Decision Tools
If you have a commercial site, we cannot overemphasize the importance of providing your
visitors with adequate decision supports tools. These are Web site features that make it easy
for them to get the information they need to make an informed purchase. Even if your site is
not intended to sell merchandise directly, providing such information is beneficial. For example,
the Web site of a plastic surgeon could include information on the various types of procedures
available. The logic in this is simple: the better your site serves as a source of reliable
information, the more likely it is to retain customers and attract new ones.
Such information can be presented in a variety of forms.
- Detailed information on products and services
Let's face it, the description KX104 camcorder battery is probably not sufficient. Customers will need to know what camcorder it goes to, and may will want to know what charger it requires and what its rating is. Is there a warranty, and if so, what are its terms? - Search capabilities to help locate the correct product
There is no point in trying to sell a KX104 camcorder battery if the customer cannot find out that is what he need. He probably knows what type of camcorder it is, but he needs a way to get from there to finding the right battery. - Support and usage information
If you are selling camcorders, it would be of benefit to you and your customers to provide general information on camcorder usage and techniques of cinematography. By providing such information, you not only attract customers, but also enhance the useability of your products. An excellent example of a Web site providing support information is that of Lowes. The site has detailed instructions on laying tile, hanging drywall, and sweating copper pipe. Its visitors areleft with no doubt that they can use the products properly if they purchasethem. - Ancillary decision support tools
In this category are various tools tomake the process of buying easier. For example, a board-foot calculatorto estimate how much lumber a do-it-yourselfer would need for a certain project. If you selling those camcorders and accessories, you could provide a Java applet with a number of test images that would allow the visitor to select different filters and show how it would affect the image.
Below is an example of a scientific calculator applet written in Java to demonstrate the type of complicated functions that applets can perform. Please be patient. It might take a while to download. If you want to play with it, fine. That's what it is here for. However, remember that it uses Reverse Polish Notatation, not algebraic. So if you wanted to add 1 and 2,you would enter "1 ENTER 2 +".
