Eco 550
You may have heard about goods being classified as either a search or an experience good. The concept is not new, and was actually developed by American economist Philip Nelson. These classifications provide a working distinction between different types of products and services.
If you like/need examples of Nelson’s classifications, here are some.
Paper (notebook, copier, etc.) is a search good. Paper products can be easily be compared and evaluated prior to purchase.
Commodities are search goods.
A restaurant is, usually, an experience good.
A theme park is an experience good.
An experience good requires a user to actually experience the product/service to be able to evaluate it. This can include eating at a restaurant, sitting on a chair, or walking through a haunted house.
The Internet and search and experience goods.
The Internet presents a great opportunity for businesses with experience goods (restaurants, bars, dance clubs, theme parks, etc.) to take, and showcase, their experience online.
Not only will it reduce uncertainty amongst first-time users, but it can tap into people’s emotions, thereby creating a stronger bond.
Here is a restaurant Web site that, in my opinion, leverages the power of the Internet to create an experience while having a rather basic Web site.
Here is a great pizza place that does a terrible job of leveraging the internet to create an experience.
Disclaimer: I have been to, and would recommend, both of the restaurants above. I went to the first restaurant primarily because of its Web site. The second, not so much. « Make it easy
PR scandals and rebounds »
An economics phenomenon, a search good refers to an item or service that carries a value that can be assessed prior to any sales transaction. It is a product that gives consumers some leverage because the worth of the item can be compared and contrasted with prices at other sales providers. Retailers can use a search good to their advantage by
If you like/need examples of Nelson’s classifications, here are some.
Paper (notebook, copier, etc.) is a search good. Paper products can be easily be compared and evaluated prior to purchase.
Commodities are search goods.
A restaurant is, usually, an experience good.
A theme park is an experience good.
An experience good requires a user to actually experience the product/service to be able to evaluate it. This can include eating at a restaurant, sitting on a chair, or walking through a haunted house.
The Internet and search and experience goods.
The Internet presents a great opportunity for businesses with experience goods (restaurants, bars, dance clubs, theme parks, etc.) to take, and showcase, their experience online.
Not only will it reduce uncertainty amongst first-time users, but it can tap into people’s emotions, thereby creating a stronger bond.
Here is a restaurant Web site that, in my opinion, leverages the power of the Internet to create an experience while having a rather basic Web site.
Here is a great pizza place that does a terrible job of leveraging the internet to create an experience.
Disclaimer: I have been to, and would recommend, both of the restaurants above. I went to the first restaurant primarily because of its Web site. The second, not so much. « Make it easy
PR scandals and rebounds »
An economics phenomenon, a search good refers to an item or service that carries a value that can be assessed prior to any sales transaction. It is a product that gives consumers some leverage because the worth of the item can be compared and contrasted with prices at other sales providers. Retailers can use a search good to their advantage by