Any number of times, I have had co-workers, friends, neighbors, and complete strangers ask me for advice on the best computer or other electronics to get. I have even had a few Blizzard Internet clients ask for recommendations. I could never really give the advice I wanted to, though. There are so many choices and options for each type of equipment, and those choices change every six months. Staying up on the newest technology as well as the different options was almost impossible. I did my best but never really felt comfortable, pointing people to websites like CNET.com, which really never fulfilled the need. Thankfully a new website, Tech Selector, has given me a place to point people.
Tech Selector is a great use of Web 2.0 technology. It incorporates shopping, reviews, and, most importantly, advice on what will fit your needs. I did a search for television since I am in the market to buy a new one. I already knew the TV I was searching for because I have done my own painstaking research to find it. The real question was would Tech Selector find it.
After answering about five pages of questions including ones about the size, resolution and inputs, the website quickly sorted through its database and came back with the results. Low and behold, the third choice down was the one I had chosen. It also gave me a couple of other options that I wouldn’t have thought of. While there is currently not a computer selector tool, it looks like they are adding new electronics categories fairly regularly.
So, you may ask, “Why is Josh writing about some tech website instead of SEO or Google?”. Well, while I think it is a great website and offers a great service, it also fills a hole that users want. It is important to look at your website and think about what a potential customer might be looking for and what would make your site stand out from the crowd. Perhaps adding an ” Activity Selector” function to your site instead of just a list of activities would make it stand out. Maybe adding a video blog that shows you cooking your favorite recipes would do it. Perhaps everyone who stays with you wants to know how you got the Koi pond to be so clean. This would be a great time to add a “How to Keep a Clean Koi Pond” page.
Thinking outside the box and looking for things that might attract users can also attract those all important natural links, (otherwise known as link bait). It also gives potential paying customers something new, different, and useful that may make the difference between a bounce and a conversion. Lastly, it could also help with those “long tail” searches. If you have an idea for something new, call your designer or a business development manager. If it’s really unique, we’ll even write an article on it.
Josh Green – Blizzard Internet Marketing, Inc.
