StartupSmart web site recently has posted an article “Is there any start-up mileage left in the group buying model?” with the reference to Altima Interactive.
The article, written by Alexandra Cain, explains the group buying model, analyzes the current state of the market and cites experts opinion, including Altima Interactive founder Alex Levashov (aka myself).
Google announced web site preview in search result
In the nearest days the biggest search engine, Google, plans to launch new feature: to show preview of web sites in the search results.
Experts predict that this change increase the importance of web site design, since users will see how web site looks before the visit.
Google expect that this feature improve users satisfaction from search and can help them find what they want more efficiently.
Right now function is optional, but you can turn it on from http://www.google.ru/landing/instantpreviews/
My personal use show that so far the feature is quite raw, previews are often long to load and blurry, maybe it will be better after official launch.
Australian group buying web sites comparative analysis report is published
The research announced in our previous post is ready! You will find the way to download the full report (17 pages PDF file) at the end of the post.
Key findings (extracts from the report)
The chart below shows the volume of the deals that 5 group buying web sites reported for the period of the research (01 Sep to 25 Oct 2010):
Continue reading “Australian group buying web sites comparative analysis report is published”
Who is the biggest player on the hot group buying market in Australia? Comparative research.
After the phenomenal success of GroupOn, new group buying (group purchasing) web sites had started to appear virtually every day. It is extremely hot trend and even in Australia we have many of them. One day I asked myself, who is the leader of this market? Who close deals more often, attract more consumers and get highest volume of the transaction? So when I got some spare time, I conducted a small research to answer this questions and find out more insights.
How can you lose 8 out of 10 customers? Just have a poor web site
Recent researches show that 8 our of 10 customers will look for alternative if find that company’s web site is inadequate. Even more interesting, 30% of customers indicated that will stop to do the business with such company completely.
Same time, just 35% of companies have a web site and only 18% developed some digital strategy and just 13% issue newsletter or have a blog.
I am not sure, is it good or bad news. From the one hand, it’s clear that most Australian businesses failed to pass online test. From the other hand, it is also clear that those who put some efforts to their online strategy can often easily get an advantage and stand out from less Internet savvy competitors crowd.
Acknowledgements
To see full text and reference to researches, check Smart Startup
Thanks to Dan Norris from Web Circle for pointing me to this article.
Smart Company Web Awards 2010
Popular online resource for entrepreneurs, small and medium business owners and business managers “Smart Company” announced the winners of their 2nd annual Web Award competition. There were more than 160 contestats and quality of web sites submitted much improved since last year.
So, who are the happy winners? Here is a list:
- Best website (under 20 staff): RedBubble
- Best website (over 20 staff): Baker’s Delight
- Best eCommerce site: Supré
- Best search strategy: Retail Me Not
- Best design: Baker’s Delight
- Best use of social media: Globetrooper
- Best blog: Digital Buzz
I encourage you to visit Smart Company web site to read detailed information about competition, winners and why they won. You can also download there free e-book with tips how to build good web site.
Link: http://www.smartcompany.com.au/internet/20100813-meet-the-winners-of-the-web-awards-2010.html