Customization Marks the Future in Online Marketing

So What’s All This Hype Over Customization??

It’s a cool concept, sure, and it probably adds some fun to the customer’s experience. But does it really hold potential for boosting sales? Is it really worth the effort?

To be able to spot the new trend that’s going to change an industry’s B2B experience, among all the other trends emerging from Big Data and new technology, is indeed a challenge. However, this one seems to rise above the others, and not just because it’s cool and ‘sexy’ for users. Customization is no longer just a gadget used to spice-up an exhausting ecommerce website, but a true game-changer in the ecommerce industry, and here’s why-

A Truly User-Centric Approach in a Personalized World

Everything is personal now. From medical tracking devices setting the right drug dosage for you, to identifying your taste in music and offering similar styles, to matching your next date according to personality preferences, etc. There IS no ‘business is strictly business’ approach anymore; if you want your brand to succeed, you make everything personal. You post friendly pictures of the CEO with co-workers on Facebook, invite users to comment on your products, and nothing is even worth talking about if it’s not ‘tweeted’ on or ‘liked’ on social networks, even by random online users. In other words, the customer has never been so right before, and their opinion never mattered as much as it does now.

If you’re anywhere near online marketing, you know this. You know that to be ahead of the game, you need to adopt a user-centric approach, it doesn’t even really matter what industry you’re in anymore. And though it sounds like an empty business school marketing slogan, this actually means basing your entire online marketing strategy on the user, really thinking how to make him happy. Because now more than ever, if he’s unhappy, there’s between tens to thousands of other providers he could turn to instead, online.

Starting to see it? Yes, customization came into the game just in time, and it is rapidly gaining momentum. In fact, a survey by Bain, of more than 1,000 online shoppers, shows that “while less than 10% have tried customization options, 25% to 30% are interested in doing so.” These stats can give us a sense of how far this growing phenomena could go.

The Force that Drives Online Engagement Strategy

What better way to make it all about the user than personalizing your products-

Online marketing strategies today mainly focus on one super-objective; user engagement. The philosophy behind this implies that if we could just keep the user with us a little tiny bit longer, if we could just make him interested in doing something more than just browsing, if we could just make him interact- we could increase his engagement, making him of much more potential to become a viable lead.

Customization is literally doing just that, sometimes even better than other engagement tactics-

• It makes the user visit your website more often
• It makes the user stay longer (which might engage him with other interactive activities such as commenting, sharing, etc.)
• It creates a sense of attachment to the product, which to some degree is a substance of the user’s creation.
• It gives the user psychological power, actual creative, productive power.
• And it gradually makes him loyal to our brand

All this and we didn’t even mention the user becoming our most loyal advocator down the line. And that’s before we even started with the whole follow-up process.

To Wrap This Up

Customization is revealed as the #1 tactic for online engagement strategies, creating a wholesome process of luring the user in, engaging him, giving him a sense of power, strengthening his connection with the product and consequentially with the brand, making him a loyal, satisfied customer.

To put it simply, this is Jack of All Trades right here, and if you are quick enough to realize it, you just might find yourself taking your brand one step ahead of the game.

To speak to someone about customization click here.

To stay in touch click here. 

References

Spaulding, E., & Perry, C. (2013, November 05). Having it their way: The big opportunity in personalized products. Retrieved from http://www.bain.com/publications/articles/having-it-their-way-the-big-opportunity-in-personalized-products-forbes.aspx

The post So What’s All This Hype Over Customization?? appeared first on Doogma Designer.

What do I mean by updates for your configurator? There are many relevant types. For example, when your browser version changes this affects processes on your site.  In some cases, upgrades to your website or product line causes changes on the other processes on your site. Each upgrade needs to be taken into account how it affects your product configurator.

Let’s say you made a great savings by hiring the offshore guy.  You have your product configurator finally. And now it doesn’t work. Now what? Software needs updates. There’s no escaping this fact.  You’ll want to make sure that your configurator will be supported whenever you need it. The last thing you want is that the the product configurator that you spent so much time and money on doesn’t work with your new website. To top it off, the offshore guy you paid to develop it is nowhere to be found.  If the product configurator was done inhouse, Does your IT staff have time for updates?

