and entering their PIN quickly – in an average of 37 seconds – which is expected to dramatically reduce once online purchasers become more familiar with the product and use the system with regularity.

Acculynk also discovered that since the PaySecure system provides customers the opportunity to “opt out” of PIN entry at any point during the purchase (on both the entry splash page and the PIN-pad), that once consumers are on the PIN-pad, only 10% do not complete the PIN entry process. This demonstrates that a large majority of consumers are comfortable enough with the product to finish the transaction as PIN debit.

At 2Checkout, PIN debit is LIVE and here to stay. The payment method’s popularity with consumers is sweeping the nation and the world. In fact, at last month’s Direct Response Forum, in a session titled “Is Now The Time For PIN Debit,” the presenters mentioned that for the first time, as of February 2009, debit passed cash as the most widely used payment method. This is a monumental and historic shift in the fundamental way consumers purchase products. With this in mind, any e-commerce solution not accepting PIN debit as a payment method, is an incomplete solution.

Online PIN debit will continue to grow and we are proud to be blazing the trail with Acculynk to ensure 2Checkout users have access to the most convenient and complete list of payment methods available.

We want to take this opportunity to officially welcome and thank the many South African-based online businesses that took advantage of our free signup promotion offered through the end of August.

We were thrilled to attract so much positive reaction from the country’s business owners and even more so, validate the advantages 2Checkout offers South Africans within the e-commerce marketplace.

With this good news comes better news. Due to the offer’s popularity, we are extending our free signup promotion through September 30. Now, South African-based online businesses have an additional month to take advantage of 2Checkout’s special promotion, try our service risk free, and receive a full waiver of our traditional $49 USD signup fee.

Again, thank you South Africa, for your continued support! We pride ourselves on being South Africa’s ideal e-commerce solution and look forward to helping many more South African-based business owners realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

And for those of you in South Africa who have yet to take full advantage of 2Checkout’s free signup offer, visit 2Checkout Advantages in South Africa to learn more and sign up free today while our offer lasts!