Manufacturers: 5 Things Your Customers Want (and how to provide it online)

5 Things Your Customers Want When Configuring Products Online

Did you know that at Starbucks, you can choose from over half a million drink combinations? That’s right, just over 550,000 ways to make a latte.
This kind of customization, and the branding around it, has become the alma mater of such big corporate players; And if you’re a manufacturer of configure to order products, you can probably relate. You probably have an easily comparable variety in your product line.

Whats more is that as a manufacturer, you’re dealing with a number of different sales channels; industrial sales reps, distributors, retailers, etc. And then there’s the consideration of OEMs, owners and engineers who influence your customer’s purchasing decisions. Needless to say, this wide an audience presents a need for mass appeal.

After some extensive research, we’ve found some of the top priorities our clients have shared with us regarding customer’s needs. Bear in mind, we’re in the business of online solutions. Your website can be your most valuable sales tool, offering a one stop solution to shorter lead-to-order times, streamlined processes, and ultimately, more winning bids.

While Shopping for ecommerce solutions, product configurators , and RFQ solutions, remember to remember your customer…

They Want:

1. An Intuitive Way to Identify and Select the Most Appropriate Solution for Their Needs

You’re probably dealing with customers of varying knowledge levels. Dealers who make similar orders on a weekly basis will need less guidance than someone less familiar with a particular product application, let’s say. Help your customers out a little. Choose a product configurator and supporting navigation schema that allows for multiple ways to select products. A well organized, searchable catalogue solution will quickly guide your customer to the right product.

2. The Ability To Quickly Specify A Variety Of Options

Again, you’re dealing with a differing audience, and a differing buying approach. the key is to figure out how your customers are operation, and to make the customization process as intuitive as possible. Features that can be applied to all products, applied to all products except…etc are options that will make the purchasing process much easier for your visitors.

3. Fast, Accurate Price Quotes

This might sound like a obvious one, but actually supplying this experience requires some thought. For standard configurations, your customers just want the right price, now. For more complex configurations, it’s accurate pricing, the first time that counts. In thinking about what options to provide in the RFQ process, consider what your customer’s motivations are: They want to know exactly what their costs will be, with all markups and discounts clearly displayed. they may be searching for value adds on your competitors products – in order to manage their margins and budgets successfully, they’ll need to do some experimentation. Supply them with comprehensive options, and clearly indicated pricing information.

4. The Ability to Quickly Create Bid Documents; Including Configuration Specific Drawings.

Your distributors will sometimes need to create, formal, comprehensive proposals to their bid. the more information you provide, and the more automated the process, the quicker these documents can be created. A content solution that allows you to produce and deliver configuration specific drawings in a ready to go electronic form means a quicker sales cycle, and more business for your customers, and for you. You can also provide access to premade CAD blocks, making it easier for your user to incorporate your products in their layouts.
See CAD Viewer | CAD Publisher | Web Solution Custom Manufacturer

5. The Ability to See What They’re Ordering

You dont need an interactive, visually stunning flash configurator in order to give your customers visual confirmation of their configuration. Its lousy in the search engines and tough to find a talented flash designer that wont break your bank. A static image is often enough. More advanced solutions could involve rotatable 3D images for products where the look is critical.

Of course, all of these pieces must be wrapped up in an intuitive, well organized, visually appealing, usable, and search engine friendly website in order to be the most effective. For more information on how to create a web experience for your visitors that will translate into conversions for your company, see other posts listed below!

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