Comments on: The Social Aspect Of Online Retail http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/ Paul M. Banas on Consumer Insights, Marketing Research, and the Digital Media Landscape Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:29:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: The Influence of Reviews http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-703 The Influence of Reviews Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:15:13 +0000 http://www.insightbuzz.com/?p=121#comment-703 [...] There’s a lot of great buzz around consumer reviews lately, as more market researchers and retailers see the benefits of giving customers a public voice. I had a great exchange of ideas recently with Paul M. Banas who writes a top content marketing blog Insight Buzz on the topics of consumer reviews and social elements of online retail. [...] [...] There’s a lot of great buzz around consumer reviews lately, as more market researchers and retailers see the benefits of giving customers a public voice. I had a great exchange of ideas recently with Paul M. Banas who writes a top content marketing blog Insight Buzz on the topics of consumer reviews and social elements of online retail. [...]

]]> By: Paul M. Banas http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-695 Paul M. Banas Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:07:42 +0000 http://www.insightbuzz.com/?p=121#comment-695 @robojiannis Your already seeing it, and while it generally has networking at its core, it comes in many different variations. Things such as <a href="http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/01/21/generating-brand-engagement-with-viral-games/" rel="nofollow">Alternate Reality Games</a> and <a href="http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/01/17/nike-and-engagement-advertising/" rel="nofollow">Nike+</a> are basically large scale and very complicated ads. I also think to be Web 2.0, they have to provide some value to a consumer. Just talking at someone with an ad, even if its online, is still very much traditional (and not Web 2.0) marketing. Good to hear from you again. BTW, very cool new look for your website! @robojiannis
Your already seeing it, and while it generally has networking at its core, it comes in many different variations. Things such as Alternate Reality Games and Nike+ are basically large scale and very complicated ads.

I also think to be Web 2.0, they have to provide some value to a consumer. Just talking at someone with an ad, even if its online, is still very much traditional (and not Web 2.0) marketing.

Good to hear from you again. BTW, very cool new look for your website!

]]> By: robojiannis http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-692 robojiannis Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:56:15 +0000 http://www.insightbuzz.com/?p=121#comment-692 would this mean, that we should also expect web 2.0-like advertising? we are witnessing it in a sense, but I wonder if it would expand into something beyond networking. would this mean, that we should also expect web 2.0-like advertising?
we are witnessing it in a sense, but I wonder if it would expand into something beyond networking.

]]> By: shammara http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-631 shammara Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:49:35 +0000 http://www.insightbuzz.com/?p=121#comment-631 Yeah, I agree. On forums like dpreview, mtbr, etc. you'll find the most passionate users offering great advice. Probably why Amazon bought dpreview, since both types of buying advice is needed and created by different types of people. I'm curious as to which review sites you typically go to? If at all.. Yeah, I agree. On forums like dpreview, mtbr, etc. you’ll find the most passionate users offering great advice. Probably why Amazon bought dpreview, since both types of buying advice is needed and created by different types of people.

I’m curious as to which review sites you typically go to? If at all..

]]> By: Paul M. Banas http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-630 Paul M. Banas Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:41:24 +0000 http://www.insightbuzz.com/?p=121#comment-630 @Shammara I think you are right, that some dynamic communities can arise in niche social shopping sites. When I was in the market for a new DSLR, I found sites such as Digital Photography Review and Nikonians to be invaluable. The give and take on some esoteric topics was great. But I also found one stop shop aggregators (such as Buzzillions.com) to be great ways to link reviews and great prices from across the web, all in one place. I think a role for both will always exists @Shammara
I think you are right, that some dynamic communities can arise in niche social shopping sites. When I was in the market for a new DSLR, I found sites such as Digital Photography Review and Nikonians to be invaluable. The give and take on some esoteric topics was great.

But I also found one stop shop aggregators (such as Buzzillions.com) to be great ways to link reviews and great prices from across the web, all in one place. I think a role for both will always exists

]]> By: shammara http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-627 shammara Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:36:32 +0000 http://www.insightbuzz.com/?p=121#comment-627 That's an interesting point, however I can't really imagine a world of every online retailer turning into a social networking site. It seems people do want to get in and get out fast, and get the best product for the best price. Not necessarily stick around, make friends, talk about and exchange recommendations for products. Though, in certain niche social shopping sites like Kaboodle,ThisNext, it seems to attract that crowd. People on Amazon and other sites that offer reviews (like our site, Buzzillions.com), are guiding each other on what to buy through reviews. We offer a 'review snapshot' which is essentially a summary of all the reviews, showing the pros/cons/ and best uses for the product. But who knows, perhaps better social tools and discussion forums will be more available for the passionate users within shopping verticals.. That’s an interesting point, however I can’t really imagine a world of every online retailer turning into a social networking site. It seems people do want to get in and get out fast, and get the best product for the best price. Not necessarily stick around, make friends, talk about and exchange recommendations for products. Though, in certain niche social shopping sites like Kaboodle,ThisNext, it seems to attract that crowd.

People on Amazon and other sites that offer reviews (like our site, Buzzillions.com), are guiding each other on what to buy through reviews. We offer a ‘review snapshot’ which is essentially a summary of all the reviews, showing the pros/cons/ and best uses for the product.

But who knows, perhaps better social tools and discussion forums will be more available for the passionate users within shopping verticals..

]]> By: Paul M. Banas http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-624 Paul M. Banas Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:00:33 +0000 http://www.insightbuzz.com/?p=121#comment-624 @ron I agree with your prediction, and the online retailers who lever this will be the ones who pull away from the rest of the pack. @ron
I agree with your prediction, and the online retailers who lever this will be the ones who pull away from the rest of the pack.

]]> By: Paul M. Banas http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-623 Paul M. Banas Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:57:55 +0000 http://www.insightbuzz.com/?p=121#comment-623 @Shammara Good question. I actually think it's a continuum, with the latter being the more social, since it feels more like a true exchange of communication between actual people. Recommendations from Amazon's shopper algorithmns are more like social segmentations and provide social validation, versus a true community. That's not to say that shoppers don't value what they provide, it's just different than true peer feedback. @Shammara
Good question. I actually think it’s a continuum, with the latter being the more social, since it feels more like a true exchange of communication between actual people.

Recommendations from Amazon’s shopper algorithmns are more like social segmentations and provide social validation, versus a true community. That’s not to say that shoppers don’t value what they provide, it’s just different than true peer feedback.

]]> By: ron http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-620 ron Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:38:53 +0000 http://www.insightbuzz.com/?p=121#comment-620 In the next 2-5 years we will see more and more social aspects in the online shopping with tremendous influence on viral marketing and long term relationships. It doesn't make sense to shop "alone" and to make the entire buying cycle "alone". In the next 2-5 years we will see more and more social aspects in the online shopping with tremendous influence on viral marketing and long term relationships. It doesn’t make sense to shop “alone” and to make the entire buying cycle “alone”.

]]> By: shammara http://www.insightbuzz.com/2008/07/21/the-social-aspect-of-online-retail/comment-page-1/#comment-618 shammara Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:04:43 +0000 http://www.insightbuzz.com/?p=121#comment-618 Great overview. What do you think people consider are social features? Is it cross-selling like on Amazon.."people who liked this also liked.." etc. Or is it forums, yelp-type profiles, etc. Great overview. What do you think people consider are social features? Is it cross-selling like on Amazon..”people who liked this also liked..” etc. Or is it forums, yelp-type profiles, etc.

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