MicroD launches iPreVue App: an iPad Application at High Point Market

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Hayley Leocha

Charlotte, NC (April 17th, 2012) – MicroD Inc. introduces a powerful iPad-based mobile application at the upcoming High Point Market for home furnishings. This application, branded as iPreVue App, is initially designed for the manufacturers’ sales representatives, providing them with a multitude of time-saving and revenue-generating tools to present and create product line-ups; to browse, configure and visualize products; and to place orders.

iPreVue App offers features for both case goods and upholstery manufacturers to represent their product catalogs on any version of Apple’s iPad. The high-resolution images and merchandising features in this application utilize MicroD’s exclusive fabric- and finish-draping as well as visualization capabilities consistent with the product displays found on world-class websites that use MicroD’s ePreVue and ePiphany platforms. iPreVue App is the only industry iPad application that supports both case goods and upholstery catalogs with dynamic fabric and finish visualization, providing ordering capabilities for both standard as well as highly-configurable custom products.

“Consistent with MicroD’s mission for providing leading-edge technology solutions for the home furnishings industry, we believe the iPreVue App brings substantial benefits in terms of time savings and ease of product line ups, product visualization and order placement—especially since many of the leading manufacturers’ representatives are now equipped with mobile devices like iPhones, iPads or other tablet devices,” said Manoj Nigam, President and CEO of MicroD Inc. “This unique and robust application is a further example of MicroD’s commitment to the industry in continuing to develop and introduce comprehensive solutions as a technology partner for the furniture industry’s leading manufacturers and retailers.”

Among its many features, iPreVue App will allow sales representatives to select manufacturer-authorized retailers, browse and visualize items, add items to purchase orders for those retailers, review order histories, add notes, and bookmark items for later review. Additionally they will be able quickly to email tear sheets and product information pages, conform to manufacturer rules for merchandising and order minimums, add new customer information, and manage current customer information: all while seamlessly integrating with the manufacturer’s ERP or management information system.

Because iPreVue App is a native iPad application, sales representatives are able to use the application with or without an Internet connection. Once the user has an Internet connection, the stored order information and notes can be transmitted to the manufacturer and emailed to the retailer.
After iPreVue App’s initial introduction at the High Point Market, MicroD expects to have a full production version of iPreVue App operating in many of the manufacturer showrooms at this summer’s home furnishings’ Las Vegas Market. Additionally, MicroD’s longer range plans are to offer iPreVue App as a merchandising tool for retailers.

About MicroD
MicroD delivers the expertise, technology, and services to transform your online presence and drive customers to your stores. We create premier websites for the furniture industry. For more than 20 years, MicroD has led the way with innovative furniture merchandising solutions. That’s why more than 85% of the top 100 furniture brands and retailers rely on MicroD.

MicroD Incorporated is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and also maintains offices in Hickory, NC. For more information, visit www.microdinc.com.

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GEEK SPEAK: What’s a “Bounce Rate”? by Meghan Wier

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Hayley Leocha

I found this very easy explanation about what Bounce Rate is today: http://blog.kissmetrics.com/bounce-rate/

WAIT!!

Don’t click that yet. You will be recorded as a “bounce” on my analytics – and I can’t have that. Just cut and paste that link and go back later.

You see, Bounce Rate is based on how many people enter a site, and then leave before they go to the next page. This is an important metric, because truly interested people will navigate through a site before they click off. The higher the bounce rate, the less effective your site is.

As a site owner, you will want to develop ways to get your site visitors to experience several pages on your site, because the longer they stay, the more qualified they are.

You can do this with a compelling message, great product, and an aesthetically pleasing site.

Now – go read some more about bounce rates by pasting that link into your browser.

QUESTION:
What program do you use to monitor your analytics?

Meghan Wier, Director of Web Projects & Search Engine Marketing at MicroD, is a Search Engine Optimization expert who has been active in the field for over 10 years – or at least before most people knew what that term meant!

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GEEK SPEAK: SEO vs SEM, What it all means and Now What? by Meghan Wier

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Hayley Leocha

Technology terms are often misunderstood and misused — often by the very people who should know better. The terms SEO and SEM for example could mean very different things, and yet sometimes we use them interchangeably.

