Premium Services: Sponsor your site for enhanced placement in the Yahoo! Directory.

Is your online store already listed in Yahoo!'s directory of commercial web sites? Are you interested in an opportunity to increase your site's visibility in your category? In order to qualify as a Sponsored Site, your web site must currently appear in a "Business and Economy/Shopping and Services" or "Business and Economy/Business to Business" category of the Yahoo! Directory (as distinguished from Yahoo! Shopping). Sponsored Sites appear in a yellow-bordered box at the top of site listings in your category and are highlighted in the alphabetical list as well. Pricing and availability vary by category. Billing for most categories is in the $25-$300 range per month, and you can subscribe quickly via an easy online form.

Learn more about putting the Sponsored Sites program to work for you:



Yahoo! Experts: Your knowledge can help you connect with potential customers.

Here's a free opportunity to promote your business and tap into a community of potential customers by sharing your expertise. Yahoo! Experts is an easy-to-use online forum that connects folks who have questions with knowledgeable individuals who post answers. If you are a seasoned Yahoo! Store owner, consider signing up to share your experience in e-commerce with Yahoo! users around the world. Or, maybe your passion and know-how is best reflected in your retail niche -- whether it's arts and collectibles, hobbies and crafts, diet and fitness, or computers and electronics. Answer questions in one of these topic areas. Experts with positive user feedback can earn a front page "Featured Expert" spot.

Participate in Yahoo! Experts as a public service -- but keep in mind that it's a great chance to post your URL, build a reputation in your niche, and increase your online visibility.

Visit Yahoo! Experts.

Here's how to sign on as a Yahoo! Store Expert.

Merchant Spotlight: Seasonal selections from your Yahoo! Store colleagues.

Spring is just around the corner. We found great ways to celebrate the season with products from Yahoo! Stores. Here's our opinionated, unofficial collection of product pages for spring holidays and observances, all from top-service merchants:

St. Patrick's Day:
Lucky Leprechaun - all things Irish, from hats and caps to blankets and pillows.

Doyle's Gift Shop – hurry, there's a lucky shamrock sale going on now.

Spring Break:
It's All Greek to Me! - spring-break packages for the sorority sisters in your life.

Towels4u.com - colorful beach towels for fun in the sun.

Easter:
Pick Your Basket - beautiful Easter bunnies, chocolate eggs, and cute little duckies.

Basketweaver - make your own Easter basket with supplies, patterns, and kits.

Passover:
e-judaica.com - traditional gifts for a Passover celebration.

Shofar Judaica Online Store - seder plates, matzah trays, and more.

E-commerce on the Web: Links to sites, features, and stories.

BusinessWeek Online: A More Exceptional OneInAMillion

Web Site Makeover is a regular feature of BusinessWeek Online's e.biz section. Each month the editors select a specific web site for review by a professional web designer. The designer analyzes the site architecture and then suggests changes that enhance user experience or help achieve the site owner's business goals.

This month's column looks at OneInAMillion.com, a collectible timepieces business selling unique watches and clocks, decorated with Curious George, Madeline, and Mary Engelbreit graphics. The critique emphasizes the importance of intuitive navigation, clear communication, easy access to contact information, and suggests simple ways to improve the overall usability of this retail site. Now if only they knew about the Yahoo! Store platform.