I have received TWO AdWords coupon codes from last week’s conferences: The New Media Asia and WordConf Asia. The AdWords coupons worth RM120 each. I am giving away both AdWords codes to you. Read on to find out how to claim them.

How to claim free AdWords coupon code

It is simple. No form to fill. No lucky draw.

Simply goto LiewCF Tech Blog‘s facebook page and goto Giveaway section. The AdWords coupon codes are there. First come, first served. You can claim the code at http://adwords.google.com/. Invalid code means the code has been claimed.

Note:

• You need to have a working website (or a blog).
• The AdWords coupon code is for NEW activated AdWords account only.
• To complete the registration and billing details, you will need to provide your credit card information.
• The coupons EXPIRED AFTER 31/07/2011

Giveaway: Google AdWords Coupon Codes is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

The goal of any online shop site is to sell. The goal for any online shop store owner is to sell more and the goal of the marketing department is get to get more people to the site. So that is all pretty straight forward so far, everybody knows what they have to do and everybody knows what the end goal is–sell more.

This is where things prove to get a little more difficult, a very small percentage of your traffic will buy from you on their first visit to your site, and some reports claim that online shop sites need to interact with potential clients anything up to seven times before they can secure a sale. This can prove very difficult for an online shop that is selling merchandise that is available on countless other sites and has nothing new and interesting to offer. How can we make people interested enough to keep them coming back to our sites?

The Stickiness of your online shop can prove vital if you want to continue to drive sales both from new and old customers. How can you make your online shop compelling and attractive enough so that customers will continue to return time and time again?

Emails, Newsletters, E-zines

This is probably the oldest trick in the book, when someone check out online you can collect their email address and the send them promotions, product updates, newly added product lines the list here is endless. This method has proven its importance in driving sales for many years now. But what is slightly worrying about this method; is that many site owners only use emails when they want to offer their mailing list a discount. I’m convinced this is a bad idea, because if you do it regularly enough you mailing list will begin to realize that a discount will be coming soon so the will hold off buying that new item until they get a discount for it.

Blogs

This isn’t a new trick, but a lot of the blogs that are attached to an online shop site do pretty much the same thing, highlight new products and possible discounts, but a blog can be a great way not only to brand your site but to also help put a real face and a personal touch to a site, a blog is where you can give your views not only on the products you stock but you can also comment on a wider variety of topics that may interest both you and your customer base. If people are interested in what you have to say as well as what you sell, a blog is a great way to get the word out and keep your customers coming back.

Social Media, Web 2.0

If you can’t find potential customers on Facebook or Twitter, then maybe an online shop site isn’t the best way to sell your products. As you already have your customers email addresses why not see how many of them are on Twitter and Facebook, if you customer base is between 18 and 35 there is a good chance they are probably on both platforms. Both are not only a great way of connecting with your customers but they can also prove an effective way to get you and your site in front of a group of potential new customers that hadn’t heard of you before, remember people with the same interests usually tend to stick together and if you can get your site in front of one of that group there is a good chance that the others may take notice as well. I would again look at these social media sites as a way to put a real face behind your business. If potential customers can put their faith in a real person instead of a website it can help to drive more sales.

With all this said there are a couple of important things that I think need to be highlighted, the end goal will always remain the same, you need to sell more and using these channels is really just a means to and end. Never get too personal, the last thing you want is your customers thinking they can rely on you to fix any problems they are having with your products. If any of customers have received a poor service from your company there is always the possibility they will vent their anger in these channels, be prepared for this and if any issues do arise deal with them as professionally as possible, show that you are doing everything you can to rectify the issues and make things right in the eyes of the customer. People will see this and hopefully realize that you are willing to go the extra mile.

This is a guest post by Neil from eMobileScan, who are one of the UK leading online retail specialists of handheld computers and barcode scanner. Including the full range of Wireless barcode scanners.

[Image credit: By Maximum PC [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons]

HOW TO: Keep Your Customers Coming Back To Your Online Shop is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

As our second customer support center in the Asia Pacific region (the first is in Shanghai, China), the new facility in Malaysia will offer service and support for customers across Southeast Asia as well as provide operational support for PayPal’s global payment service.

With the new PayPal office, PayPal is also hiring in Malaysia. There are now 14 open positions available (mostly responsible for frauds related tasks).

Update: A reader tip me that the PayPal Malaysia is located in First Avenue, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.

No word about the address of PayPal office. Please tip me if you know their address.

Other PayPal customer support center are: Shanghai, China; Chandler, Arizona; Omaha, Nebraska; Dublin, Ireland; and Berlin, Germany.

Too efficient?

Ironically, my PayPal account got limited account access out of sudden at the same day of the announcement! That’s really hurt my feeling now.