SEO is search engine optimization. That means optimizing a website to be search engine friendly and with the intent to increase the placement of that site on the Internet.

SEM is search engine marketing. That mean anything you do that promotes a website online. Posting a link to Facebook could be considered SEM. Sending an electronic press release could be considered SEM. And most confusingly… SEO can be considered SEM.

As I work with furniture retailers I am struck at how desperate they are to achieve high ranking for terms like “Name Your Town Here, Furniture.” The problem is they have no idea how to make that happen. The answer is most certainly SEM. But it needs to be strategic.

Google and the other search engines primarily want to get the right people to the right sites. They lose all credibility as a search engine if the results they display for ”Name Your Town Here, Furniture” show pages of sites that don’t provide the answer the user is looking for. So they look for the most credible sites based on a grading system called an algorithm.

The algorithm for each search engine is different, and the search engines also tend to change these equations to make them better. That is why people can make entire careers out of search engine optimization.

While this is highly complex and the target is constantly shifting — many SEO and SEM techniques are going to universally work in your favor. The first one is simple… say what you do.

So the first SEM tip I will share with you is this: Look at your homepage. Does your homepage say what town you are in? Now does it say “furniture”? Does it have those two things together?

You would be surprised how many sites do not… but let’s assume yours does. Count them.

Now go into Google and type in ”Name Your Town Here, Furniture.”

Click on the number one spot and count how many times they said ”Name Your Town Here, Furniture.”

If you are not on your own site counting right now….you need to figure out how to say ”Name Your Town Here, Furniture” at least as many times as they do!

That is a great first step! Now see where you rank and go write that down someplace… and then check it again next week when we will have another tip!

QUESTION:
What strategies are you implementing to help your business with SEM?

Meghan Wier, Director of Web Projects & Search Engine Marketing at MicroD, is a Search Engine Optimization expert who has been active in the field for over 10 years – or at least before most people knew what that term meant!

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Fab Friday with Dana Helms

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Hayley Leocha

Simplifying Fabulous! with Social Media Maven, Dana Helms
Reprinted with the permission of Robin Baron, Simplifying Fabulous

ABOUT  Dana Helms is a social media guru!  Working as a Client Service Account Manager for MicroD, she helps people and companies make sure they are getting the best bang for their buck for their marketing solutions.  For the last year and a half she has been concentrating on ePiphany, MicroD’s our website platform. But this technology expert has now expanded into the home decor and furniture industry, helping clients in the home decor and furnishings industry convert imagination into reality. AND She has recently become the first Vice President of Social Media at WithIt, a group whose mission is to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunity for professional women in the home and furnishings industries. What a way to pave the way for the history of social media and home decor!

MicroD eblast announcement:

Robin Baron: What do you love most about what you do?
Dana Helms: Bringing the latest and greatest technology to the home and furnishings industry.  Staying on top of what is new and finding better ways for clients to promote their products online is energizing. I like to get customers excited and proud of their sites! Not to mention furniture markets! I have been to many furniture markets from High Point to Vegas and by far that is one thing I love about my job.  Visiting face to face with clients is priceless, especially since we service manufacturers and retailers all over the US and in other countries.  The showrooms are a bonus too! I love going to furniture markets to get ideas and see all the great products vendors are showing.  Designers get a lot of respect from me when I see a showroom that has been tirelessly worked on from dawn till dusk for us to enjoy. They inspire me to ensure I make my home my own.  When I can I take as many pictures as possible so I can use their great ideas for my own home.

RB: What in your work are you most proud of?
DH: I have just celebrated my 6th year with MicroD and I am proud to have been part of such a dynamic team and such creative people.  I am also proud of my personal development, please don’t think that is being cocky, but I started out in this company knowing just enough to be able to call a client and talk to them about furniture and how to put fabric on a frame on the computer. I can now train clients on management of website, learned technology terms that I am not sure if I stayed in the retail business I would have had the opportunity to learn.  Personal investment is key in your growth with a company and I firmly believe you should never stop growing and learning. The saying “You can’t teach and old dog new tricks” means nothing to me!

