IndieCommunication: Google Business Profiles, Fraud Alerts & More

The IndieCommunication newsletter for June 28 includes tips for taking control of how your business appears on Google, new online scams to be aware of, an update on customer support for the July 4 holiday weekend, and a tip of the week.

Have You Captured Your Google Business Profile?

How do prospective customers find out about your bookstore? Like everything else, they probably Google it! Take control of how your bookshop appears in Google search results by capturing your Google business profile. Search Engine Watch published an informative article on why this free service is so important to your bookstore and how to optimize your listing for the best results. After reviewing the article, take a look at Google My Business to get started on improving that all-too-important first impression..

Even if you already have a Google Business Profile, be sure it’s updated and takes advantage of any newly added options and features. Most importantly, be sure your listing is optimized for local search results.

Fraud Is Everywhere: More Fraud Updates

This week, the IndieCommerce team has shared a new selection of fraudulent e-mails to watch out for, sent in by fellow ABA members. Here are the messages the IndieCommerce team was alerted to (messages include typos and grammatical mistakes):

“Your American Express Card Account Requires an Urgent Validation. Proceed to AMERICAN EXPRESS® Validation page. You can also find the Secure Message Center by logging in to your account at American Express® Sign on Page, then click "Manage Your Account" and select one of your Cards to see the link to the center. This Validation Message Will be Accessible to you Within 7 days. We Appreciate your Cardmembership With American Express®.”

“Dear,
kindly be inform that i will like to place order for the below book title.i will be glad if you can apply some sales discount of as you stated on the order
Biological Nitrogen Fixation, 2 Volume Set .............. 10 copies
calculate the shipping cost to the below address.please i want my order ship post office priority international mail,please i want the quotation in usdollars
.
GXXXXXY FXXXXXE
XX Bamgbose street
lagos island,101004
lagos,Nigeria phone:XXXXXXXX
awaiting to receive to receive the quote.”

“Dear Sales,
My name is KXXXn PXXXXp. I'm inquiring about some items down to my new store:
Can you provide me your website?
What shipping courier do you use?
What credit card types do you accept for payment?
Kindly provide an answer to my above inquiries at your earliest convenience.
Thank you,
Kxxxn Pxxxxp
Opic Western store
(7xx)3xx-xxx4”

If you come across other fraudulent e-mails that you would like to share with the IndieCommerce team, forward them to [email protected].

Limited Customer Support

ABA offices are closed on Friday, June 30, and Monday, July 3. Customer support will be limited to urgent support issues on those days.

Tip of the Week

Does your IndieCommerce or IndieLite website currently offer your customers the ability to save items to a wish list or gift registry? If not, this is a great option to offer. This feature allows authenticated customers to create and manage simple wish lists of products. To enable this feature or to view other available features on your IndieCommerce site, go to:

Store -> Configuration -> Account Information and Preferences -> Store Features (see photo)

If you have questions about this option, contact the IndieCommerce team at [email protected].

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.