At these prices it seems hard to add value in traditional web design but do you think there is an emerging market for Web site support through Web chat, co browsing and document push. So much energy is put into sites which without external marketing are useless. Companies spend thousands on advertising to get people to contact their companies, but when someone hits there site most never know they visited and an on line agent can encourage visitors to leave usefull marketing data and leads.

How much do you think small to mid size clients would be prepared to pay to have an agent giving scripted messages, pushing documents and completing enquiry forms on line with visitors ?

So you are asking about a live person who is "online and available to chat with you" when you visit a website?

Well I am having experience and a good understanding of marketing..


I have a method of looking at things which stipulates you should allways break things down into their most simple, essential building blocks. That way you are not side tracked from focusing on that which is superfluous to the important parts of any idea or business..


So regarding "web chat"..


My answer is to say that if a company or business wished to give live chat to someone then they have the option of offering email or offering a telephone service..

I think webchat, is a halfway house, between telephone and email.....

You also have to remember, that what purpose would someone want webchat for? If they need more information than is already provided on the net, then you may need to consider the fact that perhaps only someone from the client company can answer.

Also the webchats are time consuming, and they are usually taking a long time to get any serious answer.....when a factual email can be structured in a more precise way.

Further more, businesses have enough of a problem to reply promptly to emails let alone consider the effort that needs to go into a life webchat....

And if you can provide webchat facilities, then, what can a non company person say that a structured email can't?


Furthermore finally, the biggest and perhaps most importantly, is not to ask.....

How much would people pay! But you should start off by asking yourself, is there a demand for that product?

If you search successful and large websites, even those that do not seek to give out a telephone number, you will find that they are not having webchats!

So what possible demand can their be if they are managing to provide successful products and services via the net, without having the need to offer webchat services?


In my opinion, it is not a definite necessity, although I'm not an expert..I can't see why people would want the extra expense..

If I was developing my own website, I would not want webchat..it is abit like having technology for its own sake....and not because its essential.


What are your thoughts on this/


Rgds

Stephen


P.S...of course their is probably a demand for webchat in the porn industry! That is one of the few purely internet based industries that makes alot of money.

After rereading what you've said....I think I missed out the bit where you said..

"emerging market".


I really was focusing upon existing markets.

I think the focus of what your saying is relating to ...how much effect a life person connected to a website can have in influencing that potential client.....

Do you agree?

Therefore, you can also say that this customer, has to make a conscious decision to wish to speak to a live person.....via webchat.....

Now you can argue the case from two points.

You may say that if that potential prospect wanted to talk to someone live, then he may as well phone that company up or send an email..


On the other hand, you may say, that the webchat, is more likely to achieve interaction with the client as it is less "threatening" and less "imposing" the client is not under as much obligation as if he makes a telephone call.


So I think what your talking about is a bit more deeper and complmex than I first thought....

In summary...I see two issues to answer/thought about.

1/ Current demand and use verses Emerging market/new technologies....and new use of this technology.

2/ Waht can it do for the business that can't be done by other means.....


Rgds

Stephen

Hey Paul,
This is regarding the virtual reception idea. Can you give me a ballpark price estimate on the following -

1) What would be the total cost for deploing the technology
2) What would be the call charges for inbound (say routed from UK to India) and outbound (the next step i.e. India to UK) in such a virtual reception?

Please send your reply ASAP

Regards,