Netconcepts leaders speaking at Shop.org’s Annual Summit

Speeches coincide with the release of company’s Top Five Online Tips for Consumers

Madison, WI and Las Vegas– September 16, 2008 – Netconcepts, the leader in natural search marketing, today announced company President Stephan Spencer and Vice President of Search Brian Klais are scheduled to speak at Shop.org’s Annual Summit in Las Vegas. Shop.org, a division of the National Retail Federation, is the world’s leading membership community for digital retail companies. The Summit is featuring educational sessions and keynotes from retail leaders, September 15 – 17.

Spencer is hosting two sessions at the Summit, September 16th. He is set to discuss, “Natural Search Tactics for the Retailer,” from 1:00 - 2:15 PM local time and then from 3:30 - 4:30 PM, he will discuss, “So You Think Your Site Can Dance? SEO vs. Branding and Conversion.”

Klais is speaking about the “24+ Specific Things You Can Do To Make More Money Next Week,” Wednesday, September 17, 1:15 - 2:30 PM.

The speeches from Netconcepts’ leaders coincide with its release of its Top Five Online Shopping Search Tips for consumers. Netconcepts helps online shoppers by making sure the brands they are looking for are on the top of their search results. Netconcepts clients include such retail brands like Ralph Lauren, LL Bean and Cabela’s among many others.

“Online shoppers are offered millions of choices when they want to buy something,” said Klais. “We wanted to give them the benefit of our years of experience in helping the nation’s best online retailers. Our job is to make sure online shoppers can find whatever they want online by typing in the product attributes they care about the most.”

According to Klais, these are the Top Five Online Shopping Search Tips:

1. Trying to find a product within a certain price range? Use two periods “..” to search Google for a numerical range. (Ex. LG LCD TV $500..$700)
2. Trying to find the same product in different colors or sizes? Add an uppercase “OR” to your search. (Ex. Cabela’s Socks Wool OR Cotton)
3. Trying to find an alternative to an item you found online? Use the tilde symbol “~” before your keyword to search for similar items and alternatives to your search. (Ex. ~Allen-Edmonds-Shoes)
4. Is Google returning unwanted results? Use the minus symbol “-” to exclude certain sites or keywords from the results. (Ex. Skechers Running Shoes -Zappos)
5. Trying to find a CD? Start your search with “music:” followed by the artist, song title, or album to get the latest reviews. (Ex. music: Foo Fighters)

About Netconcepts, LLC

Netconcepts, the leading provider of natural search marketing, offers automated natural search technology and value added services tailored to help retailers drive online sales. For the largest retail brands, Netconcepts’ GravityStream solution is an award winning, patent pending SaaS technology that powers the natural search channel. GravityMarket is a comprehensive eBusiness solution for mid-market retailers. Founded in 1995, the company is based in Madison, Wisconsin with R & D facilities in Auckland, New Zealand. Netconcepts serves retail brands such as Skechers, Northern Tool, BNET (a division of CNET), Allen Edmonds and Cabela`s among others. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.netconcepts.com.

Speakers:
Rick Klau, Strategic Partner Development, Google
Stephan Spencer, Founder & President, Netconcepts
George Aspland, Founder & President, eVision, LLC
Lee Odden, President, TopRank Online Marketing

Learn…

• Learn how to diversify and supercharge your blog’s revenue streams
• Leverage others’ blogs for your own gain
• Maximize your blog’s search visibility and traffic

Moderator:
Stephan Spencer, President, Netconcepts

Panelists:
Jeremy Schoemaker, Founder, ShoeMoney Media
Duane Forrester, Senior Program Manager (SEO), Microsoft, and author of How to Make Money with Your Blog
Steve Spangler, CEO, Steve Spangler Science
Chloe Spencer, Blogger, Neopets Fanatic.com

Netconcepts and DoubleClick Performics Extend Partnership to Unlock Hidden Content for Search Engines

DoubleClick Performics’ clients use automated technology to make dynamic, e-commerce sites natural search friendly

MADISON, WI – June 4, 2008–DoubleClick Performics and Netconcepts, the leader in natural search marketing, today announced that the two companies are renewing their several year partnership, which enables DoubleClick Performics’ clients to quickly transform their dynamic, e-commerce sites into natural search friendly pages. Studies indicate most online shoppers prefer searching for generic items over brand names. These enhanced natural search capabilities are of benefit to both retailers and the customers they serve.

