FEATURE ARTICLE

Understanding click fraud

Click fraud is becoming a hot issue in the online marketing industry. As the popularity of pay per click advertising increases, competitors can create fraudulent clicks to increase costs for paid search advertisers. Learn about how you can detect click fraud and what the engines are doing to prevent it.

MonsterDataPort v5.0 Release Update

Following a successful Beta test, the new version of MonsterDataPort v5.0 has been scheduled for release on April 24th.

Thanks to all users who participated in the Beta test for DataPort v5.0. We could not have done it without you.

Some of the improvements in version 5.0 include:

• All new user interface
• Ability to import state/province tax and ZIP tax
• Option to work offline
• At-a-glance results using a new and improved import wizard
• Ability to send and receive data to and from your store

Check out the new and improved DataPort, and find release notes on the KnowledgeBase site. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting new release!

Save time with MonsterCommerce Technical Specialists
Do you need to get your site up and running in a hurry? The technical services team offers a wide range of helpful services, from consultative training to product imports. If you're faced with a tight deadline for getting your store live or just need some guidance in one area, the technical services team can assist you. Call 1-800-353-6582 for more information.

Congratulations to March's MonsterSellers
The MonsterSeller Award medal is given to merchants who sell a specified number of products through their MonsterMarketplace store listing within the month. Listings are marked with a Platinum, Gold or Silver medallion. MonsterSellers for March.

MonsterMarketplace Merchant Spotlight Award
Congratulations to Ray Wooldridge, Vasilios Kalaitzidis and Robert Harris for their site, WingWorx.com. They were chosen to be recognized as March’s Merchant of the Month.

Take Five

Each month, we ask a different MonsterCommerce merchant the same five questions regarding their online business and its success.

This month's featured merchant is ClassicHostess.com ClassicHostess.com offers a complete line of entertainment essentials such as tableware, dinnerware, flatware, glassware and barware.

Owner: Chanie Retek

MonsterCommerce merchant since: February, 2005

Best-Selling Product:
Victorian Cream Cake Stand

1. What is your favorite feature about your site right now?
   We list approximately 200 items, and we're still adding. We represent manufacturers who produce the best qualities in their line.
   
   
2. What was one major obstacle to your store's success, and how did you overcome it?
   Shipping was too expensive. We offer now free ground shipping in the US. If it converts visitors into customers, we'll eat the cost on some items if the overall picture looks bright.
   
   
3. To what do you attribute most of your site's success?
   MonsterCommerce Web Promotion Services. It did take a while until we saw results but now we see it really paid off.
   
   
4. What is the best or most rewarding experience you've had so far selling online?
   Processing orders.
   
   
5. What web sites or online tools or resources would you not be able to live without?
   Monster Commerce Forums and MonsterDataPort
   

Industry News

• Google launches new calendar service
  The search engine has launched an online calendar service that has been talked about in blogs for over a year.
  
  
• Online retail sales will reportedly hit $100 Billion
  New report predicts major milestones in the e-commerce industry for 2006.
  
  
• Blog, Podcasts and RSS take off
  Advertisement spending for these online media forms is increasing. A recent report projects record spending over the next year.