Running head: ESSAY 1
ESSAY 2
Introduction:
All types of businesses are growing at a much faster rate and pace. As the existing businesses are progressing rapidly, there is constant inclusion of newer ones in the market which not only poses significant competition for the existing business but are also considered substantial threats to the businesses. In order to stay in business as well as in the top position, the companies and businesses leave no stone unturned to market and make their products better than the other in the market for the customers (Anckar, 2002).
For this purpose, there is constant need for the companies to keep improving and upgrading their system and set-ups. This process can take up a lot of resources of the company, however effective implementation of newer and better policies can also result in massive popularity and growth of the company as well. Peopod.com is a website that provides grocery items to their customers that are delivered on their footsteps. It has been regarded as one of the most famous grocery website that provides its users a friendly environment as well as smart deals through which customers not only save their time but also benefit in attaining financial savings through the special offers.
Building an Online Presence
The work that is being executed by peopod.com in terms of the provision of services is very good and profitable however, there is still room for improvement and betterment. The newer, emerging websites for shopping purposes are made with more glamour and color that ultimately attract more customers. Therefore, certain actions need to be taken by peopod.com in order to gain a more powerful and significant online presence which can help the company and the website to attain a higher status and earn more revenue.
One of the most basic thing that needs to be done is the advertisement of the website on a number of blogs and other regularly visited sites including social media websites. People are always using social media websites, and any new offer or promotion offered by the company can be put on the social media site that can help bring the traffic to the actual website. Attractive offers in the form of adds need to be added in a variety of websites, so that a single click could get users to the peopod.com website. There are several other marketing mechanisms that can be used by the company in order to increase its customer flow including the use of television adverts, pamphlets or billboards. These elements can be a great help and assistance to the website in attaining the online presence that it wants and deserves (Ghosh, 1997).
Analysis of the website
The website peopod.com is very user friendly and does not cause any problem for the existing as well as new customers. Even for the first timers, the website is very easy to handle with all of its features mentioned on the front of the website. In addition to proper aisles, there are several options for the discount or special offer services that take the customers directly to the region from where they can get same products in lesser amount. Similarly, all of the products and fruits that are listed on the website are fresh and hand picked ones.
The one problem with the website that is rather unfriendly and can cause problem for the customers as well as the company is the delivery services. Although, the delivery service provided by the website covers most of the region, however there are still certain regions where it has not been operated yet, making it difficult for the customers to utilize the services provided by peopod.com
Recommendations for data capturing
There are a number of ways through which sales in the business can be improved. One tried and tested manner is reducing the amount of the products through which most people would get to know about the website and the service it provides and they would ultimately start using the website for other grocery shopping as well. Other than this, the website can offer special coupon and offers to the newly jointed customers in order to built their trust in the service. They should not only be provided with coupons to shop but special discount should be given to them for product delivery as well.
Even though, peopod.com offers coupons and discounts to their customers on their first shopping experience with the company, but these should be regularly done in order to keep the customers happy and satisfied with the services of the company.
Addition of a company-sponsored blog
The addition of a company sponsored blog would be of significant important in the marketing as well as sustenance of the website. The blogs provide a medium for the customers where they can come and gain knowledge about several issues and aspect of their daily lives. Company sponsored blog would work efficiently for the company where the blogs can be regulated on daily or weekly basis. All of the fresh fruits that are sold through the website, in the blog their medical benefits and proper usage can be stated would not only interest the people in reading the blog or article but they would even get interested in buying the food item after knowing about its benefits. Similarly, a health as well as recipes section can be setup in the blog that would not only bring more traffic and customers to the blog but will also help the company gain more profit and revenue and impact people through the services that they provide.
References
Anckar, B., Walden, P., & Jelassi, T. (2002). Creating customer value in online grocery shopping. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 30(4), 211-220.
Ghosh, S. (1997). Making business sense of the Internet. Harvard business review, 76(2), 126-135.
Teece, D. J. (2010). Business models, business strategy and innovation. Long range planning, 43(2), 172-194.