DoubleClick Performics, the performance-based online marketing division of Google’s DoubleClick, provides comprehensive search engine marketing services, assisting clients with their paid placement, paid inclusion and enhanced natural search solutions. All services are delivered through DoubleClick Performics’ platform, ConnectCommerce, which enables real-time ROI tracking and reporting, as well as dynamic keyword and bid management technology. Netconcepts’ GravityStream technology has been integrated with ConnectCommerce, providing clients with an automated, search engine friendly solution that creates full transparency for natural search results.

GravityStream is easy to implement and does not require heavy reliance on a marketer’s technology department. “GravityStream provides extremely fast time to market for our large retail brands,” said Stuart Larkins, Senior Vice President of Search at DoubleClick Performics. “The best part: it didn’t require a lot of technical support. We have been really impressed with how this automated solution has improved the performance-based marketing power of DoubleClick Performics.”

“Our partnership with DoubleClick Performics, which is based on our GravityStream automated natural search marketing platform, has produced excellent results for all concerned,” said Brian Klais, Vice President of Search for Netconcepts. “DoubleClick Performics is an important member of our growing team of partners and we’re delighted to continue our relationship.”

Other clients taking advantage of this automated, fully trackable, natural search technology solution include: Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, L.L. Bean, Ralph Lauren, FinishLine, Sur La Table, BrylaneHome, Woman Within, and Metrostyle.

About DoubleClick Performics

Since 1998, DoubleClick Performics has delivered consumers to our search engine marketing clients. Our structure provides high-level strategic planning and integrated services resulting in a deep knowledge of consumer behavior. As committed industry leaders, our innovative approach to digital performance marketing enables us to anticipate and shape the future while ensuring our clients’ marketing investments are efficient and effective.

Our world-class solutions stem from superior technology with a layer of intelligence and experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere. DoubleClick Performics is thinking forward.

About Netconcepts, LLC

Netconcepts, the leading provider of natural search marketing, offers automated natural search technology and value added services tailored to help retailers drive online sales. For the largest retail brands, Netconcepts’ GravityStream solution is an award winning, patent pending SaaS technology that powers the natural search channel. GravityMarket is a comprehensive eBusiness solution for mid-market retailers. Founded in 1995, the company is based in Madison, Wisconsin with R & D facilities in Auckland, New Zealand. Netconcepts serves retail brands such as Skechers, Northern Tool, BNET (a division of CNET), Allen Edmonds and Cabela`s among others. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.netconcepts.com.

Netconcepts Adds Multi-Channel Merchant To Growing Roster of GravityStream Clients

Thompson Group Selects Netconcepts to help accelerate online sales growth

Madison, WI – May 19, 2008 – Netconcepts, the leader in natural search marketing, today announced the Thompson Group has selected its GravityStream 2.0 solution, the industry’s first automated natural search platform, to help expand the online presence and sales of its Thompson Cigar property. Thompson Group is a consumer direct catalog company with three e-commerce sites including Thompson Cigar, Casual Living and linensource.

“We had outgrown our existing platform, and began a search for a natural search solution that would not only help with our company’s online growth, but would also scale as our company grew,” said Thompson Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Steve Cobden. “We chose GravityStream 2.0 for its ease of implementation and ability to integrate effortlessly with our own analytics system, allowing us much needed visibility into sales associated with natural search. It’s critical to be able to calculate ROI associated with an important project such as natural search.”

