Exercise - Looking at richness and reach
Choose one of the following sites and examine in detail how it adds
richness and reach compared with a traditional alternative. You should seek
to answer the following questions:
Amazon
- started as an online bookstore, but offers CDs, Video/DVD electronic
products, games, gifts and travel services now.
- Does the online site reach audiences which could not have been
reached before? Think of an example of one of these.
Yes, I think this site does reach audiences which
could not have been reached before and I take myself as an example. Previously
to Amazon I would not buy many books, CDs or videos, they seemed so expensive
in the shops and some shops play their music so loud I cannot hear myself
think. I do buy items from Amazon though and I enjoy received my orders through
the mail.
- Identify two functions the website offers which add richness compared
with a traditional shop or service.
When ordering a book, you can browse other peoples
opinion of the book which you cannot do in a traditional shop, except asking
the shop assistant who may or may not have read the book.
After you have entered Amazon and ordered something, the site remembers
what you have ordered previously and makes suggestions as to what you might
appreciate looking at next. This is excellent and not offered in a traditional
shop.
- Can you think of a way in which further richness could be added?
This site seems to have thought of everything, there
is even a suggestions page where you can add your suggestion for further richness
and I believe this is how the site has become so comprehensive, so popular
and easy to use.
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