Auction Software Review has been around for as long as I can remember as a hub for neutral advice and discussion around eBay mostly, the tools, the third party services and industry news.

So I posed 10 questions to Andy and here they are:

1. From a start in Politics what drew you to online marketplaces?

I’ve had a strong interest in computing since childhood – I was programming in BASIC on the Commodore VIC-20 (with 3.5KB of RAM!) in the early 80s. It’s hard to believe we used to wait several minutes to load programs from cassette tapes while watching flickering lines on a portable TV. I graduated through the Commodore 64 and Amiga and finally onto Windows in the mid-90s. My Politics degree feels like it was a diversion from computing, rather than online marketplaces being a diversion from Politics!

Liz – gosh I remember being very proud of myself changing the screen colours on our vic-20, however I was 4 at the time!

2. What was your thinking when you first started Auction Software Review?

I discovered eBay and like many enjoyed selling every bit of halfway-valuable junk around the house. Even selling a few household items at a time is a chore, so I wondered how the big-volume sellers cope. I wanted a new programming project at that time and considered writing a tool for eBay sellers, but on discovering how much was already out there (in 2003!) decided there was more value in building a portal about the software already available, rather than jumping on the bandwagon with yet another tool.

3. The site has been around for a while, what do you think contributes to it’s success and longevity?

Software for online marketplaces can be a really confusing area, and I have seen few other sites try to tackle it. When I started ASR, even eBay didn’t have their own directory of compatible software. A few generalist ecommerce sites have put some effort into the area, but ASR has kept focused on software and I think developed a really rich coverage over the years that has helped it stand out all this time.

4. What are the future plans for Auction Software Review?

I recently updated the site to reflect the focus on all multi-seller marketplaces, not just eBay. I’ll continue to look at technology for selling on all marketplaces, and software for running your own web store where it includes integration features for one or more marketplace. Many sellers nowadays are quick to look beyond a single channel and want tools to bring all their selling together – which has several challenges!

5. What do you hope that users get out of Auction Software Review as a site?

I hope they expand their knowledge of software for online marketplaces, and can make a more informed choice about the right tools for them. Sellers’ needs are really varied, and potential providers numerous, so ASR can’t always make it easy – but I hope it’s a big help.

6. If you had to be an e-commerce avenger who would you be? What is YOUR e-commerce super power?

Um, I’d be Captain e-commerce, a traditional technology soldier happy to fight in the trenches but also able to direct the troops. Yes, I realise that doesn’t make much sense… read into it what you will…

Liz – sorry for sucking you into my current ‘superhero’ e-commerce anecdotes world

7. What was the strangest thing you ever sold online?

I sold hundreds of CDs of vacuum cleaner noise several years ago. It’s great for getting cranky babies to sleep, and I received some fantastic feedback like “MIRACLE WORKER!” and “hope it works-if not posting the baby to you LOL!!” Someone contacted me very recently and asked if she could get another copy as her daughter still listened to it and was traumatised when the disc got scratched… I sent her an MP3!

Liz – A friend of mine had such a CD and I really thought it was bonkers…till I realised her kids will sleep through the housework and all kinds of random noises with no trouble!

8. Do you have any e-commerce ‘tales’ you tell at parties?

When ASR first started, it was called the “eBay Software Review” but I soon received a not-so-friendly email from eBay’s lawyers telling me to cease and desist!

Liz – unless you have had such a letter you don’t really live in this world…!

9. Who is your biggest influence when it comes to online marketplaces?

I don’t know if I have big influences, but have met some great people over the years (many never in the flesh) and am grateful for their support. For example, Gene Chandler of SpoonFeeder [eBay software that's no longer around] was my first advertiser and helped me realise the site could generate some income.

10. If you ruled the e-commerce world, what would be the FIRST thing you would change?

I would make it so we don’t have to register to shop at any more websites!

Liz – Ug, yeah…there has to be a magic way this can be phased out!

Make sure you get yourself over to Auction Software Review and check out the directory and reviews of third parties. Why not review a company you have used or suggest a new one? If you have e-commerce questions or woes ask your fellow e-comrades as we all know sometimes being an eBay seller or selling online can be a lonely business!

Thank you Andy for this interview!

I would love to incorporate more interviews into this blog so drop me an email if you want to be featured. Normally I have to have known about you for a while, met you in person or used your software and LIKED it to interview you. I ask some sensible questions and some silly.

Catalyst is looming and we are getting our game plan ready to introduce attendees to Widshops eBay design a fantastic scalable solution for your international plans.

