Suz wrote:
> >> I'm working on an article that concerns how companies benefit from
> >> being on
> >> the Web. I know that few companies actually make money from their Web
> >> sites, but would appreciate your refreshing my memory on the kinds of
> >> companies that can profit from a Web presence. Some that come to mind
> >> are
> >> real estate agents and companies retailing unique specialty items.
> >> What
> >> other categories are there?
>
> Kathy wrote:
> >> Are you just looking for e-commerce ... or for a broader definition of
> >> "profit"?
>
> Broader. More like, "these types of businesses have experienced *tangible*
> benefits from being on the WEb."
Here's a few notes off the top of my head of sites I have worked on and
their profit methods:
Large delivery service:
1. Customers place orders via the web, saving phone time, decreasing the
size of the Cust Svc Dept and decreasing the likelihood that a customer will
be put on hold.
2. Customers go to the web for info about rates, zones, service types, etc,
saving printing costs and phone questions.
3. Potential customers may apply for a new account online, bringing new
business out of nowhere.
4. In the future, customers will be able to track order status, check
previously placed orders and pay their bill online.
Small boatbuilding school
1. New students have been obtained as a direct result of having the web
site. Students are coming from far-away places, having found out about the
school via the web. Some students have enrolled for such serious classes as
a one-year apprenticeship. As a matter of fact, space in the apprenticeship
is now not available until a future date, as a direct result of web
enrollments.
Company that sells an "Automated Sales Assistant" phone service
1. Acquires new clients via the web site
2. Regularly points people who ask for a brochure to their web site.
3. Provides a knowledge base for user questions
Standards forum for Wireless LAN products
1. Acts as clearinghouse for information about the standard.
2. Supplies "standard compatible" product buying guide database (product
"sales" are done through separate, linked, corporate sites)
3. Extranet for forum members to communicate detailed product development
info with each other.
Typical benefits listed above fall under the "alternate to print publishing"
category, but many go far beyond that, to include savings in staffing,
direct sales income, knowledge dissemination/communication that could not
otherwise be done [as efficiently]...
A number of other sites fall under the "specialty sales" category, which
shouldn't be trivialized, for sure. The people who own those sites and check
their merchant accounts daily to find more money in them are quite happy.
Any help?
Jack
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