High-end jewelry retailers such as Cartier, Harry Winston, and ...

[mspears3]

High-end jewelry retailers such as Cartier, Harry Winston, and Tiffany often use Adobes Flash software to create their Web sites. In about 200 words, present three arguments for and three arguments against the use of Flash animations in sites such as these. Consider the retailers objectives, the characteristics of the products being sold, and the type of customers who visit these sites.

Question 2

You have been hired as a consultant by your local town newspaper, the Midland Clarion. Midland is a small town of about 10,000 residents. The Clarion has seen its paid subscription list decline steadily over the past 10 years, but the number of visitors to the newspapers Web site, which currently includes all of the stories that run in the paper, has steadily increased over the same time period. The Clarions publisher is considering charging an annual subscription fee for access to the editorials and columns on the Web site.
   
  Under this plan, the Clarions classified and display advertising, along with short summaries of top news stories, would continue to be available at no cost. Prepare a report of about 100 words in which you assess the risks of switching to this advertising-subscription mixed revenue model for the Clarion. You may also include a discussion of other revenue models that might work for the newspaper.

[bblaney]

Answer to Question 1

Advantages

• The animation features of Flash allow it to convey messages in a much more efficient and effective way.


• The first impression of a Flash site can be awe inspiring. Usually Flash sites open with Flash intros  short, animated films on the site  which results in a more professional look. If you add relevant background music, you can make a good first impression and convert visitors into browsers.

Disadvantages

• Users have to wait longer than usual to load Flash content; some visitors may lose their patience and click the Back button.


• Most search engines are not able to index Flash content.


• Visitors to the site will have to download the Flash player.

Answer to Question 2

Advantages:

• Predictable and constant revenue stream from subscribers


• Reduces business risk


• Provides payment in advance


• More committed customer base


• Potential exists to cross-sell other services

Disadvantages:

• Upfront payment may prevent some customers from signing up


• Privacy issue is a concern as the subscription model allows businesses to gather a large amount of information from its customers