Spinfield: Web marketing trends today, tomorrow, and beyond…

Have you ever stopped to think what really goes into printing your product catalog? From the staff time that creates it, to the countless revisions it takes to get it just right, to the printing costs, mailing costs and the wasted copies that never get mailed and just sit on a shelf. It’s an expensive and time consuming task and just when you think it’s done…it’s time to start on the next one.

What about taking it all online? The benefits are countless but to name just a few:

• reduced or no cost to publish
• the ability to make revisions instantaneously
• no wasted catalogs getting dusty on a shelf

Oh, and think of all the trees you’ll save! And remember 94% of consumers would prefer to do business with companies that demonstrate care about the environment.

For example FOMO , a leader in building technologies, is committed to providing products that contribute to a safe, healthy environment by improving energy efficiencies and indoor air quality. They have reduced their costs and paper waste by posting their product catalog, spec sheets, training and sales materials to their Web site. Fomo’s marketing director uses an online, Web-based interface to upload, revise and remove products and modify their descriptions on an as-needed basis. She says it enables her to make changes on-the-fly whether they’re adding a new product to their line or featuring a new application. It makes the process of updating the catalog much easier, faster and cost effective over the long run.

Another big advantage to putting your catalog online is that it allows the big search engines to index it. All of your product names, SKU numbers, details, specs and more will now be completely searchable via the Web. Google, Yahoo and other search giants may become your biggest source of customers and inquires after putting your product catalog online.

Contact me if you want to learn more.

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