Keep in mind that the team you worked with to develop the software may not always be there.  Oftentimes there are huge turnover issues with offshore IT teams. All of the skillsets and learning that went into development of your software can be lost quickly if one member of the offshore team leaves.  In other words, the stability of a key web tool for your business is dependent on whether or not an offshore team member leaves or not.  Another aspect to be considered is the time involved in building and developing the offshore team for your product configurator. Do you have the time available to develop another offshore team?

Having a reliable source for updates is crucial. Product configurators are designed to engage buyers emotionally and convert them to a sale. If your product is down because it needs updates, you are not engaging customers and converting them to a sale.  In many ways this is similar to a car purchase.  Imagine for a moment you bought a car from an unknown manufacturer.  Afterwards, the manufacturer closed up shop along with the services centers and support.  No spare parts, nothing.  Your investment becomes unserviceable and worthless.  Would you do the same for tools to make your business successful?

Pennywise… Pound foolish

Product configurators are a major online trend.  Buyers will expect to be engaged with a customization experience. Tapping into this trend requires a considerable investment of time, effort and money. While the temptation to go with offshore or proprietary development might be tempting, in conclusion this route is pennywise but pound foolish.  Make sure your product configurator has the right development team, has a great UI and has consistent support.

To speak to someone about customization click here.

The post Reason 3 – Ready, set, update – Support is critical appeared first on Doogma Designer.

Here are the pretty purses on display on the hit daytime TV show.

With a large variety of the fashionable clutches to choose from, women have been going quite literally head over heels for these fabulous pieces. Where competitors may offer an array of colors in a particular clutch design, Maddy Nash goes that one step further. Not only can you choose the color of fabric for your purse, (whether it be the finest, high-quality textile or soft, long-lasting leather) there is the option to add some really unique personalizable elements such as a custom zipper and interior fabric. What’s more… the really special thing about the Maddy Nash customizable range is the fact that you can add your own personal touch by choosing the text in the label of your clutch. This allows for real individuality and ensures that no two people will be seen strutting down the street clutching the exact same purse. This will well and truly make you feel a million dollars! To get making your very own designer clutch purse today, visit the Maddy Nash website today at www.maddynash.com and don’t be afraid to express your individuality!

The post Maddy Nash features on “The Today Show”! appeared first on Doogma Designer.

Maddy Nash offer each and every customer only excellence, and the ever-growing company have gained significant success over the years. Featuring in a variety of high-class magazines, such as Southern Ladies and Apparently Obsessed, these statement pieces are being greatly received by the general public due to their undeniable exclusivity.

Click here to try it out for yourself!

Each bag is made using a combination of fine fabrics and high-end craftsmanship. What’s more, a massive 10% of profits will be going to The Ronan Thompson Foundation, helping children suffering from Paediatric cancer.

Using the Doogma Designer™, you are free to express your individuality through a variety of different style options for your clutch purse. First things first. Pick the style of clutch bag that you most prefer. There is an extensive selection to choose between, differing in price as well, so make sure to take your time finding that perfect style!

Now the tricky bits over, it’s time to start getting really creative. Start by picking out your ideal exterior fabric. Unlike many customizable tools out there, the Doogma tool allows you to choose between sensational patterns and fabrics. With breathtakingly funky and fresh designs, you will find yourselves spoiled for choice! But the fun doesn’t stop there. Once you have chosen your perfect clutch exterior, it’s time to start thinking about what wonderful colors you want to pop out at you every time you open up your designer clutch. Choose from an array of vibrant, or more neutral tones, to really add something unique to your one-of-a-kind bag. After this, there is even the option to choose from a variety of zipper colors! Let your imagination go wild when you design your very own Maddy Nash purse, today.

And for that finishing touch, why not add your very own designer label to show everyone what a star you really are? Simply enter whatever text your heart desires, and your custom made statement purse is finished!

The post Personalize your very own designer purses ‘Made with Love’ from Maddy Nash. appeared first on Doogma Designer.