Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to develop a WineAccess storefront?
A new store can complete the setup process within just a few weeks.
 
How do I keep my catalog fresh?
You can upload a new inventory file daily or have it automatically sent to WineAccess on a daily schedule.

Will WineAccess work with my POS system?
WineAccess will work with any POS system that has the ability to export a standard plain text file (called an ASCII file) readable by most computer editors and word processors.

Will my site have a custom look to it?
We work with each merchant to develop the look and feel that meets their satisfaction.

Can my store keep its current website address?
Yes.

How many employees will I have to pay to keep my site going?
Usually this requires only a fraction of a person’s time. We have stores in our network with online sales of over $1 million, where one employee does all the work for the online business in less than 20 hours per week.

How will new customers find my online store?
WineAccess processes thousands of wine searches per day for customers all over the country. As your products will appear in WineAccess search results, you are the beneficiary of all the WineAccess traffic.

Do I need to buy placements on Google?
No. WineAccess has an aggressive online marketing program that includes Google AdWords. Unless you are a highly trafficked wine site, joining the WineAccess network of retailers will improve your chances of being “found” on Google and other search engines.

How much will it cost me to join the WineAccess Network?
Our standard hosting charge for a storefront is $550 per month. WineAccess collects an ecommerce transaction fee for each order based on the purchase price, as well as new customer referral fees. Our store support representative will guide you through the pricing in your free consultation.

Am I charged for online sales to my existing customers?
No. You are never charged transaction fees for online orders placed by your existing customers.

Can joining the WineAccess network of retailers help me grow sales with existing customers?
Yes. In fact, some stores in WineAccess use our email newsletter tools primarily to create more loyalty with existing customers.

Does WineAccess provide expert tasting notes to merchandise my catalog?
Yes. There are thousands of wine reviews from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar and the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine in our database. So, if you carry a wine that has been reviewed by either publication, the expert review will automatically show up on the product detail page in your store.

What if the WineAccess database does not have a wine in the database that I sell?
Products in store catalogs that need to be added to the database can be flagged for our customer service representative to add.
 
Can I merchandise products with my own wine reviews?
Yes. Each merchant can add tasting notes that are exclusive to their site.

Is there storefront site reporting available?
Yes. We provide sales and customer reporting with each merchant account.

Can I sell products other than wine on my site?
Yes. Your store can sell spirits, gift baskets, glasses, sampler packs, and send coupons.

How many members are registered to WineAccess?
We have over 1040,000 registered wine enthusiasts at WineAccess today. The list is growing daily.

Does my WineAccess storefront replace my store's current online marketing campaign?
Perhaps. This is something you will want to discuss when you set up a free consultation.