“The most successful online retailers understand that prioritizing natural search increases sales, because we know consumers tend to search for product attributes and information, as well as brand names,” said Brian Klais, Vice President Search for Netconcepts. “We’re really excited about this opportunity to help Thompson Cigar be a major player in the natural search spectrum, and grow this important component of its business.”

About Netconcepts, LLC

Netconcepts, the leading provider of natural search marketing, offers automated natural search technology and value added services tailored to help retailers drive online sales. For the largest retail brands, Netconcepts’ GravityStream solution is an award winning, patent pending SaaS technology that powers the natural search channel. GravityMarket is a comprehensive eBusiness solution for mid-market retailers. Founded in 1995, the company is based in Madison, Wisconsin with R & D facilities in Auckland, New Zealand. Netconcepts serves retail brands such as Sketchers, Northern Tool, BNET (a division of CNET), Allen Edmonds and Cabela`s among others. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.netconcepts.com.

About Thompson Group

Thompson Cigar has the distinction of being the oldest mail order cigar company in the United States. Founded in Key West Florida in 1915, Thompson Cigar has devoted over 90 years to delivering cigar smokers everywhere the very best in national cigar brands, boutique cigars, humidors, cigar cutters and a wide variety of quality smoking accessories. Our Thompson private label cigars allow us to give you the finest cigars at a fraction of what a comparable national brand would cost.

Netconcepts Retained By Online Shoes for Natural Search Optimization Consulting Services

Madison, WI – April 10, 2008 – Netconcepts, the leader in natural search marketing, today announced that Onlineshoes.com has retained Netconcepts’ natural search consulting practice. The company’s search consulting team is expert in the latest techniques of natural search optimization and online marketing that improve the effectiveness of the natural search channel. Onlineshoes.com is the nation’s first online shoe retailer carrying footwear for men, women and children in more than 33,000 styles and across 200 premium brands. The company is listed as #129 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide in 2007.

“We were disappointed with our non-brand search results and decided we had to optimize the website for visitors and search engines to increase the amount of natural search results,” said Dan Gerler, founder and CEO of Onlineshoes.com. “We chose Netconcepts to lead us through the process of increasing the performance of our Natural Search Channel because the company has a proven track record for providing outstanding results for many leading online retailers.”

“The most successful online retailers understand that prioritizing natural search organically increases sales, because consumers use unbranded “long tail” natural search terms 40 times more often than they use branded terms,” said Brian Klais, Vice President Search for Netconcepts. “We are eager to begin working with Onlineshoes.com and make a positive impact on its sales results.”

About Netconcepts, LLC

Netconcepts, the leading provider of natural search marketing, offers automated natural search technology and value added services tailored to help retailers drive online sales. For the largest retail brands, Netconcepts’ GravityStream solution is an award winning, patent pending SaaS technology that powers the natural search channel. GravityMarket is a comprehensive eBusiness solution for mid-market retailers. Founded in 1995, the company is based in Madison, Wisconsin with R & D facilities in Auckland, New Zealand. Netconcepts serves retail brands such as Sketchers, Northern Tool, iFloor, BNET (a division of CNET) and Cabela`s among others. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.netconcepts.com.

About Onlineshoes.com

Established in 1996, Onlineshoes.com is the nation’s first online shoe retailer. With a history that began decades ago in a family-owned corner shoe store, the company is committed to delivering exceptional value and service. Onlineshoes.com offers fashionable, high quality dress, casual and athletic footwear for men, women and kids in more than 33,000 styles and 200 premium brands, as well as athletic apparel and accessories. In addition to price and satisfaction guarantees, customers enjoy free shipping and exchanges every day of the year. For more information, visit www.onlineshoes.com.

The value of email marketing in New Zealand has been growing steadily over the years. Not surprisingly email marketing and online communications are the most popular media of choice now, particularly email marketing.

