Sounds like a contradictive question? I wonder sometimes if we as directory owners concentrate so much on the selling process that we actually could lose sales through almost forgetting about the buyer themselves and how their experience is on our directory. We know its important to keep the submission process simple but what if someone is looking for an answer before submitting, without having to use the contact form (if it exists) do we provide enough online information. Do you even include your full name? admittedly that is something missing from my directories and replies at the moment. Its cool trying to sell yourself as something bigger, with an image that you have employees, departments etc, but i think most people would be fond of having a name to refer to when dealing with a directory. Are we quite tight on information? i mean info on pages that can be found in seconds, and easily. So are we concentrating so hard on making it cosy for us that we fail some potentail customers by being less Buyer friendly?
let me get this seller friendly = optimizing your site for sales, promoting hard buyer friendly = how the potential customer will see the site, will they find it useful, what makes them want to get listed there etc?
Hi mikey Im referring more towards: seller friendly = optimized to make the process of grabbing the sale and hoping the buyer doesn't have too many question. buyer friendly = could the buyer find answers easily, was there a faq's page in place, does the buyer feel that information is up front and not guess work. Not so much about if they want to get listed there but more towards was the buying process giving them all of the info they needed, to make them feel comfortable and without having to hunt for it or wait on a reply through email.
well i cater for the buyer. faq and about page plus contact form if they need help. I try respond within the hour
Sounds cool see part of my reason for asking is im regularly looking at what my own directories may be missing, then i wonder what other people have taken into account already. Im definately going to add a FAQ page very soon and rewrite an about us page.
I think you meant "customer friendly". I think that's more important than the focus on your sales. For example, people buy links but aftercare can give them more impression than your site PR. I have even refunded subscription fee to my customer after she failed to cancel it in a timely manner.
I agree, customer friendly is a much better way of putting it I admire your way of handling a situation, like the one mentioned.
I'm currently in the process of creating a support/faq area as we "speak". As directories progress, those that do not cater to buyers will probably suffer. Support and solid business practices along w/solid promotion and PR should go along way
of what you defined to be seller friendly and buyer friendly sounds very much just the same Seller friendly (Buyers won't have question) Buyer Friendly (find answers to questions) so obviously won't have questions once they are done. My web directory is i would say user-friendly because whether its a buyer or a person just lookin for resources ... can find it easily.
I think my directories are friendly for everyone They both offer deep links, seo url's and I've added several back links already. They are the top two listed in my sig.
Seller friendly vs customer friendly reminds me of those long-drawn out sales letters so many folks are using. Webmasters spend so much time crafting their masterpiece sales pitch and ensuring there are plenty of "Buy Now" links that they seem to forget their potential customers just want information about the product and many detest having to wade through the hype to find it. I think with directories, being seller friendly is when we do well at enticing the submitter to want to participate in a directory and being customer friendly is when we go further to make sure the customer is happy with their listing and we are willing to change out screen shots, descriptions, and even URLS when things change.
I totally agree, if your willing to make requested changes, thats great customer service and good after sales. Less of, you paid, your listed, done. And possibly more of, you paid, your listed, can i do anything else for you Sir/Madam.