IndieCommunication: Advanced Pre-Orders Enabled

The IndieCommunication e-newsletter for March 2 announced details about new pre-ordering windows, a special offer at the Spring Forums, and more.

Advanced Pre-orders Enabled Beginning March 15

The IndieCommerce platform currently allows stores to accept pre-orders up to 90 days before a book’s publication date. Beginning Thursday, March 15, stores will be able to set the pre-order threshold at three months, six months, or nine months before the pub date, or set no time limit at all, allowing pre-order purchases for any future publication date. This is a great way for indies to compete with Amazon and other e-tailers. Stores that make this change should be sure to promote it to customers, as pre-orders are a big part of the online business. Questions about this change can be sent to [email protected].

Special Offer at Spring Forums for ABA Members Interested in a New Website

IndieLite™ is ABA’s entry-level, low cost e-commerce solution for bookstores. For the upcoming ABA Spring Forums, IndieCommerce has a special offer for bookstores looking for an easy to manage yet affordable website. Stores that sign up for an IndieLite website between March 15 and April 30 will receive the first three months of their subscription for free (a $150 value). To participate, stores must be a current ABA member. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call (800) 637-0037 (option 2).

How Are We Doing?

Are you currently an IndieCommerce or IndieLite user? Tell us how we’re doing by taking this five-question, two-minute, anonymous survey. We would love to quote you about your experiences and share insights with other members.

Don’t Let Your Website Feel the Wrath of Google

The Google Chrome web browser is soon going to start penalizing websites that are not serving secure content. Other web browsers will probably follow. If your site is not secure by July 2018, your customers are going to get a nasty warning on their screen. This is an extremely bad experience for people who shop online. If the web addresses (URLs) for ALL of the pages on your website are not displaying “https,” we can help you convert your site to “https everywhere.” The IndieCommerce team is experiencing a huge demand from stores to get this feature enabled on their website. Sign up now to make the switch on your store’s website.

IndieCommerce Webinar Series Begins March 8

Does your store sell used or rare books? For new books, want to track inventory of signed copies separately? The new “Store Books” feature allows you to upload a spreadsheet of your unique book inventory and create products for sale on your IndieCommerce website. For books that are already in the system, only an ISBN and condition (Fine, Very Good, Good, etc.) needs to be provided — all other metadata, such as the title, author, publisher, and cover image, will be automatically added. This feature builds on the existing Custom Product Bulk Importer feature.

The 2018 IndieCommerce webinar series will begin on Thursday, March 8, at 2:00 p.m. with a 90-minute webinar on the topic “Bulk Upload of Used Books and Signed Copies.”  Sign up here.

Booksellers are encouraged to send their thoughts, questions, or suggestions via e-mail to IndieCommerce staff at any time.

Past editions of IndieCommunication are available on the IndieCommerce Updates page on BookWeb.org.