RB: What’s inspiring you now?
DH: I have a few things that are going on right now that I am excited about and inspiring me. Currently MicroD is growing and we have a few new talented folks that are brining fresh new ideas to the table.  I like a fresh outlook on things when you have been at something for a while. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes or a new way of thinking is what you need. Sometimes it’s a reminder of the things you knew all along and just needed to have that tapped into.  Our clients inspire me! I like to share my technology knowledge with them and help them grow their business with the ideas I present.  Just like a home a website needs to be refreshed and reworked.

Just think of your retail, design or manufacturer site like you would your house. When you get bored with something you clean it out. You may reuse something in another room or you may get rid of it all together.  That makes room for a new look.  In your home, you change a picture, repaint, and reupholster, or go in search for new accessories. The same rules apply on your website and you need to do the same thing.  Update images on the home page, change the text to be something relevant on the home page as often as once or twice a month so your customers know where to find you, what they can find there and what your company is about.  Just like your home you want to inspire people. The home page of your website should do that. Capture the customer to turn them into that brick and mortar customer.

RB: How would you describe your own home décor?
DH: Comfortable.  I like our home to be a representation of our family. We love to gather in the living room for games, movies and snuggling. We like warm colors. Brown, greens and dark woods. When we shop for furniture I like the designers that have worked in the showrooms to have picked and placed everything that I want to buy together. Basically if a vignette catches my eye we will go with the whole thing!  A sofa, loveseat, and tables.  Just keep in mind if we are buying living room furniture that must match the recliner. If the rug is right I am taking that too!  And I have to give the credit to my husband he actually has a really good eye for what looks good and what does not.  I am just along for the ride.

RB: What design elements in your home have you personalized?
DH: Our personal signature in our home I would have to say is our walls. We have painted them to be warm rich colors. When we first got the townhouse we actually came in 3 days before we were due to move in (with permission) so we could paint everything we wanted first before we moved it. It had to be perfect before we would put any furniture in it. So my husband, the kids and I stayed here till all hours of the night to get the house painted so it would be just right.  We are those people that bring in fabric samples, take home paint samples, get a little bit of paint, test it on the wall…. Then we buy! I love painting but something’s are better just right the first time.

RB: What do you love most about your home and why?
DH: I truly believe décor is the key to a good home.  For us I just love that our house is ours.  It’s functional, not over decorated, and its comfortable. I always wanted a house to be the place the kids want to come and eat and fellowship and our home is that place. We have a large loft upstairs that the kids come too and can play games, video and board games.  Pictures are key to our house. I love walking in and seeing my family everywhere.

RB: What is the one thing in your home that everyone always comments on?
DH: When someone views the home from the outside they don’t know all the space inside. When folks visit they come in and see all the space 2200 sq ft. and its open and airy.  Walking in the home you walk into the kitchen that has a huge cut out that you can see through to the dining room and the living room. I like the open concept because I like to be in the kitchen, but I like to be involved with my family and friends when they visit.

Want to see more?  MicroD just launched a new web site, It has been a few years since we updated our own website.  We have been busy taking care of everyone else’s.  www.microdinc.com

> all images courtesy of Dana Helms.

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MicroD Launches New Corporate Website

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Hayley Leocha

MicroD Inc. has launched a new corporate website(www.microdinc.com) that allows current and prospective clients the ability to learn how MicroD’s various solutions are helping furniture retailers and manufacturers close sales and increase revenue.

With over 20 years experience in the furniture and technology industries, MicroD Inc. helps our clients transform their website imagination into a reality. Refining our corporate website allows us to educate visitors on how our products and services can drive traffic to stores and increase sales.

The new corporate website also showcases the company’s updated brand identity, color scheme, and tag line – Converting Imagination into Reality!

