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Follow UsMuch has been written on the importance and pervasiveness of the Net. People from all walks of life are busy trying to figure out how they can use this phenomenon to improve their business. Numerous channel partners are in the process of e-enabling their business.
What counts most in e-business is the website that can make or break an online effort. We review a few sites of channel partners to provide insights on how well these can be used not only to bring in e-business but also enhance the current business.
Allied Digital Services specializes in computer and data communication products. It is a pleasant experience to visit their very intelligently and professionally created web site
www.alliedindia.com.
The company has realized that a successful sales comes through only after extensive handholding. In a bid to emulate this in the virtual world, they have given the "Buyer's Guide" link. This link has answers to questions like how a Celeron is different from the P-III and what are the benefits of a modem. This information is useful to visitors who do not have prior experience of purchasing a system.
Information under ‘Networking’, ‘Services’ and ‘Support’ heads tells visitors the kind of services provided by the company, its products as well as after-sales support.
The sites has several links like ‘Quality Standards,’ ‘Clients,’ ‘Awards’ and ‘International tie-ups’ wherein details of the various awards and tie-ups are given. While this is important information, it would make sense to club them under one grid, instead of spreading them all over the site.
‘Build Your PC’ is a graphically appealing segment where one gets to see the latest standard configured Celeron and Pentium computers and what these would cost you. A visitor to the site can customize PCs according to his personal requirement and spending power. Just click onto ‘Customize & Prize’. In the same segment you will find terms and conditions of ordering, delivery and mode of payment. Links like ‘FAQs’ and ‘Products’ are still under construction.
Rashi Peripherals has managed to carve a niche for itself as an ISO 9002 certified distributor of Logitech, CNet, Asus, Actima, Sony, Acer, Prolink amongst others. Earlier their web site had two home pages. But, now they have only one and have changed the look and feel of the current web site, making it visually pleasing and at the same time easier to use.
The home page prominently displays "Hot Deals" which is a smart think to do as it is the first thing that catches the attention of a visitor. However, this functions more as an information snippet, because the company has not given a hyperlink.
The products and their categories have been displayed well. "Product by Category" has seven links, which include systems, peripherals, multimedia, cards, communications, software and networking.
The old web site had a ‘Build a Computer’ section where one had to choose components like cabinets, display cards, gaming devices, motherboards, hard disks and printers to their configuration requirements. While this option is available in the current site too, it is under construction.
There is good news for channel partners who are interested in tying up with RP Tech. They can do it online with "ARP/SI" link. The acronym stands for authorized Rashi partner/ systems integrator. This link provides a form, which visitors have to fill and they will then be intimated when RP Tech decides to sign them on.
Promoters of this site have struck on the idea of giving links to their vendor companies. However, right now the site has just four links, Intel, Sify, Asus and Logitech. It would be a better idea to give the link to all the other vendors too. The site has chat and download drivers options which are currently not functioning.
Though a good site, it has numerous links that are unavailable or are under construction. This could discourage visitors from coming back to the site.
Compunics has a chain of retail outlets in the metros. Its web site
www.compunics.com gives the visitor the option of either buying online or direction to the nearest Compunics outlet. The home page features visuals of many products, giving the site a cluttered look. Perhaps the promoters should select a few products and give bigger and better pictures.
This site too has been revamped from the earlier one which had segments like ‘Home Computers,’ Office Computers,’ ‘Inkjet Printers,’ ‘Laser Printers,’ ‘Scanners,’ ‘Plotters,’ ‘Storage Products,’ ‘Internet Services,’ ‘Dot Matrix,’ ‘Modems,’ ‘Ink Cartridges,’ ‘Toner Cartridges,’ ‘Notebooks,’ ‘Software,’ ‘CD Titles,’ ‘Computer Parts,’ ‘Digital Cameras’ and ‘Cellular Phones.’ All these sections had separate links of each brand of products giving an insight on their configurations and cost details.
However, the new site is still being constructed and, therefore, very few links are functioning. The only thing that is working at the moment is a lengthy company profile. This includes the financial highlights and the details of the company as well as its warranty policies.
The "Warranty Policy" link is very comprehensive giving the vendor warranty as well as warranty for PCs assembled by Compunics. Besides warranty period, the details include mode of the replacement or repair, warranty ownership and implementation as well as the service location. If the other links that are under construction are as comprehensive as this link, this site is going to be a sure-fire winner.
Jasmina Khanna is a freelance writer and can be contacted at
jasmina@vsnl.com