The way that I do my shopping has changed a lot over the last few years. In the past I would browse through items at the store and then make my selection. Now, when I have something I want I research it online. And it doesn’t have to be a major purchase. I was looking for a doll that goes to the bathroom to use with Hailey for potty training. So, rather than just run out and buy one I looked at the reviews that others have done on these dolls. And of course, for larger ticket purchases we do the same thing- we did it for the DVD camcorder we recently bought, the new TV we bought, the laptop I got last year at Christmas time and we’re doing this now for the laptop Rich is looking into buying.
I think advertisers must realize how important it is to have happy customers talking online about their products. People post on their blogs about things they love and things they hate. They talk in online forums and leave reviews when they make purchases online. I was reading an article today about how this is the Missing Link Marketing- and I think the article is right on. Companies need to make everyone happy with their purchases because they just never know who might have a popular blog with lots of readers who will be finding out what an average person thinks of a product.
How about you? How has your shopping changed with all of the information out there on the Internet so accessible?
