Question 1:
Select a retail store with which you are familiar that has a Web site on which it sells products or services similar to those it sells in its physical retail stores. Explore the Web site and examine it carefully for features that indicate the level of services it provides. Using your experience in the physical store and review of the Web site, write a 200 word evaluation of the company's touch point consistency.
Select a retail store with which you are familiar that has a Web site on which it sells products or services similar to those it sells in its physical retail stores. Explore the Web site and examine it carefully for features that indicate the level of services it provides. Using your experience in the physical store and review of the Web site, write a 200 word evaluation of the company's touch point consistency.
Introduction
In this report, I will be looking at a
local website and a retail store named Carsmart
Sendirian Berhad. This is a company that offers and sells quality used cars
and vehicles. The company’s mode of business is through its physical outlet and
also through their website. Later on, I will be reporting about this company
and thus evaluate the company’s touch point consistency.
Carsmart Website
I have come across a website,
www.carsmartbrunei.com; that offers and sells quality used cars and vehicles. This
company is located at Simpang 670, Kampung Tasek Meradun, Jalan Tutong, Brunei
Darussalam. The company’s website includes its products’ images and its
details. I have found out that the products shown on the websites are similar
to the products in the retail store. The price of its products are similar in
both website and retail stores but when I went there physically, the price of
the products are negotiable. This negotiability of price is not mentioned in
the website. Another feature of this company is its assurance in its giving the
best quality used cars.
Conclusion
I have found out that Carsmart Sdn Bhd
is consistent in its touch point for both website and physical retail store.
The quality and price mentioned in its website is similar to that in its store.
Question 2:
What were the main forces that led to the commercialization of the Internet? Summarize your answer in about 100 words.
Question 2:
What were the main forces that led to the commercialization of the Internet? Summarize your answer in about 100 words.
Introduction
In this task, I will
briefly outline the main forces that led to the commercialization of the
internet.
The
commercialization of the internet
The main forces that led
to the commercialization of the internet are its uses in business and
information distribution. Like for example in the business arena, advertising
is crucial in selling off business’ products. Through the internet, this
company will be marketable not only in local but in the global setting. In
addition to this, the high technological advancement has also contributed to
the rise of the use of this internet. Similarly this applies to the
dissemination of information. This information includes all sorts of information
for all types of people. Thus results to the commercialization of the internet.
Conclusion
Businesses and the
spreading of information are the main forces of commercialization of the
internet.
Question 3:
Describe two possible service-for-fee offerings that might become available to users of Internet-enabled wireless devices (such as iPad or mobile phones) in the near future. Write one paragraph for each service in which you outline the profit potential and risk of losses for each.
Introduction
In
this report, I am going to describe two companies those are offering
service-for-fee. Later I will write the profit potential and risk of losses.
Baiduri bank
Baiduri
Bank is one example of banks in Brunei Darussalam that offers service-for-fee.
Amongst their customer services and information via counters; they also provide
their services online through website www.baiduri.com.bn.
As a result, the customers can do online banking and view information updates.
Profit
potential- making online services via internet is more convenient nowadays.
Customers can browse the website and do their online banking through their
computers or smartphones anywhere and anytime. Increasingly,
this method has gained its’ popularity to customers. The bank will also
increase its profit margin as a result of the widespread of their services via
website.
Risk
of losses- this can occur when there are problems affecting the internet and
thus disturb the function of the website. As a result, online transaction /
banking will be disturb whenever this occur. Consequently, this will affect the
bank profitability. Customers will experience risk of losses if they do their
online banking in public computers. Customers may accidentally left their passwords
and other information on the computers. Their account may be hacked.
AirAsia
AirAsia is one of the flight online services for fee which gained its popularity
nowadays. Customers can book any flights and view travel information online through
www.airasia.com.
Profit
potential – booking flights has become convenient nowadays. People who wish to
find cheap air fares can browse through the website to purchase the ticket,
even at the last minute – AirAsia now offered purchase air ticket 4 hours
before travel. Customers benefit to this service as it is convenient to do the
online banking. With the online service, AirAsia has gained a tremendous
increase in its profit margin. Its customers came from all over the world.
Risk
of losses – one of the risks in booking air tickets through online is that the
ticket is non- returnable and non-changeable. Customers may be experiencing the
dissatisfaction. Another risk is that the customer will be using their credit
card online. This is risky when customers may leave their password on public
computer. AirAsia will face risk of losses whenever the internet connection is
down. The operation will be disturbed and this will affect the business and
costumers’ loyalty.
Conclusion
I
have looked into two businesses that offer service for fee. These businesses
offer its services through the website. I have outlined the profit potentials
and the risks of losses for both. The main profit potentials may be its
convenient to users and its risks of losses may be its affect to customers /
businesses if the website is down.
Question 4:
In two paragraphs, explain why a customer-centric Web site
design is so important, yet is so difficult to accomplish.
Introduction
In this task, I will be defining briefly the meaning
of customer-centric website design. Then I will outline its importance and
later I will outline briefly on the reasons why it is so difficult to accomplish.
Customer centric website
A customer – centric website means
that the website is design to meet requirements of customers’ needs and wants.
The website focused on accomplishing what customers want to expect. The
decision in making the website design is crucial as it will be a key factor in
customers’ response. This will in return
create customer loyalty and retention.
Customer – centric website is
difficult to accomplish because the need to cater varieties of people’s
preferences. Another is that a business will need to have a lot of resources in
order to make the website in such a way presentable to the needs of all the
customers’ taste. The website will need to be constantly re-designed and
re-construct from time to time so that it can meet customers’ satisfaction.
Conclusion
Customer centric website is difficult to accomplish
because the web designer will have to construct a website that can satisfies
all people with different background and tastes.
Question 5:
Promoting products on the Web is different from using mass media promotion or personal contact. Assume that you want to explain these differences to a person who is planning to open a Web site that will sell fishing-rod. Write one paragraph about each approach (mass media, personal contact, the Web). In each paragraph, explain the advantages and disadvantages of the approach for the fishing rod Web business.
Introduction
In this task, I will
be explaining the three methods in promoting and selling fishing-rod. Each
approach will be explained in the following paragraphs. The advantages and
disadvantages of these will be briefly explained later.
Promotion
Methods
Promoting product
through mass media is like for example through televisions, radios and
newspapers. The advantage of this type of promotion is that it transfers the
information directly to its viewers / listeners or readers. The disadvantage of
this type of promotion is that it does not reach viewers / listeners / readers
globally. It only can cater to a particular location and target a particular
society.
Personal Contact is
another type of promoting products. Direct selling is an example. The advantage
of personal contact is customer can have a close interaction between the promoters.
The product is there physically and interaction is direct. The disadvantage of
this approach is that it is limited and promoting products through this method
is time-consuming and can only apply to a particular location and particular
society.
The Web is a fast
diverse medium where most business nowadays is engage with. It can reached
viewers / readers / customers locally and globally. Promoting product through
the web is a good way in disseminating information of the product quickly and
can covers a wider target area. It is also cheap, fast and time-saver. The
disadvantage is that all business wanted to use this medium and thus create
higher competition. It also restricted the promotion to those who do not have
access to the web.
Conclusion
I have outlined the
three approaches for promoting a product. The advantages and disadvantages are
also discussed. I would recommend that in promoting product, the best way is by
website if one’s wanted to target a global market. A personal contact is also
good because it allows direct interaction between seller and customer. This is
suitable if the business is targeting a small market. Promoting through the
mass media is also good if the target market is those non-internet users.