I have PayPal account as soon as they start to accept Malaysian application and I use PayPal to receive online revenue and pay for online shopping. I do no evil!

Currently, I am in progress to resolve the issue. I’ll report to you later.

Read my other PayPal related articles.

New PayPal Office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (and Hiring!) is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

Ever since Malaysians are able to withdraw PayPal money to local bank account, many people are wondering how to top-up PayPal account?

It was not possible until RHB Banking Group announced their new Internet banking service called “RHB-PayPal“, which allows Malaysians to top-up their PayPal account instantly via saving/current account.

RHB-PayPal is a FREE service for all RHB customers. No additional charge. It is also announced on PayPal Blog.

RHB also revealed the WorldMart where you can find the online shops that accept PayPal payments. WorldMart is a sub-site of PayPal Plaza.

What do you need to know about RHB-PayPal top up service

This is a RHB customer only service. It is a free service. To access, Login to RHB Internet Banking > Prepaid Services > Top Up PayPal Account.

You can top-up PayPal funds in Ringgit Malaysia (RM) and US Dollars (USD). However, top up in RM can ONLY transfer to a Malaysian registered PayPal account ONLY. The daily transaction limit is RM3000.

The transfer made in foreign currency (non-MYR) will use a currency exchange rate higher than the Bank’s applicable rate (PayPal’s exchange rate?).

You can top-up any PayPal account. Make sure you enter the correct PayPal email address because you CANNOT cancel the transfer and get a refund.

I am not a RHB customer. How do I top-up PayPal account?

I am PayPal user for years (since PayPal accepts Malaysians) and made many PayPal payments but I never top-up PayPal account.

As long as you have added and verified a credit/debit card to your PayPal account, you can shop using PayPal. The money will be debited from your card.

If you have any PayPal questions, please add in comment or contact me.

At Last, Malaysians Can Top Up PayPal Using Bank Account (RHB) is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

MALAYSIA: Do you know that you need to register your online business with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)? There are 400 online businessmen who have been charged in court for not registering their business.

…they were charged under Section 12 (1) (a) of the Registration of Businesses Act 1956 (Amendment 2001) which carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.

[via TheStar]

While I understand that every business has to be registered, I still felt surprised to read the news. There are so many online-seller-wannabes around us. They made a simple site on free hosting (blogger.com, for example), post a few product photos and, that’s it! They have a so-called “e-commerce” site!

In this case, all of those part-time-online-sellers are required to register to SSM (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia) to avoid getting charged.

What do you think about the news? Do you have friend(s) who sell stuff online but yet to register their “business”? Would you warn them after reading this news?

P.S. The SSM website is so Web 0.5.

Malaysians, Registration Required to Sell Stuff Online! is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

I withdrew the PayPal money at Nov 2, 2009 and received in my Public Bank account at Nov 5, 2009. 4 working days. I withdrew more than RM400, so there is no extra fee.

Surname? Name?

When you are adding bank account to PayPal account, PayPal fixed the “surname” field according to your account information. The “surname” might be your name.

It doesn’t matter. Don’t worry.

Just make sure your full name is there, no matter how they arrange your name. Example: “Surname Name” or “Name Surname”.

A reader also reported that she received PayPal money, even only submitted partial of her full name (missing middle name)!

Read my previous post “How to withdraw PayPal money to any Malaysia bank accounts?“

Yes! Received PayPal Money in Malaysia Bank Account is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

Read on to find out how to do that.

A bit background…

In 2004, PayPal starts to accept Malaysian registrations. No withdrawal options for Malaysians that time.

3 years later, 2007, PayPal allows Malaysians to withdraw PayPal money to their credit card, debit card, or prepaid cards.

2 years later, in the middle of October 2009, PayPal started to support Malaysia Ringgit currency and updated the user policy (paypal login required).

Shortly after, the end of October 2009, PayPal officially allows PayPal money withdrawal to Malaysia bank accounts! A feature that we have waited for 6 years!

What’s the big deal?

Now, Malaysians can send & receive PayPal money in Malaysia Ringgit (MYR) currency, and withdraw PayPal money to local bank accounts!

Meaning, you can sell your stuff online and let PayPal handle the payment transactions, local or International! It truly opens a new door to Malaysia e-commerce business!

Note: Malaysians still cannot top-up their PayPal accounts from their bank accounts.

How to add Malaysia bank account to PayPal?

1. Login your PayPal account. Under “My Account” tab, click “Profile” then click “Add/Edit Bank Account“.
2. At the new page “Add a bank account in Malaysia“. You need to fill in your name, bank name, bank routing code, and your bank account number.

