Electronic Commerce E-Commerce Friendly Products
Product Attributes for Selling on the Web Digital or Knowledge-based products Software, video games, music, movies, books Direct-to-consumer web services Gambling and porn
Product Attributes for Selling on the Web Digital or Knowledge-based products Consulting services Information or data provider [banner ad revenue] Must be what your TM wants Must be high quality Must be unique
Product Attributes for Selling on the Web Hard Goods Computers and computer equipment Books CDs Specialized Niche products Virtual Vineyard
High Touch vs. Low Touch Low-Touch products are typically standardized goods that do not require examination. High-Touch products are those which consumers prefer to hold, feel, or examine closely.
Technology
Physical Solutions
Branding
Customer Service Return Policies SASE with purchase Low price guarantee Customer service call center (or online) After-sale service
Top Online Brands by Category (4-2-02)
16 Point Checklist 1. Product Quality 2. Competition Unique product (niche market) or approach Clutter – hard to find in crowd 3. Market Size Wide appeal vs. niche marketing Are your customers online? Does your product fit into online activities? 4. Promotability can you promote it effectively? how competitive is the promotion field for it right now?
16 Point Checklist 5. Profit Margin/Pricing 6. Supply and Exclusivity Is your supplier reliable? Flexible? Consistently high quality? 7. Advantage for you to sell the product online? Information-poor vs. information-rich products 8. Value-added by selling your product online? Availability Price Convenience Speed of delivery Assortment
16 Point Checklist 9. Sizzle Factor 10. Support Required? 11. Legality / Regulation Both product sale/use AND Trademark issues 12. Cost of Transportation No cost vs. shipping cost as a percentage of item cost
16 Point Checklist 13. Cost of Inventory Channel of distribution issue and power issue 14. Potential for repeat purchase Of that product or related merchandise 15. Community Can you build a relationship with and between your customers? Chatrooms, newsletter, discussion list, Fun for you!