E-business is international and part of our Widshop swat team for Channeladvisor Catalyst is Mathias who speaks German and English, Larissa who speaks 4 languages and Patrick who speaks German/English. So with my new found love of asian languages we are very much the international team ready to take our customers to the next level.

Quite often we partner with Intercultural elements who have helped our UK based customers become international eBay superstars with their translation, customer service and market knowledge.

Hopefully I will see lots of you at catalyst which is almost SOLD OUT, so you need to be quick to be part of the greatest date in the e-commerce calendar!

See you soon! I will have sherbert dibdabs, haribo and chocolate at the widshops booth so it is worth popping by!

Sometimes the e-commerce underdog (not quite so full of death and hate I hope) is royally smashed into the floor by those big ‘retailers’ whom your buyers seem to instantly revere as the ‘good guys’

Even though you have been around for a while, carefully understanding your customer base and what they need (not quite subjugation I hope)……along come the ‘Avengers’, or as some know them ‘the outletters’ who completely wade in and become the law in your category.

But don’t forget even the underdog has fans and social media is one way you can get this loyal following. Even if your not the one in the shiny red iron suit.

Twitter is a great way to get quick messages across and start trends. If you are unsure about twitter and how to play it take a look at one of my favourites:

http://twitter.com/#!/mclaren_eshop

Being in F1 they know about fans, what they want and how to get purchases made.

Facebook is great for brand development. Sometimes you have to play the same game as these big branded retailers and carve yourself in the the conciousness of the people. Don’t be afraid to become a brand.

One of my favourite clients is becoming just that: http://www.facebook.com/Passion4italianfashion

Great giveaways, showing who they are as a company because they are a group of dynamic women who source and provide great fashion and discounts unmatched by outlet retailers.

So use the power of social media to create your army and take over your category! You were MADE to RULE!

On the flip side if you are one of the Avengers or eBay outlets if you don’t ‘bring it’ you will be trounced by the younger brothers in your category who could ‘outfox’ you as your swinging around the hammer of power.

It doesn’t always work, being the biggest and strongest…especially if you are late to this party.

Some of the big retailers had the foresight to integrate themselves into online marketplaces from the beginning (thinking of Littlewoods and Schuh) and like Iron Man and the Hulk have had plenty of story lines and incarnations to work with. Already loved by the public before the outlet programme was assembled.

Take a good look at how THEY use social media to engage. Schuh retweet their followers comments on purchases. I’ve had two re-tweets myself so with over 8000 followers (remember e-commerce business don’t have scream-y fan bases like actors so don’t expect 100K from a retailer too often) they still manage to read and retweet.

Social media DOES take time and time is money but with patience and management can be a great way to communicate who you are to customers, as this is what they like.

Try not to become a megalomaniac though and take over the world. Because even though we love twiddleston as an actor of evil guys…in reality balls of hate trying to take over the world by force are not generally a good thing!

Which E-commerce Avenger are you?

1. Captain America.

A good sort of chap, more weathered in experience and still loves to reminisce of the days before the scourge of facebook. I mean, you have only just warmed up to e-commerce and the hyper web….now you are being told you have to sell through social media? You just don’t get it. In fact, you don’t want to get it.

2. Hulk.

SMASH! Lets put ALL of our 20000000000 product catalogue on eBay and totally smash our way into being the best. We don’t need strategy because we are STRONGER and MADDER than YOU! RWOAAARRRRR!

3. Iron Man.

If your website is not optimised for the 2017 apple smartwatch that is currently in development you are not interested. The future is NOW, even the distant future.

4. Black Widow.

You know your strengths and weaknesses and play them to the full when it comes to your competition. Always flexible and always ahead of the game. You know how to get the best discounts, from the best suppliers and know the best avenue for online sales. You look fabulous while you are doing it as well.

5. Hawkeye.

A bit impressionable but good at what you do. Sometimes you get talked into changing your e-business mostly to your detriment. Fortunately the e-world works fast and you can quickly recover and learn from your mistakes. Shame about that adwords bill though…no absolution there!

6. Fury.

You know what you are doing and you are damn well going to speak about it at the next Internet Retailer and tell these FOOLs whats what. But first you need to gather your team as this is going to be BIG!

7. Thor.

You are in total control of every aspect of your business and online marketplaces. In fact you are a GOD in your category and you fight every day gladly to maintain your place. Fight on comrades!

but of course no good set of super hero’s is ANYTHING without a super villan…

8. Loki.

You can manipulate your trading environment to suit YOUR needs. You drive for influence at the highest level, speak to all the key players at eBay and know how to play third party providers off one another to get the best deal on your eBay design. You play a high risk game but you love it. You might make a loss on that 99p auction but you will slaughter a weakling competitor in your category by doing so. Glorious.