   

   Updated: Don’t need to worry about the fixed “Surname” in the form. Just make sure your full name is included. The name’s arrangement (Surname Name or Name Surname) doesn’t matter. Click here for more information.

   Tip: click on the “Details” link to find out your bank’s routing code

3. After you are done, you will be asked to review the details. Click “Add Bank Account” button if everything is correct.
4. You are done!

How to withdraw PayPal money to Malaysia bank account?

1. In your PayPal account, click on “Withdraw” under “My Account” tab. Then, click “Withdraw to your bank account” link under the options.

   Note: It will take 2-3 business days to process the PayPal to Bank transaction. Withdrawal over RM400 is free of charge. If less than RM400 is withdrawn, PayPal will charge you RM3.00.

2. At the new page “Withdraw funds“, enter the amount in USD you want to withdraw and select the destination bank account.

   

   Tip: Click on the “Currency converter” link to check the current PayPal currency conversation rate.

   Click on “Continue” button to review your withdrawal information.

3. At the next page, make sure everything is correct before you click on the “Submit” button.

   PayPal charge RM15 if the funds are returned because your bank information is incorrect or does not match!

   After you clicked on the “Submit” button. Your withdrawal request is pending to process.

4. Wait 2-3 business day and the PayPal money should be in your selected Malaysia bank account! Cha-ching!

Related books:

• “PayPal For Dummies” listing at Amazon.com
• “Pro PayPal E-Commerce (Expert’s Voice)” listing at Amazon.com

My two cents

PayPal is the most popular and most affordable online merchant service in the world. It is secure and safe.

It is FREE to set up a PayPal account to accept online payment (including credit cards). Fees are applied ONLY when you accept a payment.

Now every Malaysians can do e-commerce business at home, in your pajamas!

Click here to sign up your PayPal account, FREE.

Update: I have received PayPal money in my Malaysia bank account. Click here for more information.

Questions about PayPal? Ask in the comment and I shall reply you.

How to Withdraw PayPal Money to Any Malaysia Bank Accounts? is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

Image: withdraw paypal funds to credit card

The new feature is great for PayPal members in the countries where previously can send money but had limited ways to receive or withdraw money. Example: Previously, Malaysian PayPal members can only send or receive PayPal funds but no official way to withdraw the funds. Now, they can withdraw their funds to their card.

The new functionality is available in: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Cyprus, Estonia, Gibraltar, Iceland, Indonesia, India, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Philippines, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, UAE, and Uruguay.

Check PayPal Offerings Worldwide for updates.

Withdraw PayPal funds to your card

Before you can withdraw PayPal funds to your card, you need to add a valid debit, credit card or prepaid card to your account.

The PayPal website stated that you can withdraw PayPal funds to both Visa and MasterCard cards but the official blog stated that the new withdrawal function is only available to Visa-branded cards. But I believe MasterCard cards will be supported soon.

Each withdrawal cost $5 USD. Minimum withdrawal amount is $10 USD (check other currency limits). Maximum withdrawal amount per day is $500 USD. The processing time takes 5-7 business days.

My two cents

This is a great news for those “PayPal Limited Functionality Countries” such as Malaysia. We have waited for this for years! Ever since PayPal started accepting Malaysian registrations in 2004, PayPal funds withdrawal was a feature we always asked for.

Malaysians local PayPal funds withdrawal functionality was promised in the Ebay Explained 2006. I am glad that they cashed their promise now.

[hat tip: jimmychin, Wayne Liew, KennyP, Rammel Firdaus, Zaiful Zin, and enches]

Now You Can Withdraw PayPal Money to Debit, Credit Cards is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

Image: Shopify Marketplace search

Shopify Marketplace is a Web 2.0 style product search. It returns products from Shopify shops according to your keyword. It support common search engine queries, such as “quotes” and -”exclude terms”. Related tags, product type, and vendors are listed in sidebar. There is a slide bar allowing you to set the price range. I like it!

For Mac users, there is a Shopify Marketplace widget for your dashboard.

Promote in Shopify Marketplace

To get your products included in the Shopify Marketplace, you only need to login your shop administration site, goto Marketing tab and activate the “Access Shopify Marketplace” under Online Promotion. It is a free service.

No more free lunch?

Shopify improved a lot and added many features (read their blog), however, now it charge for monthly fee. The Basic account is $24 USD per month.

Anyway, it is worth to try out Shopify if you want to sell stuff online but know nothing about online shopping technology. Plus, now your shop gets more exposure with the launch of Shopify Marketplace.

Anyone use Shopify? Please share your experience.

shopping, ecommerce, shopify

Shopify Marketplace is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

eBay Allows Video Link in Seller Listings is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.