This is a dilemma i am having and i would like to get your opinions. I have a comparison table about the products i am selling on my website. I am selling compatible products where you can save up to 80% compare to brand name products. And brand name products are usually on Walmart or Staples' websites. My question is, would you share the table of hot products' price comparison where it also gives links to Walmart and Staples' specific product page. Or you would only share their prices without the link and let customers find it if they are so curious? Your honest opinions are highly appreciated.
Well, I would just share their prices, you never know if they got better support or something else that would make customers buy from other companies.. It also depends on the quality of your product, don't link to other companies if you don't think your product is better then theirs..
If someone asked me the same question, i would give the same answer. Even though this case is somehow different, i would go with your suggestion since having the slightest chance of losing customer is not acceptable. Thank you though,
I would list the prices with no links. You do not want them to leave the site, especially for a big competitor like Walmart or Staples with a reputation and ease of exchanges / returns - and the option to order online and pick up in person - etc.
Yes, don't put the links to the actual brand stores because there are chances that those customers would buy from those more reputable and known stores instead of buying from you, for obvious reasons, regardless of the price difference. So, just put the price and don't place the links to those stores. Focus on making them buy from you and you alone.
Thanks a lot for your time and comments, they were very helpful. I decided not to have any external links to the competitors. Currently composing the introductory text, and will launch the page soon enough.
Avoid advertising your competitors. It is like a free advertise for them. Follow the previous posts just put the prices and not the links
You know, I tend to agree with all of the posters here and would not ordinarily suggest providing a link to a competitor's product listing. That said, I can think of an instance where I might do it. Thinking back to the days of the Pepsi Challenge (when they set up direct comparisons to the market leader, Coke, I am thinking that were I an upstart, disruptive product to the market, I might want to use such a "Challenge" approach in a PR campaign. Imagine issuing a press release to the appropriate media with a statement something like this: "We are so confident of our superior value, that we provide a link to our competitors' sites for a side-by-side comparison! An educated customer is our best customer." I bet that some media outlets would pick this up and get you some qualified traffic. As a consumer, I think that I would be impressed by such an approach and would absolutely give the upstart company a close look. Of course, you should open the competitor's site in a separate browser window so that your site will still be within reach. But in the vast majority of other situations, I would advise against it.
I'll post a link to *anyone* that offers an affiliate program. And, at first glance, it looks like both Walmart & Staples have affiliate programs. Some people will pay a higher price for their perceived comfort of buying from someone they trust.
Jrbiz, appreciated for your counter idea. Besides coke & pepsi, there were plenty more i could recall such as Ferrari & Porsche or Verizon & ATT, etc... However, my handicap is, i am not a brand name. I am just a retailer who has really good prices. Even though i am specialized in what i am selling (ink cartridges), such an action would backstab me...