When you fail though, you fail big time. And we laugh at you.

Please note I have not based these on anyone I know I have based them on…ya know…The Avengers (Film)…

Feel free to own up to your Avengers personality, suggest different traits or another Avenger from the comics

However recently I and a few others have sold items to our close knit kimono community THROUGH facebook. There is a lot of recycling going on!

We even have a group now which brings the wider kimono community together to trade by branching out from the self imposed limits of a friends list. We have in essence, created our own free eBay style trading platform.

Paypal and now Ping It are being used for payment.

It feels as though through facebook we are going back to clearing out the loft and trading personally with fellow enthusiasts like in the days of old and well…gumtree.

This method is not for the large retailer of course, and this community is about individual unique pieces which have historical/antique value.

However, a friend is organising to sell a very special item through facebook to the tune of $3000 at a near 90% profit. Nice huh?

When my band of shopoholic friends start using facebook e-commerce stores I will report that, but for now..nothing.

On how you can use facebook for other business activities give this a read:
Four practical ways to use Social Media to sell

The companies I trust and value are never 100% glowing, as all companies have their problems and not all solutions work for all business models.

A few people have mentioned the ‘e-commerce boys club’ (even though no sexism was meant in this reference) of companies partnering with each other, covering each others faults and basically not giving real information to clients. Practises include cleansing out bad or even just critical reviews, convincing clients wrongly that they NEED said solution just so they can get their chunk of referral.

I hate paid referrals. It makes finding the best solution for your client about your own pocket. I avoid them where I can and only team up with partners who I like and always think of my customer first.

Happy customers who are successful make me happy. Unhappy customers constantly trying to fit a square business into a round hole makes me sad. I had enough of this torture in my previous life with another company. I hated it but then I was also being forced into an odd shape that didn’t fit.

I hope that this ‘notion’ that small businesses have about the ‘e-commerce club’ doesn’t hurt great companies and great designers who are in this industry because they love it.

I mean, e-commerce is a child only a parent can love at the best of times! It’s my addiction, my passion and my clients are continually the best in the business.

As a small (or large) business, does the effect of ‘paid referrals’ or even worse ‘paid reviews/blog posts’ worry you? Are you being hoodwinked into spending your money? Are you concerned you will face legal action if you complain about a company publicly?

Our government wants us to trade internationally but have allowed this kind of increase?

I get books through YesAsia with FREE SHIPPING as long as I spend over $35. The mooks I buy are about 450g each. I normally buy two/three at a time so each parcel nears 1kg.

If I wanted to get these posted from a UK seller (who is also twice as expensive) it would cost £7.82 if I lived in Europe, £14.08 if I lived in the US and £5.60 in reality as I live in the UK a the new prices. It doesn’t SEEM a lot and what the RM profess they need to charge to make a profit. But the real clincher here is that postal prices in other countries are MUCH cheaper for business and it’s cheaper for me to import than buy from my home country.

Sad really.

Also as we expand e-business in the UK to encompass world wide exporting, so companies can remain competitive they are squeezing their margins. Consumers won’t pay more so they Royal mail is probably going to cost a few people their jobs as companies shed excess costs.

This seems to be the big worry for etailers with new legislation coming in, disproportionate postal price hikes and everything seemingly to be detrimental to the wonderful and profitable world of ecommerce that WAS open to all big and small…

That’s why I am learning Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

I think I might need it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17661004

Sorry, I promise to write something intelligent soon. Far too much chocolate over Easter has made me silly.

“As online retailing continues to grow whilst overall spending is weak, the fixed costs and poor performance of some stores drag on the overall business.”

However, we all know online spending has been growing significantly for the last 10 years, why does it seem big business only decided to catch up when we hit a recession?

Did they not believe the figures?

Think it was a fickle avenue or passing fad did they?

When the supermarkets started aggressive online trading did they not think it was worth the investment?

Don’t blame us forward thinking e-entrepreneurs for your demise, we made it easy for you.

You didn’t take it seriously? TOUGH.

Damn you Amazon for providing me with music and books for the past 10 years: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/06/amazon-destroy-britain-book-industry

Right, well that’s my rant over for today. Normal business will now resume.

As a website designer/coder/guru all you want is for your work to produce SALES for your clients.

Feeling rosy now