Email is a powerful marketing tool and it integrates well with traditional media. It spurs immediate action, thus generating direct sales, registrations, growth of database and more. It is also more cost effective than paper-based direct mail and achieves greater ROI. However, it is wrought with challenges. And with the passing of the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act, it’s important for organisations to ensure compliance whilst developing their marketing plans.

Integrated Email Marketing and Online Communications takes a practical approach to ensure continued acquisition, growth and retention of customers through targeted, robust, tried and tested strategies to help lift your email marketing strategies. To help you gain the upper hand over your competition, the course also covers some popular online communications tools that you could implement to supplement your email marketing strategy.

DAY ONE
Digital Communications — Email Marketing, Online and Offline Media
Customers today have more choice available than ever before of how they are communicated with. Customers ultimately want to control the frequency, the content and how they receive their communications. This session covers how email fits within the full marketing mix and how it integrates with other online and offline media.

• What are digital communications?
• How do digital communications fit within the full marketing mix?
• Marketing through email, RSS, blogging, txt, websites
• Platforms – desktop computers, mobile devices
• Integration with other online media
• Integration with offline direct marketing

Developing an Email Strategy
Many companies spend a lot of time, effort and budget acquiring email addresses, but neglect to develop an effective communication strategy once they have them. You’ll learn to develop strategic communication plans to maximise the potential for robust marketing strategies through this session.

• Developing the digital communication strategic plan
• Objectives, strategies and tactical elements
• Understanding the email marketing and digital communications
  process
• How to integrate email marketing into other online and offline media

The Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act: Your Legal Obligations
Understand and ensure that your organisation meets the requirements of the Electronic Messages Act 2007.

• Definition of spam
• Definition of permission levels
• Permission vs. memorable permission
• Industry guidelines and best practices
• How will the Act affect your marketing plans?
• What are the penalties and costs associated with breaches?
• How tight is the current legislation – what are the ways around it?
• How to ensure compliance
• International spam laws – do they apply to companies in NZ?

Data Management: Building and Maintaining a List
Data is at the heart of any form of direct marketing including “email”. It pays to identify the data that you need to collect in order to personalise communications and provide effective reporting.

• Structuring your database – what type of data do you need?
• What are the reporting data requirements?
• “Quantity” vs. “Quality” – retaining the active subscriber
• Cleaning and maintaining data – changes, adds, deletes, fixing misspellings
• What is “provable permission” – recording and time stamping of permission received
• “Offline permission” – how to record permission granted through the call centre, trade shows, network meeting and face-to-face sales activity
• Managing permission across an organisation

In-House or Outsource – Assessing Email Service Providers
Finding the right email service provider is a critical choice for any company. You will explore and learn ways to find the right vendor and technology to manage your campaigns now and into the future through this session.

• How to assess your needs
• Questions you should be asking
• Assessing email service providers in NZ and overseas
• Liaising with your email service provider

DAY TWO
Winning Creative Strategies & Execution for Email
Create email messages that stand out, get read and get the response you plan for.

• “Memorable permission” – planning content your subscribers actually want to read
• Exploring the 19 creative elements (the from line – email brand value, the subject line, the preview pane, position of logo, ratio of text to images, design layout, number and type of links, navigation bar, inclusion of photography, feature offers, location of call-to-action, the words you use and personalisation etc.)
• Email mandatories
• What are the technical specifications?
• Designing effective landing pages and forms
• Use of rich media – video and audio
• Eyetracking and multivariate testing

Increasing Conversion Rates
This session covers how to use data to improve conversions such as open rates, click rates, inquiries and sales.

• Reporting data
• Behavioural targeting
• Event triggered campaigns

Deliverability, Filters and Rendering
Learn techniques to avoid the dreaded “spam” folder and “report spam” button.

• Data collection and tracking
• Filters and list management
• Deliverability reporting codes – messages sent back from ISPs
• About false positives
• Whitelisting – how to get your message delivered every single time
• Image suppression – what’s getting delivered?
• Authentication and reputation
• Rendering your message in email readers

RSS – Spam Free Communications
Is RSS the holy grail of online communications? Lean how to send communications that are completely spam free.

