ecommerce recommendations and related topics
opt-in e-mail
A term that refers to promotional e-mails that have been requested by the individual receiving them. Unlike spam promotional e-mails that get sent out to large lists of recipients without regard to whether or not they want the information, opt-in e-mails are only sent to people who specifically request them.
Opt-in e-mails are targeted and often personalized and carry information about specific topics or promotions that users are interested in learning about. Typical opt-in e-mails contain newsletters, product information or special promotional offers. For example, if a user frequented a Web site that sold books and music online, that user could "opt in" to receive announcements when his favorite author or musician released new material. The promotional e-mail may even present the recipient with a special promotional offer to purchase the product at a discount available only to those on the opt-in list.
Spammers, however, have found a way to use the opt-in feature to their advantage. Spam e-mails often come with opt-in features in fine print or obscured somewhere in the body of the e-mail with text that reads something to the effect of "Failure to respond to this e-mail will automatically opt-in the recipient to future mailings." The strategy of responding to the spam and asking to be removed from future mailings also has critics as some claim that responding to a spam e-mail with a request to be removed from the mailing list signals that the e-mail address is a working address and the address can then be passed on to other spammers.
Also see Getting Rid of Spam in the Did You Know section of Webopedia.
A shopping cart is a piece of software that acts as an online store's catalog and ordering process. Typically, a shopping cart is the interface between a company's Web site and its deeper infrastructure, allowing consumers to select merchandise; review what they have selected; make necessary modifications or additions; and purchase the merchandise.
Shopping carts can be sold as independent pieces of software so companies can integrate them into their own unique online solution, or they can be offered as a feature from a service that will create and host a company's e-commerce site. CRM Definition
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is an data industry locution for
methodologies, software, and usually Internet capabilities that aid an enterprise operate customer
relationships in an organized and efficient manner. In many cases, an enterprise builds a
database about its customers. This database describes relationships in sufficient detail so that
management, salespeople, and customer supply reps can access data; match customer needs with
product plans and offerings; remind customers of supply requirements; know what other products a
customer had purchased; etc. RM Definition Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is an data
industry locution for methodologies, software, and usually Internet capabilities that aid an
enterprise operate customer relationships in an organized and efficient manner. In many cases,
an enterprise builds a database about its customers. This database describes relationships in
sufficient detail so that management, salespeople, and customer supply reps can access data;
match customer needs with product plans and offerings; remind customers of supply requirements;
know what other products a customer had purchased; etc.