If interested in more MicroD information, email solutions@microdinc.com

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Furniture Marketers Seize Online Merchandising Advancements of ePiphany™

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Hayley Leocha

More than 150 Retailers and Brands Quickly Embrace Ground-Breaking Web Marketing Platform Designed to Convert More Online Shoppers into In-Store Buyers

July 15, 2011 – Charlotte, NC — MicroD Incorporated announces that more than 150 furniture retailers and brands have moved to its ePiphany™ Internet marketing platform since its recent introduction. The ground-breaking solution enables home furnishings marketers to extend their retail merchandising strategies to the Internet and empowers online shoppers with a superior shopping experience. The ePiphany solutions are used by a wide range of international, national, and regional dealers and brands; including England Furniture, Gates Furniture, Kittles Furniture, Klaussner Home Furnishings, Massoud Furniture, WG&R Furniture, Woodstock Furniture Outlet, and numerous retail members of the Furniture First™ purchasing cooperative. These companies join the more than 700 others that count on MicroD for a comprehensive range of furniture and home furnishings merchandising solutions and services.

According to Steven McLendon, Senior Vice President of Strategic Sales, “We are very pleased with the swift and positive reaction that the market is having to ePiphany. With the vast majority of today’s shoppers using the web to make key product and store decisions, progressive retailers and brands are working to improve their ability to engage and inspire these soon-to-be customers earlier in the process. ePiphany enables furniture companies to merchandise and promote their products and services online like never before.”

ePiphany enables marketers to recreate highly effective retail floor gallery displays online. Search engine optimization and business intelligence tools built into the platform also provide them with valuable information on specific consumer interests and buying trends. ePiphany empowers online shoppers with recommendations for professionally coordinated furniture accessories, visual fabric and finish customization tools, integrated email and social media, and complete product, promotion, and store location information.

“In addition to all the new ePiphany capabilities, executives and managers like that we bundle the creative site design, catalog content and updates, website hosting, and everything else they need to ensure an effective online presence for a low monthly fee”, continued McLendon. “The payoff can be game-changing. Numerous ePiphany customers are already reporting a significant increase in sales leads, better-qualified store traffic, and larger ticket sizes. That’s why many furniture companies see the Internet and ePiphany as their greatest new location opportunity.”

About MicroD

For more than 20 years, MicroD has been the leader in online and in-store furniture merchandising solutions. More than 85% of the top 100 furniture retailers and brands count on MicroD software and services to engage and inspire consumers through visually stunning and informative websites and product catalogs. Customers include Ashley, Bacons, Bassett, Best Home Furnishings, Broyhill, Century, Clayton Marcus, Craftmaster, Doerr, Drexel Heritage, Ethan Allen, Flexsteel, Furniture First, Gates, Henredon, Hickory Chair, Hooker, Key Home Furnishings, Kincaid, Klaussner, Lane, La-Z-Boy, Lexington, Rowe, Sherrill, and Surya Rug.

In addition to its flagship ePiphany web-based merchandising and business intelligence solution, the company also offers the ePreVue online product presentation and analytics, PreVue electronic product catalog, EasyPlan room planning and visualization, EasyOrder customer order configuration, EasySwatch sample swatch maintenance, and exim commerce edi software solutions.

MicroD is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina with additional offices in Hickory, NC. For more information, visit http://www.microdinc.com.
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ePiphany is a trademark of MicroD Incorporated.

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Does Your Website Have What it Takes?

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Hayley Leocha

does your website have what it takes

As furniture shoppers increasingly rely on the Internet to make key buying decisions, progressive furniture retailers and marketers are discovering new and better ways to engage and inspire these soon-to-be customers. Even though most companies already have attractive websites, recent advancements in online merchandising have opened up important new opportunities for furniture marketers to convert more online shoppers into in-store buyers.

That’s just one of the many reasons why more than 150 furniture companies have moved up to MicroD’s ePiphany website solution in the past 6 months. These companies join the more than 700 others that count on MicroD for a comprehensive range of furniture and home furnishings merchandising solutions and services.

Latest Website Innovations

ePiphany enables home furnishings marketers to extend their most effective retail merchandising strategies to the Internet like never before. With convenient and powerful shopping tools, it provides your prospects with a superior user experience.
  • Move Beyond Single Product Displays with Compelling Online Furniture Gallery Presentations
  • Combine Furniture with Professionally Coordinated Accessories to Inspire Shoppers and Increase Sales
  • Gain Valuable Insight into Customer-Specific Product Interests and Emerging Buying Trends
  • Empower Shoppers with Powerful Room Planning and Upholstery/Finish Visualization Tools
  • Integrate Email and Social Media Tools to Connect with Shoppers and Help Them Share with Friends
  • Simplify and Save with a Single Source for Website Design, Hosting, Content Management, and more

Visit Example Client Sites

Need Information Now?

