Online Retail Benefits From Broadband Streaming Abilities

How many times have you visited a company’s convoluted website and wish there were more options available concerning the presentation or explanation of their product? A digital image is all well and good, but not all that helpful if the use of this product is problematic once it arrives, due to its three-dimensional usage not being adequately related by a two-dimensional online picture or verbal explanation. The technology available to online retailers involved in the global marketplace is growing and evolving everyday. It simply does not make sense for retailers to ignore these new and exciting advances; they must take advantage of every avenue available to them when marketing their wares.

Broadband streaming of product usage videos is a wonderful tool available to today’s retailers. If a customer considers purchasing the newest baby carrier, let’s say, from an online distributor, it would be enormously helpful to view a video showing this product in action. Several videos uploaded by the retailer would be available for streaming by would-be buyers at their convenience. An interested parent would then be able to see this product, how it is worn, assembled, and even, how to place the baby within safely. Showing a parent and child in all steps of usage would add significantly to the buyer’s confidence in not only the product but also in the manufacturer’s desire and ability to satisfy their needs. But let’s not stop there. Advances in technology would also allow for a live chat, even with video, with store personnel available to answer questions during normal business hours. A virtual face-to-face explanation and demonstration might just be that extra step that encourages the customer to “pull the trigger” on their mouse and make that purchase. In this struggling economy, every advantage possible should be employed to help that all-important bottom line. The virtual streaming product demonstration model works for a wide array of products and services from baby carriers to espresso machines. A landscape architect could show a detailed video of his or her crew enacting beautiful change upon a client’s lawn or garden, a carpenter could stream a representative video of additions or outbuilding construction to prospective clients, and a how-to guru or cooking show chef extraordinaire would be much ingratiated to this technology as a matter of outreach and education to web visitors.

Broadband technology continues to expand and grow as providers and researchers like those at Whiteblox and other firms continue to research and develop new ways to increase and establish innovation within Internet connectivity. The appropriation and implementation of these capabilities would undoubtedly serve online retailers tremendously.

About the Author: Gregory Demetriades is Chief Executive Officer of Whiteblox, a leading provider of integrated broadband video solutions.