Introduction
In the recent past companies use their websites to get views, comments, ideas and feedback from consumers. This is geared towards obtaining informative and innovative ideas from consumers over time. With advancement of technology, it is easier to get consumer views through the internet than through the traditional ways of actually going to the field. The consumers are free to fill and submit online forms. Consumers can also make comments through social sites such as twitter and facebook.
Companies allow consumers to visit their websites and through “contact us” the company can make comments and queries. A review of several companies’ websites reviewed different ways/steps of getting information from consumers. Several company websites were visited, but, only three are discussed below.
SCOTMID (Scottish midland cooperative society)
Visit the company’s website http://www.stormid.com. Then click on contact, scroll the contact page up to the area of queries. In this section one is required to enter his or her name, email address phone number then enter the query. One is also required to indicate about how he came to know about the company. After filling all this information submit the form. do not expect n immediate reply.
The company allows consumers to use social sites such as facebook, twitter and linked in. To make comments through this social sites one must sign up.
Coca-cola Company
Visit the company website ‘http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com’ click on contact us. On contact us page click on submit idea. Click on terms and conditions and submit form. Then accept terms and conditions outlined after accepting terms and conditions fill the required fields. The several fields include name, email, city, business area, country, and date of birth, idea (2500 characters) business value, patents, copyrights and experience of the client. Then click on submit. The company sends immediate reply through the email you have indicated.
General motors
In the company’s website: http://www.gm.com/. Click on contact us then click on help me. This will provide you with structured question. One is allowed to select the field he wants to comment on. After you make your comments submit your comment or query. It takes several days to get a reply from the company. Ways companies can use the internet to create greater customer value.
E-commerce
Buying customers can use the internet to shop. This allows them to have humble time to identify the right quality and quantity of the product they look forward to purchase. (Stephen, pp 21). Through the internet the customer can pay for the desired product and oder for the product to be brought at his or her door step.
Information
Through the internet the customer can obtain adequate information on how to use the product. The company can provide online manuals to inform the customer on how to effectively use the product. The customer can also question on areas he is confused. (Stephen , pp 21).
Taming rumors
A company can use the internet to tame rumors about its products. The customer may be confused by untrue information and may be misled on issues of changes in quality and price of product. The customer will be able to get authentic information from the company website hence will have no reason of fear. (Laurence, pp 37)
Reselling or transferring
The customers can get adequate information on how to store and transport the product. The customer is also informed on how to transfer the product. This is because a customer may decide to resell product after buying it.
References
Coca-Cola idea submission form. http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com accessed on( 2rd, march, 2011)
http://www.stormid.com. Accessed on (2rd march, 2011)
http://www.gm.com. Accessed on (2rd march, 2011)
Larry Weber (2009) marketing to the social web
Laurence Hatch (n.d). Companies can use something that customers would find value
Stephen Harpin (n.d) . Ways of using internet top add value to customer