• What is RSS and why use it?
• What are some of the popular RSS readers available?
• iRSS – individualized RSS, sending personalised communications just like email
• Content distribution and syndication

Blogging – Participating in the Ongoing Conversation

• The New Zealand and international blogospheres
• Starting a blog - how to choose a theme
• Posting content – what, how, when
• Dealing with comments
• Making friends – increase your presence in the blogosphere
• Integrating your blog with email and RSS
• Use of video (vlogging) and audio (podcasting)
• Reporting on performance

A focused, well-written blog can get readers hooked on the blog and promote repeat visits to the website or garner subscriptions via RSS feeds and email newsletters. These recurring communications will help to tie potential customers to your site, encourage natural link building and increase repeat visits. Journalists are also more likely to follow a blog or subscribe via RSS than to visit the corporate site repeatedly. So, several avenues of search optimization and online marketing can be addressed with a single blog entity.

From the SEO benefits of business blogging to how it can help your customers, Jeff covers the basics of “who, what and when” of blogging. Read the full article at Practical eCommerce here.

For Immediate Release

Netconcepts® Introduces GravityStream 2.0 – A Powerful Enterprise Level Automated Natural Search Advertising Platform for Online Retailers

– GravityStream 2.0 Delivers 100% of a Retailer’s Site to Web Crawlers, Making Consumers 40 Times More Likely to Find a Retailer’s Branded Offerings –

Madison, WI - February 11, 2008 – Netconcepts, the premiere search engine marketing firm that serves top 200 Internet retailers in better managing their natural search channel, today announced the launch of GravityStream 2.0 (www.GravityStream.com) – a powerful enterprise level automated natural search advertising platform for online retailers.

GravityStream 2.0 automatically converts a retailer’s millions of website pages into optimized landing pages to match its branded products with a consumer’s generic queries. Since consumers conduct approximately 40 times more niche searches than branded ones, this capability gives retailers a major competitive advantage in answering generic searches with their own website landing page results. GravityStream technology delivers “the long tail” – or the approximately 80% of a retailer’s website that traditionally has been unsearchable. Marketers consider “the long tail” to be the Holy Grail of web marketing because it typically equates to 60% of new-to-file customers.

“The largest retailers understand that natural search is the # 1 battlefield for online supremacy, because it is the consumer’s preferred way to shop,” said Brian Klais, Netconcepts Vice President of Search and Co-inventor of GravityStream. “Consumers use unbranded “long tail” natural search terms 40 times more often than they search for branded search terms. GravityStream 2.0 is the first true enterprise level solution to make natural search optimization affordable and scaleable, delivered with the ease of Software as a Service. Now, top retailers can treat natural search optimization as an important component of their overall advertising channel strategy.”

GravityStream 2.0 features include:

• Enhanced Reporting Interface
  The GravityStream Reporting Interface empowers marketers by offering industry leading insight into their long tail by allowing them access to a unique set of KPI metrics designed for growing natural search channels.
• Immediate Time to Market
  Fully optimized site in 30 days, as opposed to the 6 - 12 months of traditional SEO project work.
• Enhanced Real Time Solution to SEO
  GravityStream has been expanded to offer dynamically created, CMS driven, keyword rich URLs. Now an entire site can be easily transformed into a search engine friendly version with the marketer in control.
• Enhanced Architecture
  GravityStream architecture is now more reliable, scalable and faster than ever before.

About Netconcepts, LLC

Netconcepts is a Web technology agency trusted by leading retailers as authorities specializing in search engine friendly E-business, website development, and natural search optimization consulting. The company was founded in 1995. It is based in Madison, Wisconsin with R & D facilities in Auckland, New Zealand. Netconcepts serves retail brands such as HSN, Discovery Communications, REI, Northern Tool, and Cabela’s among others.