I've had several experiences lately where the way a business moved me through their sales process actually invited me to reconsider my choice after I decided on what I was going to buy. These weren't like considering add-ons or compliments to increase the sale of my purchase, which would be a bonus purchase strategy, but rather, considering completely different products and brands which made me question my initial choice. The buyer experience was one of confusion and distraction, rather than confidence and readiness.
Example 1: Sharing Information in a Public Sharing Platform
I was invited by a service provider to view a price list on issu.com, an online magazine layout solution. When I got to the bottom of the price list, the platform invited me to look at other service provider price lists for the same service! So, even if I was sold on my first choice, now I was being given many other choices to take me into the rabbit hole of comparison and being completely taken away from my original intent of working with a specific service provider. Make sure that how you're sharing your information with clients who are ready to make a decision isn't a place that invites them to compare other services.
Example 2: Showing 5 More Options for The Same Item
I was searching for a pair of boots on Zappos.com and when I made my decision and was ready to check out. I was then given a side bar during my check out to look at 5 more types of black boots that didn't initially come up in my first searches. Now, instead of checking out, I was spending more time debating my initial purchase instead of actually checking out with my purchase. While it increased my time on the site to look at more variety, it delayed my purchasing decision and made me question what else I might have missed. I almost didn't buy the boots I was ready to buy because I was taken down the rabbit hole of distraction. In the photography world, this might be like showing several different flush mount album providers at the same price point and creating client decision distraction, rather than picking the best one for your workflow and business and only making the client decisions about what kind of cover it should have.
Example 3: Showing Products That Aren't Available
Isn't it the worst when you get to a restaurant and see a special or a dish you really like, only to have a server tell you it's no longer available? Doh!! Now we're beginning our experience with a disappointment about what's not available and doubting how many other things may not actually be available. Make sure that any visual or price list you offer a client is current with the actual products you sell. Trust is a huge factor in feeling good about a purchasing decision and it's important to make sure our offerings build trust rather than undermine it.
What Can You Improve?
Now that I've shared several distracting sales experiences, take a moment to consider the full sales experience your client has with your products and your services. Are are you building confidence or confusion? How can you improve the experience for the client?
Anne Ruthmann is a professional photographer in New York City. With over 10 years of success as a full-time photographer in weddings, portraits, editorial, and now architecture and interiors, she spends any extra time she has helping others find smart solutions to business problems. Stay in touch on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Example 1: Sharing Information in a Public Sharing Platform
I was invited by a service provider to view a price list on issu.com, an online magazine layout solution. When I got to the bottom of the price list, the platform invited me to look at other service provider price lists for the same service! So, even if I was sold on my first choice, now I was being given many other choices to take me into the rabbit hole of comparison and being completely taken away from my original intent of working with a specific service provider. Make sure that how you're sharing your information with clients who are ready to make a decision isn't a place that invites them to compare other services.
Example 2: Showing 5 More Options for The Same Item
I was searching for a pair of boots on Zappos.com and when I made my decision and was ready to check out. I was then given a side bar during my check out to look at 5 more types of black boots that didn't initially come up in my first searches. Now, instead of checking out, I was spending more time debating my initial purchase instead of actually checking out with my purchase. While it increased my time on the site to look at more variety, it delayed my purchasing decision and made me question what else I might have missed. I almost didn't buy the boots I was ready to buy because I was taken down the rabbit hole of distraction. In the photography world, this might be like showing several different flush mount album providers at the same price point and creating client decision distraction, rather than picking the best one for your workflow and business and only making the client decisions about what kind of cover it should have.
Example 3: Showing Products That Aren't Available
Isn't it the worst when you get to a restaurant and see a special or a dish you really like, only to have a server tell you it's no longer available? Doh!! Now we're beginning our experience with a disappointment about what's not available and doubting how many other things may not actually be available. Make sure that any visual or price list you offer a client is current with the actual products you sell. Trust is a huge factor in feeling good about a purchasing decision and it's important to make sure our offerings build trust rather than undermine it.
What Can You Improve?
Now that I've shared several distracting sales experiences, take a moment to consider the full sales experience your client has with your products and your services. Are are you building confidence or confusion? How can you improve the experience for the client?
Anne Ruthmann is a professional photographer in New York City. With over 10 years of success as a full-time photographer in weddings, portraits, editorial, and now architecture and interiors, she spends any extra time she has helping others find smart solutions to business problems. Stay in touch on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
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