Call 800-964-3876 or Email us now to learn more about how we can help improve your website.

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Lexington Teams with MicroD to Create State-of-the-Art Website for Henry Link

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Hayley Leocha

Lexington Home Brands worked with MicroD to design and build a visually-rich and informative online merchandising solution for its new Henry Link Trading Co. brand. The website leverages advanced merchandising tools to communicate the brand’s story, inspire consumer demand, and drive sales.

September 26, 2011 – Charlotte, NC — MicroD Incorporated, in partnership with Lexington Home Brands, has launched an innovative new website and online marketing solution for the new Henry Link Trading Co.® lifestyle furniture brand. Powered by the advanced ePiphany™ online furniture merchandising platform, the new website (http://www.henrylink.com) treats online furniture shoppers to an unparalleled user experience with visually-rich and informative product and gallery presentations, high-definition video, room planning, and upholstery customization capabilities. Lexington believes the new website will inspire consumer demand and drive sales at dealer locations worldwide.

According to Robert Stamper, Lexington Senior Vice President of Marketing, “We are very pleased with the online debut of our exciting new Henry Link Trading Co. Because this is a brand whose passion lies in the discovery of unique and inspiring furniture designs from every corner of the globe, we chose a website partner who could effectively deliver that distinctive destination experience to the consumer. MicroD gave us the fresh perspective in website design and product presentation that we needed to enable consumers to see and appreciate these exclusive product details and engage with the brand and our retailers.”

Henry Link Trading Co. is comprised of signature pieces hand selected by an experienced team of well-traveled designers and collectors. To communicate the brand’s compelling story and rich legacy, ePiphany provides exclusive multi-product displays, integrated email and social media, advanced search and navigation tools, and other leading-edge website capabilities that make it possible for Lexington to interact with online shoppers like never before. MicroD provides site design, catalog content and updates, website hosting, and maintenance services through a convenient, managed services subscription. Retailers are also able to display this innovative and exclusive Henry Link website embedded inside their own website.

“We are pleased with the opportunity to work with Lexington on such a creative and rewarding project”, noted Manoj Nigam, President and CEO at MicroD. “The Henry Link website represents the state-of-the-art technology for Furniture websites and online merchandising. It is a striking example of how advanced design and functionality can work together to inspire consumers online.”

About Lexington Home Brands

Lexington Home Brands is a global manufacturer and marketer of distinctive home furnishings, and an industry leader in innovative design and lifestyle marketing. The company’s award-winning product line of wood and upholstered furniture encompasses a wide range of designs and styles, with recognized brands like Lexington®, Tommy Bahama Home® and Henry Link Trading Co. ®

Lexington Home Brands is headquartered in High Point, NC, with showroom facilities in High Point and Las Vegas. Founded in 1903, Lexington Home Brands is one of the most respected companies in the industry, having built a reputation for design leadership and exceptional value. The company is privately-held by Sun Capital Partners, Inc. based in Boca Raton, FL. For more information, visit http://www.lexington.com.

About MicroD

For more than 20 years, MicroD has been the leader in online and in-store furniture merchandising solutions. More than 85% of the top 100 furniture retailers and brands count on MicroD software and services to engage and inspire consumers through visually stunning and informative websites and product catalogs. Customers include Ashley, Bacons, Bassett, Best Home Furnishings, Broyhill, Century, Clayton Marcus, Craftmaster, Doerr, Drexel Heritage, Ethan Allen, Flexsteel, Furniture First, Gates, Henredon, Hickory Chair, Hooker, Key Home Furnishings, Kincaid, Lane, La-Z-Boy, Lexington, Rowe, Sherrill, and Surya Rug.

In addition to its flagship ePiphany web-based merchandising and business intelligence solution, the company also offers the ePreVue online product presentation and analytics, PreVue electronic product catalog, EasyPlan room planning and visualization, EasyOrder customer order configuration, EasySwatch sample swatch maintenance, and exim commerce edi software solutions.

