Note: This column represents the opinions
of the writer and as such, is not purported as fact
|
At last,
the contents of Aardvark's "million-dollar ideas" notebook
are revealed for all to see!
|
|
According to reports in the NZ Herald and on IDG's website, a new gang
of cyber-cowboys have ridden into town.
StoresOnline have
allegedly been touting for business by offering a number of seminars on
the subject of developing e-commerce websites.
The stories written by both
Chris Barton and
Paul Brislen
do a splendid job of presenting the facts so I'm not going to repeat
it all here -- but it is important to note that the level of
what one might call "deceptive practices" in respect to pitching Net-related
products and services appears to be rising.
ING, InternetRegistry, StoresOnline - these are just three names that have,
in recent weeks, been linked to questionable marketing practices.
Other Recent Columns
If you've just discovered Aardvark, check out some of the earlier
editions by viewing
the archives or by clicking on one of
this small selection:
|
|
Okay, these aren't the first Internet cowboys we've seen here in New Zealand
but it is interesting to note that the latest set are all based offshore.
Do we, as a country, come across as so technically naive that Aussie and
American cowboys think we're an easy target for their tactics or what?
So much for the government's efforts to promote NZ as a hi-tech, knowledge-based
economy. Even though we may consider ourselves to be pretty sharp, the view
from the outside looking in might not be quite so flattering.
Clearly this misperception is starting to attract a decidedly undesirable
element to our shores and this is already beginning keeping the Commerce
Commission very busy.
What can be done to fix this sorry state of affairs I wonder?
In the wake of StoresOnline's arrival and dubious sales pitch, I've decided
to extend the feature section I'm publishing by including a piece on e-commerce.
Parts three and four of this series will be published tomorrow.
In the meantime, thanks to all those who have suggested their sites be used
as a working example of implementing the ideas I'm promoting to boost site
traffic.
It's going to take me a little while to wade through the suggestions and
evaluate the merits of each before making a decision -- but I'll announce
the "winner" next week.
Have Your Say
As always, your comments are welcomed. Please remember to select
"For Publication" if you want them included on this site.
Have your say.
Add Aardvark To Your Own Website!
Got a moment? Want a little extra fresh content for your own website or
page?
Just add a
couple of lines of JavaScript
to your pages and you can get
a free summary of Aardvark's daily commentary -- automatically updated
each and every week-day.
Aardvark also makes a summary of this daily column available via XML using
the RSS format. More details can be found
here.
Contact me if you decide to use either of these feeds and
have any problems.
Linking Policy
Want to link to this site? Check out Aardvark's
Linking Policy.
|
Did you tell someone else about Aardvark today? If not then do it
now!
|
|
| 
= open in new window