Are you scaring away potential customers?
Since the launch of showtheplanet.com we have been regularly
inundated by sales pitches from Internet and technology firms
from all over the globe. We would think it a positive thing -
since the world is obviously finding us - except that its quite
apparent from most of the messages we've received that the
person on the other end of the phone (or fax, or e-mail) has no
idea what we're about. Even worse, most of these Internet
companies seem have no idea how to do business on the Internet.
Here are some actual examples of contact from sales people to
our office within the last month: <> Salesperson from an
internet company calls and leaves a message followed by 10
minutes of office background noise and conversations. Apparently
this person hadn't hung up the phone. This happened two days in
a row from the same person. <> Salesperson calls and introduces
their product. This product obviously has nothing in common with
what we do. We ask: "Have you been to our site?" They respond:
"Uh...no, but...." <> Salesperson from an Internet company
calls. We are interested and ask about pricing. The response:
"Uhh...Actually, this is my first day. Can I get my manager to
call you about that?" <> Salesperson from an Internet company
calls. We ask that information be e-mailed to us. They courier a
five pound information package to our office the next day. It
contains volumes of information about why they're such a
wonderful (public) company, but no detailed information on
prices or product. <> Similarly, we request pricing information
via e-mail from an Internet company. They respond with their own
five pound courier package. You guessed it. No information on
pricing. <> Salesperson from an Internet company calls and
introduces their product. We are interested in learning more and
request information be e-mailed to us. They call back three days
later and ask for our e-mail address. Our e-mail address and
contact information are prominently displayed on our site. These
examples wouldn't seem as absurd if the inquiries had come from
traditional firms not yet familiar with the Internet. But ALL of
these examples came from Internet firms (Many of them public
companies - Watch your money!). The leading edge of the dot com
economy? I think not. Of course there's always a bright side.
The more idiots out there trying to do business online, the less
competition for you. Here are three rules of thumb that, in our
not-so-humble opinion, can make or break your online sales. <>
Provide ALL the details of your product on your web site.
Include every possible detail and specification. Don't waste the
customer's time and they won't waste yours. The Internet is
about information on demand and the consumer is more demanding
than ever. <> Post your prices on your web site. I repeat. Post
your prices on your web site. Nobody wants to jump through hoops
to buy your product. Most potential customers won't inquire
about price unless your product is very specialized. <> Know
your product and your industry. If you're not an expert,
customers will see right through you. Simple? Absolutely. Yet
it's amazing how many companies have no clue. If you play by the
rules you will sell more. The Internet consumer can be very
generous to those who do.