Getting the most out of the Web
News and information travels even faster with the Internet
By Sara Procknow -- Industrial Distribution, 11/1/1998
While the Web is seen as a huge tool for electronic commerce, some people might be missing the basic fact that the Internet is first and foremost a huge educational tool.Because of the ability to update a Web site at the blink of an eye, distributors and manufacturers can issue corporate news, integrated supply information and even the latest product announcements.
What's even better is that distributors can jump on the Web site of their key manufacturers and obtain instant information on products, pricing and stocking availability. I often hear distributors say customers from around the country and around the world are finding out about them by searching for "bearing distributors," for example, on the Web.
And, because of the timeliness of the Web, it also allows Industrial Distribution to expand the normal services we provide our readers. Our magazine comes out once a month. Our Web site is updated every day. And, we provide online coverage of some of the industry's biggest events.
Another benefit of the timeliness of the Web is the ability to track stock prices, whether they be personal investments, or just checking the pulse of the industry.
Down the road, Industrial Distribution Online has plans to offer its own index of distribution and manufacturing stocks, right on our home page. So, at a glance, when you visit ID's site, you'll be able to see how the industry is performing.
One of the more exciting parts of my job occurs when we cover the major tradeshows with live reports. From National Manufacturing Week in March, ASMMA/I.D.A. spring and fall conventions to the STAFDA show, our site becomes a virtual tradeshow. Each day, our editors report on the various workshops, guest speakers, events and other news happening at these shows.
What's the benefit of online coverage? First, it is to report on industry news and business events happening at these tradeshows. Second, it is to promote the associations and their conventions. And third, many distributors and manufacturers are unable to attend tradeshows for financial reasons or scheduling conflicts. This way, by logging onto ID Online, they can go through the show and catch the news or a workshop they would have missed. And, finally, after the show, users can return to our site to find out what happened at the events they couldn't make while they were at the show.
The Web allows the timeliness that a print issue sometimes cannot give. You know the feeling. You just finished your company's latest-and-greatest product catalog, only to find out your best manufacturer comes out with a whole new product line. What do you do? Put the additions up on your Web site, of course. The same holds true for our magazine.
The Web is also not limited to the number of pages you can produce. You can expand on product specials and obsolete inventory promotions. At ID, we can expand on ideas and events by simply linking or jumping to the next page. Not so with a print magazine, where you may be limited to the number of pages a story can run. So, a good Web site can give the bigger events extended, live coverage. This is what we try to do with the bigger tradeshows, like ASMMA/I.D.A. and STAFDA.
Just like when you can't meet with a customer face-to-face, the Web can give that buyer up-to-the minute information, so your Web site can act as a virtual salesperson, marketing manager and showroom all rolled into one.
So, if you can't make it to one of the tradeshows this fall, simply log on to www.inddist.com, and we'll bring the STAFDA and ASMMA/I.D.A. conventions to you.
Think about how you can use the timeliness of the Internet to make an impact on your Web site and, in turn, with your customers.
Send your comments to Sara Procknow at sprocknow@cahners.com, or call (617) 558-4289.
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