MicroD is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and also maintains offices in Hickory, NC. For more information, visit http://www.microdinc.com.

————–

Henry Link Trading Co. is a registered trademark Lexington Home Brands
ePiphany is a trademark of MicroD Incorporated.

 


 

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2011 Home Furnishings Industry Conference Adds Four New Industry Leaders as Partners

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Hayley Leocha

Aspenhome, FurnitureDealer.net, MicroD, and Serta Align Themselves with the All Industry Conference

Roseville, Calif.—WHFA and NHFA, along with their affiliates, have announced four new industry partners for the 2011 Home Furnishings Industry Conference (HFIC) scheduled for April 30–May 2, 2011 at the Westin River Walk in San Antonio, Tex. Aspenhome, FurnitureDealer.net, MicroD and Serta have aligned themselves with this first-of-its-kind industry event that will bring together different knowledge, skills and resources from each sector of the home furnishings industry and show the true power of partnerships.

“Looking to 2011 and beyond, the opportunities for retailers and suppliers to network and partner will provide significant and needed synergies,” added Howard Haimsohn, owner of Lawrance Contemporary and HFIC Committee Chair. “Today, more than ever, our industry demands that the entire supply chain work together to bring design, value and service to the end consumer. The 2011 Home Furnishings Industry Conference will provide a great forum for partnering opportunities to be explored. At the 2011 HFIC, suppliers and retailers can engage with each other and share ideas, knowledge and a vision for improving our industry.”

These industry leaders join the continually growing list of other partners which includes: California Furniture Manufacturers Association, Home Furnishings Business magazine, Interior Design Society, International Home Furnishings Representative Association, National Home Furnishings Association, Southeastern Home Furnishings Association, Southern Home Furnishings Association, Western Home Furnishings Association and World Market Center Las Vegas.

The highly anticipated Home Furnishings Industry Conference has an energizing agenda geared to help retailers move their business into the future through workshops, general sessions, open forums, and a dynamic Expo with over 40 vendors from around the country. Home Furnishings Industry Conference partners receive additional benefits of increased visibility before during and after the event, co-host status, a comprehensive marketing campaign specifically highlighting their participation, as well as registration incentives for their members and colleagues.

“Aligning with the 2011 Home Furnishings Industry Conference demonstrates a level of commitment to the entire industry that is unmistakable,” said WHFA Events Director, Cindi Williams. “The 2011 HFIC partners are leaders in the industry who are ready to embrace the challenges that businesses face today. These partners are ready to put their knowledge, experience and vast talents to work keeping the entire industry united in a common cause—success for all.”

“It is far too seldom that the various segments in the Home Furnishings Industry are provided a chance to truly share and brainstorm together,” Haimsohn added. “Being a partner at the 2011 HFIC will provide your company with the opportunity to learn, share and help our industry move forward into tomorrow. This is the one educational and networking opportunity that you don’t want to miss.”

Retail members of WHFA, NHFA, all of the affiliates and designated partners can take advantage of the great buy one, get one free deal. One registration of $495 must be purchased and the second person can attend for free. Additional registrations for other team members are only $199 each. This makes it easy for businesses to bring multiple people from their store and learn even more valuable tools for business.

If you are interested in participating as a sponsor or partner of this event, contact Cindi Williams, WHFA, at cwilliams@whfa.org or (916) 960-0277. For more information about the Home Furnishings Industry Conference, visit www.homefurnishingsconference.com.

About WHFA, NHFA and Affiliates
The Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) is the largest affiliate of the NHFA, representing approximately 1,000 independent home furnishings retailers in more than 2,400 stores in 12 western states.

National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) is the nation’s largest organization devoted specifically to the needs and interests of home furnishings retailers. NHFA’s membership comprises 2,800 corporate entities representing 10,000 stores in all 50 states and several foreign countries.

Aspenhome
aspenhome™ has evolved over the past 31 years from a small family owned home entertainment business based in Phoenix to a full line furniture company specializing in thoughtfully designed innovative products for the way people work, play and relax at home. Recognized as a resource for functional family furniture, the aspenhome™ collection includes bedroom, dining, home office, home entertainment, stationary and motion leather seating, and occasional furnishings.

