Friday's Presentation 5-23
Submitted by Barry_G on Sat, 05/24/2008 - 14:57.
Hi Jeremy
I brought up the idea of using a coffee cup in your product (hero) shot to give the viewer an idea of the actual size of the note pad, being that its small size is a big selling point (I assume).
As you know, this would be easy to achieve via p-shop or fireworks. (maybe a coffee cup wasn't the best idea, a pen or calculator may have been better).
Here is my point / question.
How do you plan on minimizing the possibility of prospects using your site to gather great information, then going to say, Best Buy to actually SEE the product, and buying it from the store?
Thanks in advance
Barry
There's nothing you can do
There's nothing you can do to stop someone from buying a product offline. The good news is that most of the laptops I'm promoting on this site are hard to find offline - at least from BestBuy and other large consumer electronic retailers (with a few exceptions - e.g. MacBook Air).
The only thing you can do is make sure your offer is more compelling. Price, convenience, and incentives can all work to keep the customer loyal to your site. It's also helpful to provide as much information as possible on your site so they don't feel the need to go check it out at their local store.
Let me share a real world scenario with you... While I was in San Jose last week I went to a local computer retailer. I checked out the Asus EEE for a hands on demo. After spending 10 minutes on it I realized it was just a toy/novelty and not intended for serious use. The keyboard is so small that only a kid can use it effectively. I literally read hundreds of reviews of the product online, and most of them failed to mention this. There was no way I could have "tested" the product online. I had to see it for myself. Even if I decided to buy the computer, I would have had to pay 8% sales tax. If I had decided to buy it on Amazon I could have had it in two days, and not paid sales tax.
Sometimes convenience alone is enough to keep them online... See this post from 2005 to see why I don't do a lot of offline shopping anymore - http://www.quityourdayjob.com/node/1363
Yep, I hate shopping at Best
Yep, I hate shopping at Best Buy and make a point of avoiding them at all costs now. And for some reason, my CC never goes through their machine properly - they always have to punch the number in manually and do one of those old-fashioned imprints for the receipt. It's funny that they're the only establishment that has problems with my CC.
I think if you can really emphasize the convenience factor of purchasing online such as no sales tax were applicable, free shipping and/or to you door delivery of heavy and bulky items that you don't want to schlep home in your car, you may just tip the scales in your favor. It also doesn't hurt to really value add to the experience with quality reviews, buyer's guides, etc.
Rich
Thanks JeremyGood points.I
Thanks Jeremy
Good points.
I personally can't stand shopping at Best Buy.
While I am contemplating a different, non-electronic niche, the same scenario (fear of mall madness) could apply in my favor also. Must make a note to play on that angle when appropriate.
If the clerks weren't trained (forced) to ask so many darn questions at the register, the lines would probably move twice as fast wouldn't they.
Great Christmas story by the way, I can truly relate. - LOL
Keep up the great work!
Barry
$%$%$%$%$%$%$%$
Go'in Deep This Time Up!!