EBay Pushes More Integration With ProStores

EBay is pushing to do more to integrate the flagship auction site and its Marketplaces products with ProStores, its online storefront software company. The effort to integrate ProStores is part of a broader effort to integrate its properties (i.e., eBay Classifieds).

ProStores, acquired by eBay five years ago, currently has “tens of thousands” of customers, who pay either $29.95 or $59.95 per month, depending on the service package. The majority of its customers come from eBay Direct, but the service also works with independent retailers. It competes with the likes of Amazon, as well as several boutique storefront providers that focus on local marketing, such as ShopCity.com.

A new version of the software has just been released that ProStores hopes to boost conversions and order size — the two currencies of online stores. The new version lets store owners “panelize” their content and turn promotions into graphical banners on the fly. Multiple promotions can be run at once.