California Furniture Manufacturers Association

FurnitureDealer.net
The company operates more than 500 home furnishings websites designed to help consumers find big ticket furniture, mattress, appliance and electronics products online and buy through local retail stores. The company’s clients include 25 of the 150 largest independent furniture retailers in North America and five of the industry’s largest suppliers. FurnitureDealer.net is the premiere Click-to-Store™ expert in the home furnishings industry, helping retailers and manufacturers implement successful multi-channel growth strategies that convert online furniture shoppers into local in-store buyers. FurnitureDealer.net provides world class websites with detailed product catalogs, product content management, search engine optimization, email marketing, sales training and channel integration consulting.

Home Furnishings Business
Home Furnishings Business provides relevant content that matters to home retail professionals. Our current delivery options include a business & strategy magazine, a daily newsletter, a website with both aggregated and original content, a continuing webinar series, and the Furniture Forum seminar program.

Interior Design Society (IDS)
Based in High Point, NC, Interior Design Society fills an important niche in the residential interior design community. IDS is the trade association that recognizes and assists specialists in all walks of residential interior design, even those men and women who might not have a four-year degree in Interior Design.

International Home Furnishings Reps Association (IHFRA)
IHFRA provides education, professional standards and services, legislative advocacy and communications for our membership to remain a viable, responsive and financially secure organization.

MicroD
With MicroD retailers can present their products to prospective customers using in-store computers or their websites; enable consumers to pre-shop for products; and when they are ready to buy, validate and pass orders to the retailer’s business system; then transmit those orders via the Internet to the manufacturer using exim commerce edi services.

Pacific Furniture Dealers
West Coast buying group comprised of 60 independent furniture retailers, usually dominant or close in their Pacific Northwest communities, hitting popular price points.

Serta
Serta is proud to be the manufacturer of the World’s Beat Mattress TM. Our commitment to quality has made us a leader in the industry, and we look forward to helping you find the right mattress so you can get a better night’s sleep for years to come.

World Market Center Las Vegas
World Market Center Las Vegas is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex. The state-of-the-art campus showcases furniture, decorative accessories, gift, lighting, area rugs, home textiles and related segments. World Market Center currently hosts the biannual Las Vegas MarketTM, the preeminent total home market along with Gift + HomeTM and Vegas KidsTM.

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MicroD Launches ePiphany2 Websites

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Hayley Leocha

Article adapted from October 11, 2011 FurnitureToday by Gary Evans

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Retail technology provider MicroD launches a new platform for websites at the October High Point Market. The ePiphany2 websites are designed to turn furniture lookers into buyers.

The company said the new ePiphany2 features advanced search engine optimization techniques to bring potential customers to a website. It also will inspire and engage customers to interact with the website by helping them see various fabrics and finishes on product, and viewing coordinated accessories such as rugs and sofas, officials said.

ePiphany2 custom fabric draping

ePiphany2 Fabric Customization

The platform is compatible with Facebook, Twitter and QR codes. The product pages will display well on iPad and mobile devices including iPhone, Android and Windows phones.

In addition, retailers will be able to build and manage private catalogs and product groups and will be able to add, modify and delete products and groupings. Product groups can include multiple manufacturers so consumers can see furniture, rugs and accessories on the same page. When a consumer selects a sofa and fabrics for visualization, a selection of coordinated accessories may also be offered and can be inserted into the image. This will put dealers in a better position to upsell consumers when they come into the stores, the company said.

The ePiphany2 platform also provides geo-targeted marketing. Buyers researching local furniture stores can contact the store about products that catch their eye. Most of these sales leads are local, but a few Internet shoppers sometimes find sites out of their trading area. A new feature will allow retailers to filter out ZIP codes not in their trading area, giving them more time to spend on local buyer leads.

In addition, MicroD is offering its Master Product Catalog (MPCat) Online software, a catalog building and maintenance tool, to manufacturers. The Web-based platform allows manufacturers to create product catalogs using an online interface and to make them available to the appropriate retailers,correctly representing their products on retailers’ websites hosted by MicroD. This enables manufacturers to monitor how their products are performing by having access to data such as number of views and time spent by consumers on the Web pages of specific product units.

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