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If your web site is backed by a physical store front, you may want to do things a little differently on your site than you might if you were web-only. Here are a few ideas. I only rant a little.

(Finally! I have written a post about something other than my cats! I thought I should commemorate the occasion by submitting to Sphinn.)
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from JohnnyT 1775 Days ago #
Votes: 0

I can’t stand it when I visit a store’s website and they don’t list hours of operation! Grrr! What are they thinking? And how much does this or that service cost (ignoring some competitive issues for some)? If I need an oil change and you don’t tell me when you’re open or how much it will cost - I’m going to your competitor.

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from identity 1774 Days ago #
Votes: 0

Great points. Businesses need to forget about the medium and focus on the problem-solution delivery. Make a list of everything that people expect or ask for in your brick & mortar, and then figure out how to deliver that online. - location and how to get to the location - hours - what you have - how much it costs - what about returning it - tips on using - how to determine which _____ to buy - which accessories (add on sale!!) work best with the ____ that you are looking to buy

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from billse 1774 Days ago #
Votes: 0

I’m happy to say I incorporated all of these things on our retail site already (even though some were a battle to get completed). If we only sold cat toys, we might get you as a shopper! Nonetheless, this post made me mighty smiley tonight!

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from CarrieHill 1774 Days ago #
Votes: 0

Great article, Vanessa. I shop a lot online, 1) because I live in the middle of nowhere (we have a target, a crappy mall w/ a bookstore and 4 shoe stores and......that’s it) and 2) because my children are insane and I dont take them in public unless I have to! Not only is it important to deliver information via your website - PLEASE extend the same customer service you give in-store customers to your online customers. I get so frustrated when I send an email w/ a product question, get an auto-responder that promises a response within 24 hours - never to be contacted again. At that point I must try another tack and call the store. Frequently the person answering the phone is about 17 and cannot form complete sentences or give me an answer to my question. Just because I’m not standing in front of you doesn’t mean I don’t want to spend money.

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