What do you think of the new on line spokespersons that greet you when you visit a web site?

Question

What is an online spokesperson? They are like a Host or a Hostess that greets you in restaurant. They are custom-scripted professional male or female actors that greet people when they visit a website, they automatically appear on a viewer’s computer screen when they visit a website, say hello and welcome them to the site, thus giving a business owner the opportunity to deliver a 30 to 45 second presentation about your business.

Answer 1

I don't like it... AT all...

Answer 2

My opinion is that they are the wave of the future, as speeds increase on the internet so does the ability to implement rich media. Of course as with everything that a company does it has to match their personality, offerings and expectations the customer has for a certain product, but that is, in my mind, self evident. What I see is the rise in online spokespeople and an increase in their interactivity. We'll probably get to the stage where each spokeperson will be exclusive to a product or business.

We are comming from a generation of TV. If someone had predicted back in 1990 that most people would spend their time reading about products/services and companies they would be laughed at. I feel the "novelty" of reading will be soon be over, I know I have gotten pretty tired of it. So inorder to engage visitors companies are going to have to start "talking" to them and showing them videos. Its just a matter of time before we return to our "mind numbing" ways.

Answer 3

They work for some businesses but not for others. I was "greeted" by a hostess at a local car dealer's website (sorry but I cannot remember the URL) and it worked... horribly!

I was shopping for a luxury German motorcar (I only use the term so you can image the level of "high-end" I was expecting) and was greeted by a [virtual] "used car salesgirl".

I expected pre-owned showcasing and I got used-car lot. For someone about to put down $50k on a pre-owned car, you've got to go all the way.

Too bad. I'm sure it cost them a pretty penny to not only integrate, but also to get me to their site only to leave before I even saw their inventory.

I could've actually bought from them and been a happy satisfied customer but I just couldn't trust them. My mind would've been wondering if I bought a "lemon" for the entire time I own the car. First impressions are important!

The same hostess if I was looking for a "dually" or an American sports car would've been spot on but in my case, they sourly missed the bulls-eye.

Bottom line, if you're thinking of using a "host / hostess", make sure it matches for business. It's nice but not everyone is a fan. Make sure your target market are fans and that they see it as something they'd expect from a provider of whatever it is you offer.

Best!