MerchantCircle’s Million Merchant March
January 21, 2010 by admin · 2 Comments
MerchantCirle, the company described as a “hyperlocal business directory” and a “social network for business owners” has signed up its millionth merchant. (Full disclosure: they are a former client). I have used MerchantCircle since they were founded, maintaining a presence on the service for Savvy Cellar Wine Bar & Wine Shop. As the site has grown and evolved, I have tried many of their new features and enhancements.
Here’s my $.02 on why they’ve been successful and what type of business owner can benefit by using MerchantCircle. Read more
Game On With Groupon
December 3, 2009 by admin · 26 Comments
As co-owner of Savvy Cellar Wine Bar & Wine Shop, I get to experiment with promotional services that are designed to help local businesses. Over the course of several years we’ve tried (in no particular order): Google Adwords, Yahoo! Local, MerchantCircle, local newspapers, local magazines, email, Twitter, Facebook, FourSquare, Peninsula Shops, Movie Theater Advertising, Rumbafish and now Groupon.
An online coupon site, Groupon is organized by major metro markets in the U.S. Each day, the company features unique offers in the local market (restaurants, spas, entertainment, etc.) at a special “group” price. There is a minimum level set for each offer – meaning that a certain number of people have to sign up for the daily groupon in order for everyone to get it. This drives sharing among friends on social networks. If enough people opt to take the offer, then the offer is “on”. At the end of the day, everyone who took the offer is charged. Then Groupon takes its cut of 40-60 percent and pays the merchant the balance.
Local Business Battered, Bruised But Alive!
November 16, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
MerchantCircle released the results of their most recent “Merchant Confidence Index.” Of the 12,000 plus local merchants who participated in the survey, some highlights:
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- Overall economic sentiment continues to be low
- Low expectations for holiday sales
- Some glimmers of hope appearing to emerge
- High expectations for business survival
- Some plan for modest hiring
- Overall economic sentiment continues to be low