Institute for Healthy Living launches Facebook shopping site using tools from CommerceV3

June 9, 2011 - PRLog -- (SAVANNAH, GA)  The Institute for Healthy Living (IHL), an online vitamin and supplement company, is launching a Facebook shopping site using tools provided by CommerceV3 (CV3), a multi-channel e-commerce platform provider.  Visitors to the IHL fan page can browse, search and shop the entire IHL catalog of products without leaving Facebook.  http://www.commercev3.com/  http://www.facebook.com/IHLonline

As Shana Whitener, IHL’s Marketing Director, explains, “Our main goal on Facebook is to build community--to provide as much information to consumers as possible about our vitamins and supplements--and also give them the convenience of one-stop shopping while they’re on Facebook.”

ShopIHL.com has enjoyed a long, fruitful relationship with CV3, selling millions of dollars in health and wellness products via CV3 e-commerce software since 2006.  As CV3 began offering new social marketing components, IHL decided to add this innovative channel to its marketing efforts.

Kevin Whitehurst, IHL’s Web Master, adds that the CV3 staff have worked hard to ensure that the Facebook fanpage works smoothly and effectively.  “Blake [Ellis, CV3 Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer] helped us figure out how to make the site function the way it’s supposed to,” he says.  “We feel comfortable that CV3 can help us work out any potential snags along the way.”

Ellis is confident this new way of interacting with consumers will help CV3’s customers grow: “Facebook has over seven million users, and many want to shop for products while still on the site.  We’re excited to offer this functionality to our customers, which we feel will help them drive more orders as well as generate brand buzz.”

In addition to its product line, ShopIHL.com also provides on-line health information.  As Whitener explains, “Dr. Jan McBarron, a certified medical and naturopathic physician, works closely with IHL’s trained staff, providing doctor’s recommendations for various health questions on ShopIHL.com and our Facebook page.  Dr. McBarron, famous as one half of 'The Duke and the Doctor,' the number one health talk radio show in the country, helps ensure that consumers get the appropriate vitamin and supplement recommendations for their specific health issues.  If they aren’t yet ready to purchase a product, our Facebook page increases their engagement with us, improving the relationship and building loyalty.  That makes us unique in the online health industry: using social media not just as a selling tool, but also to to engage our audiences with one another and provide articles, new studies and information about health.”

CommerceV3 has processed close to one billion dollars in sales and is one of the few e-commerce platforms that appeals to merchants both large and small.  A hosted e-commerce platform with serious power for serious merchants, CV3 is secure, reliable, scalable and 100 percent customizable.  With no transaction or bandwidth fees and unlimited sku counts, you have the freedom to take your online storefront to new heights.

For more information about CommerceV3, contact Katherine Oxnard Ellis at pr@commercev3.com, 888-544-2211 or visit http://www.commercev3.com/.  For more information about Institute for Healthy Living, please contact Shana Whitener at SWhitener@ihlonline.com, 866-746-7445 or visit http://www.shopihl.com/.

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CommerceV3 is a hosted e-commerce platform with serious power for serious merchants. Secure, reliable, scalable and 100% customizable, with no transaction or bandwidth fees and unlimited sku counts, CV3 takes your online storefront to new heights.