In these days of every increasing demand and competition, there is a considerable choice available to the cautious consumer. People have the choice of various types of media, if they are looking to shop for any particular product.
Looking at the various types of media, we realise just how large the choices are for anyone venturing into buying or selling something. At the same time, there is the factor of convenience. It wasn't so long ago, when the customer either went to the shops, to buy, or looked in the local or national press, to browse through the classified and commercial advertisements.
Then came along the advent of radio and television, which provided a whole new concept in advertising. You could now sit comfortably at home, and listen to, or indeed see, advertisements for your favourite products. But this didn't provide a huge market in private individual advertising, due to the costs involved, although some local radio stations were able to provide so called 'small ads'.
It has been customary in the past, for someone wishing to sell a product, to advertise it in the local and national press. This continues today, as one only has to browse through the papers, and see thousands of adverts from private individuals.
In recent times, we have seen the evolution of the computer, as an additional source of advertising, and more and more people are turning to this method, as essentially it is one of the most convenient methods of placing an advert. It is also very easy for buyers to browse through the ads, or more specifically, type a word or phrase into a search engine, and save time in being directed straight to the object they are searching for.
But let's not be complacent about online advertising, either from the buyers or the seller's point of view. Those of us who run online shopping websites are responsible in ensuring that our customers get a clear and concise picture of exactly what they are entering into, when they open a webpage. It is our duty to provide people with the facts, particularly if they are entering into any online financial commitment. How often do you see the 'added extras' tucked away, after completing the initial registration details, or see an additional credit card fee charged? How often do you see an initial price, only to be weighted down with hidden extras? It is imperative in this day of high technology that the end user, that is, the customer, is provided with the full facts of a transaction, at the very beginning.
Starting off with a low or 'bargain' price is all well and good, if that price is the final price, but far too often we see the final price creep up with additional fees, charges, add ons, call it what you may. The responsibility lies with the vendor, to ensure that the price has no 'furry' edges, and is transparent. If there are taxes in addition to the price, we as vendors, should state so, from the very off. If there is postage and packaging, extra costs for additional services, or anything else, it needs to be stated at the beginning.
Keeping standards extremely high and not taking advantage of the speed in which online transactions pass from one page to the next, to reach the final destination, is an objective that many online businesses have adopted. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go, for many. Let's hope we will all, one day, maintain the standards that the general public deserve.
Paul Bryant is the Chairman of Wamee Ltd, a UK Online portal, for people to buy and sell almost anything. The website address is http://www.wamee.com. Wamee maintains a policy of transparency and clarity in every aspect.
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..Considering how fundamental they are to the publicist's trade,it's always... Read More
Let's say you've called a reporter with some ideas for... Read More
Just promoted to manager?Here's something you need to know.Whether you... Read More
Attention: Who Else Wants To Get Publicity Whenever You Want... Read More
Press reviews are a common and basic feature for surveying... Read More
Public Relations (or P.R.) is a wonderful, yet often overlooked... Read More
Think carefully! You're a department, division or subsidiary manager for... Read More
The Public Relations (PR) industry is responsible for creating and... Read More
I address this article to businesses, associations, non-profits and public... Read More
About a year ago I read a feature story in... Read More
What's a press release? This is generally a one page... Read More
What may be the more appropriate question is: What makes... Read More
Sometimes there seems to be no client news worthy of... Read More
Your public relations people are busy. The buzz is all... Read More
Ever wonder why papers devote a page or more to... Read More
Media management has become one of the strategic tools for... Read More
"Advertising is what you pay for. Publicity is what you... Read More
NOTE: Brad Phillips was a Producer for CNN's The Capital... Read More
Do editors of newspapers, magazines and online news sites really... Read More
Do you dream of being on Oprah Winfrey's television show?... Read More
You know that getting publicity is vital to the health... Read More
There's good news for public relations execs, marketing professionals and... Read More
Etymology is the study of the origins of words.As languages... Read More
You know, where you do something positive about the behaviors... Read More
Quite a bit, actually. Public relations helps business, non- profit... Read More
on demand house cleaning Arlington Heights ..Does it really make sense to bet your PR budget... Read More
The call came into my office and the voice on... Read More
You've heard "them" say it, haven't you?By "them" I mean... Read More
It's safe to say that we live in interesting times.... Read More
What's more crucial to the success of a business, non-profit... Read More
As the kids say, how cool is this?You're a business,... Read More
Sometimes there seems to be no client news worthy of... Read More
The media's role is to package and spread news, current... Read More
A press kit is an essential press relations tool. While... Read More
Public relations changes minds in the process of delivering what... Read More
They can when they invest in the basics. The best... Read More
Mark Twain once said the rumors of his death had... Read More
There's still time to review your public relations program like... Read More
Simply that the behaviors of their most important outside audiences... Read More
It's hard to imagine a reporter working today who doesn't... Read More
If your reading this, you must be online and most... Read More
If I were coaching you as a business, non-profit or... Read More
What's the real reason some managers shy away from public... Read More
In last year's animated film Shrek II, a giant gingerbread... Read More
Your boss just stopped by your office. He tells you... Read More
Receiving free advertising is the dream of most business people.... Read More
Lots of theories out there about public relations.Everything from "publicity's... Read More
Have you fantasized about spreading word of your business on... Read More
Managers, please take a minute and read two sentences: People... Read More
I recently worked with a group dealing with an unusual... Read More
Public Relations |