I am the webmaster at Computing Supershops (<a href="<a href="http://computing.supershops.com">http://computing.supershops.com</a>">http://computing.supershops.com</a>).
We have an online catalog of software, primarily oriented toward software
developers.
My role is currently primarily administration; the actual site was created
and is maintained by Symphony Marketing.
I have been having an ongoing discussion with my management regarding the
idea of having links to technical information pages at vendors' sites. I
feel that it would
be valuable to the users of our catalog to be able to click on a particular
product and
have a page with detailed technical specs (at the vendor site) displayed.
There are those who argue against this, saying that it is disadvantageous to
create
a situation where the user can more easily exist our site and go on
somewhere else.
Besides, the argument goes, if we take them to our vendors' sites, they can more
easily by the product directly from the vendor (even though it is less
expensive from us). &gt;&gt;snip
Paul
I would have to agree with you. IMO by providing this as a service you
would become the jump point to access vendor infomation. Your pages find
themselves on a potential client's bookmark list and they return to your
site over and over again. All you then need is a few pointers to the great
bargains you have. In addition you improve relations with your client to
boot.
I have only used the net for little over a year and a lot of my bookmarks
are for sites such as these. Assuming that you offer basically the same
service as the vendors but beat them on price, what have you got to lose?
Another option is a mail robot (I know there is a more technical name) to
send infomation requested by e-mail 24hrs a day.
Matt Smith (Design Director)
Laboratory Automation Development and Services Ltd
141 St James Road, Glasgow G4 0LT
Tel +44 (0) 141 552 3880
Enquiries:- info@ladsltd.demon.co.uk
E-mail:- matt@ladsltd.demon.co.uk
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