It's Clean, it's green, It's Fun, and it's Done !

The dot Com frenzy is way gone, and for the past few years the internet has been developing and growing its Utility Value. Realistic development ideas, often very expensive, aimed at Utility Value rather than Windfall Profits, have given rise to some of the Real Potential and Promise of a computer age.

Online Shopping was some of the first consumerism we saw on the Internet. While Online Shopping didn't turn out to be the Goldmine some hoped for, it is here to stay. It's easier to do than conventional Shopping. There's less walking, less driving, less gas guzzling. Shopping comparisons are one of the great User Friendly features spawned by the Internet Shopping Industry. Take a look at Cnet's Product Reviews area. Sure you get some advertising blasted at you, but in a few clicks, you also get some serious Product Ratings, Overviews, User Rated Comments, and a long list of Online Resellers listing prices and their Business rating. Conventional Shopping can't even begin to compare. In fact, the Retail Sales Business Standard MO is to shield the consumer from Price Comparisons--A profit maximizing convention. The Internet has brought about some of the best Consumer Driven conventions we have seen in many decades.

Recently, I researched a Prosumer-Cam at Cnet, had all the detailed information I needed, had price comparisons, and had made a purchasing decision inside two or three hours. That kind of research would have taken days or even weeks by Conventional Shopping methods.

I buy everything on the Internet from books, CDs, Business supplies, electronics, Software, Computers, Movie Tickets. If it can't be delivered electronically (such as software), then I let UPS deliver it. I know the Man In Brown by recognition in my neighborhood. Consider the environment friendly evolution the Internet is inviting here. I can burn $10.00 gas, and probably three hours, depending on traffic, traveling across Austin to purchase three items --or-- I can order them from my terminal in a few minutes, and let UPS spend $10.00 gas delivering thirty items to ten different locations. I get my software via electronic delivery--no mass packaging needed.

By the way, if I were giving out Awards for Business Web Sites that have evolved with the most Utility Value, UPS Internet Shipping would be at the top of my list. For Christmas packages, I can print an Official UPS Tracking Ticket, paste it only my package, and drop the package off at any UPS outlet or UPS Truck I see. I don't have to stand in that long USPS line ever again.

Some of the other Awards I would give out to Businesses that have evolved the most Online Utility Value would go to the Online Banking Industry. They were a little conservative to come out with Online Banking & Online Bill Pay (some of that had to do with security technology maturing), however, Online Banking is now so much superior to conventional Banking, at some point there may not be even a need for a Drive Through.

When I refinanced my home, at probably the all time lowest rate in the past thirty years, it took about 20 minutes, from the folks that advertised -- Eight Percent Less Paperwork, using B2B systems, it was all processed electronically. Yes!

Think about Professional Printing. Want to save Gas, Time and Money? Use an Online Printing service. Upload your stuff electronically, have it printed that way you want, and FedExed to you the next day.

As I write this, the eve of 2004, I know we are seeing only a very small percent of the Utility Value that a common networked computer age will bring about. And, I'm convinced that what it brings about will be, at least for a decade or so, far more Consumer Driven or User Driven, rather than driven by the Advertising Industry or Business Management Industry.

Web Technology by MerchantPal.com - Sophisticated Web Applications, Small Business Prices.

Delivering custom solutions for Web based businesses & Web enhanced marketing since 1996. We know web technology. If it has anything to do with Web based technology, we know about it. We offer personalized consulting, development, programming, design technology, creating server side interactive databases, Web based interactive custom programming, adaptation of web technology for sites, technology assistance for graphics designers, illustrators, writers, marketing specialists, anyone needing technical assistance with web projects.

We know how to help with your web project, we have been making custom solutions for Web based projects since 1996. Project prices range from 3 to 4 digits, based on complexity. For a Free consultation and recommendation, please drop me a note with some of the details. Rate estimates on a per job basis.

For Merchant OrderForm Shopping Cart ver 2.5 see MerchantPal.NET
To Contact Me at MerchantPal use this Email Me form.