Keep Customers Happy!!

Okay, there's a whole slew of problems in shopping here in sl. I won't even begin to talk about bib and resell stuff.

From what i've learned in rl, having a successful business is dependant on happy customers. Keeping customers happy in sl is something that has seem to be overlooked. Even before you get to a store, you have to search thru the classifieds or events and hope that what is described to u is what u find.

The first thing a customer encounters when teleporting to your store is the landing point. So many malls and businesses these days have a central landing point which may or may not be in close proximity to the store they desire. The customer is left to wade thru a miriage of advertisements and other retail operations with the hope of finding the store they desired. Is this the way to attract customers to your store? I don't think so. I know it's all about promoting the other businesses and wanting the customers to see the whole mall, but geez, if i'm looking for a particular shoe store, i'd like to be able to tp directly to it. I'll check out the rest of the mall, but on my own time and when i've accomplished what i came for. In the world settings, you can choose between having a central landing point or having the landing point anywhere. This allows each store or business to set their own landmark. I do this in my mall and anywhere where there is more than one business or purpose for being there. I believe customers will be happier if they find what they want right away and are apt to spend more time if they don't have to search endlessy.

Some malls have put a tp system at the landing point in order to allow customers to tp to the store they desire. First, with sl problems evident, it sometimes takes a while for the directory to rez and once in a while not at all. Again, i believe this is done to promote the mall itself and other biz located there. As I said previously, non frustrated customers are more apt to look around. Besides, you've tp'd once already to get to the mall, why the need to tp again?

Quite often I've tp'd to a location and searched for the store i wanted and ended up leaving without finding it. That's not the way to get repeat customers.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to promote yours and other businesses in a mall. But take it easy on your customers. Having landing points at each store makes it easier to find what you are looking for, and you can always have a directory or other promotional material near the landing point for them to see. I do a lot of promotion in my mall and have ads and notecard givers throughout the mall and stores. I don't bombard my customers with material when they enter. Upon entering, they of course get the free gifts offered, but are then given a chance to roam and browse before encountering advertisements and promotions.

I think you have to remember why customers are coming to your store or mall. If they searched for shoes or any particular item, that's what they want to see. To block them from that for any length of time will certainly drive them away. If a customer can come to your store and deal with their particular search right away, they are more apt to return again. If they don't see the rest of the mall on their first visit, they most certianly will on return visits. And isn't that what it's all about, having customers return.

It is frustrating enough with the problems offered by sl to have to encounter more offered by business owners. We have to remember what is successful in rl and use or adapt it for use here. Business owners are limited in what they can do here to promote their business, so we have to make sure that what we have done, works, and works in a way that keeps our customers happy.

Have quality products, an appealing store and happy happy customers goes a long way to success.

Ciao for now

Jenny