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Posts: 331
Location: San Angelo, Texas | More detailed info on each guitar...and up to date would be nice...
The round bowl deathstar with lasers is a good idea, too... |
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October 2005
Posts: 4073
Location: Utah | I'd like to see the secret OFC login page where we can order O's for half price, factory direct. |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | This is a personal favorite topic of mine.
I teach a class at the Omaha Chamber of Commerce called "Internet Marketing for Small Business Growth". I use the Ovation web site in several instances as an example of what NOT to do. It really is just terrible! I don't know the folks involved, so I don't know what their issues are. But the difference between what they have and what they should have would cost probably no more than $10k, tops.
As to specific features, lots and lots and lots more content on the guitars themselves. Start with tons of high resolution photos. Don't worry about bandwidth. Give me DETAILS! I want to be able to see everything.
And how about leveraging this group some? I'll bet it would be easy for Ovation to get some volunteers from this group to put together little sample videos for each guitar. Talk about its features. Talk about what makes it special. Show how the pre-amp works. Play a few licks. Have a high-resolution MP3 file next to the video in case people want to really HEAR the guitar.
For a lot of us, we are lucky if our dealer has more than two or three US made ovations in stock at any given time. I would, for example, really like to hear a good demo of the new VIP pre-amp. That shouldn't be too hard to put together. Do it during the annual OFC Factory Tour, and kill two birds with one stone.
Hey, Ovation, throw a few guitars at me and I'll put all this together for you, no charge! |
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October 2005
Posts: 4073
Location: Utah | ^ what he said!
I still can't figure out the difference between the different models. Sometimes it's the quality of the wood, sometimes it's just a newer model, or a different preamp, or something. It would be nice if they could clearly differentiate between the models, at least in a general sense. It isn't even clear from the website which models are higher on the price scale than others. It would be nice to be able to reference a known model and then look at the next model up in the line, or the next model down.
It just isn't clear or obvious.
The MP3 files would be great, as would the detailed pictures. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | a link to this website?
a fan page showing ovation users with the favorite guitar, include nick name and location? |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
"In this day and age it takes SO little effort and expense to maintain a thoroughly modern and professional website. There is no excuse not to do it."
That is probably one of the biggest myths perpetrated on the Internet and why there are so many very very bad websites. Miles, I disagree. I know it's only one example but my company (I just work there, I don't own it) does 3.5 billion annually in revenue and we have exactly TWO people working full time to maintain the corporate website. I'm not going to do the math, but that's a VERY small percentage investment and the website is very well done. The site is uploaded with fresh content at least once per week.
I do agree that there are some really bad corporate websites out there. But I would not say it is because it is overly complex or expensive to have a good one.
I'll take some crap for saying this, BUT ... I think the Martin website is really nice. It's extremely easy to navigate and tells me everything I could possibly want to know about every model. The detailed specifications are just amazing. And every guitar has detailed photos from all angles. I just think it's really well done. And I'll bet that on a percent of revenue basis, they invest very little on it.
Dave |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
That is probably one of the biggest myths perpetrated on the Internet and why there are so many very very bad websites. It depends...
The hard thing about web design is that everyone in the company thinks they know how to do it. Web projects get lost in a sea of meetings and disagreements.
The reality is, good web design really is pretty easy. And for a fairly simple site like Ovation's (simple, meaning there is no eCommerce...its just an electronic brochure) you could put a great version together in a couple of months (figure about 500 hours, and that's generous) and then maintain it with no more than 10 hours per week. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7237
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Now that's assuming, and I'm just speculating that the person that does the Ovation site isn't the same person that does ALL of the Kaman sites (I think there are about 24) and the internal sites AND it might not be his only job. I'm just say'n :)
It's easy to armchair quarterback when we don't know the whole story.
Of course there's the "practical" theory that if you are already selling as much of an item as you can make, to the point where you are back-ordered or near back-ordered most of the time, then should a website be a priority. Again, speculation on my part totally. |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | a link to this website?
a fan page showing ovation users with the favorite guitar, include nick name and location?
and scare them away? |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | To have "Official" comments occasionally to clear confusion and dispell wrong information would not be an arm of the marketing dept. Could turn into that so just make sure it doesn't
I hear comments that the Kaymen sites aren't updated and hard to understand, etc. Probably true, I never look at them. It takes money for this and the focus there is the next quarter's earnings, not market share. That said I'll bet there are tons of companies that are just as bad if not worse |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Originally posted by cwk2:
It takes money for this and the focus there is the next quarter's earnings, not market share. That said I'll bet there are tons of companies that are just as bad if not worse That's certainly true. There are still some appalling web sites out there.
I know absolutely nothing about the sales and distribution channels that Ovation/Kaman uses, other than it seems like a traditional, multi-level distribution setup. The root cause of the Ovation web site's problems are probably found right there. It is pretty hard to get excited about web marketing when you are the distributor as well as the manufacturer. There is too much opportunity to canabilize your existing channel.
All the same, I still think they could do much better, and not compromize their distribution system or their dealers. I don't know what it is like in other local markets, but around here I have far more "on the wall" selection of Taylors and Martins (not to mention countless lower priced brands) than I do Ovations. Ovation could use the web to close that gap.
Maybe I have this all wrong. Maybe Ovation is moving all the product it can make, and has no desire to increase unit sales volume. Even then, a better web strategy could help to improve revenue and customer value perception. |
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April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | Originally posted by Joyful Noise:
Originally posted by schroeder:
Bare nekkid ladies would be good.  |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I am in agreement about wanting to have more photos of earlier models included with the archives section, and the custom shop examples would really be impressive too. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7237
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by Omaha:
Maybe I have this all wrong. Maybe Ovation is moving all the product it can make, and has no desire to increase unit sales volume. Even then, a better web strategy could help to improve revenue and customer value perception. I'm guessing this is pretty close. Again it's armchair management, but I think they rely on their vendors to sell the product. There are a lot of "it sure would be nice" stuff to have on any website, but that's not the focus. When you are talking 24+ websites to cover their products (visit www.KamanMusic.com ) even a few grand per site adds up, not to mention the time. I mean seriously, it's one thing for us to take a picture of a guitar for eBay, but to actually take a full detail professional photo is not an easy task. Even with a jig figure one hour per instrument. It's not just taking the picture. The setup and adjusting the lights, tuners, angle etc, averages about 30 minutes. Not to mention any photoshop work or the fact that the logistics of getting the actual guitar to photograph takes time. You can't just use ANY guitar off the line for this sort of thing... It needs to be the best example possible. It's easier with Ovations due to the build quality, but perfect grain patterns and such... lots of work no matter how you slice it.
I don't know the numbers and don't profess too, but the few times I have been to the Factory it seemed they were doing their best to just keep up with demand. As one store owner told me about why he never has any USA Ovations on the wall... He said he does, but they are only there a couple of days and then they are sold. So until his next batch comes in, which are usually pre-sold anyway, there aren't any on the wall. |
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Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Just waitin`for the next picture.... :eek: |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | So if they are near or at their production level:
Would I prefer that they make more at the risk of lowering quality?
Should I hope on them increasing the price so that there will be more on the walls in the Music Store?
If they actually commanded the awe and respect in the market place I feel they deserve would I be able to afford them?
Reality kind of sucks!
How about opening up a Factory in the Great Northwest so that production could increase without placing too much burden on quality and I'd have a place to bring Krispy Kremes to and kiss up for spare guitar parts? It could start by manufacturing a different model or signature line of Ovations.
What was that T5 competitor that nobody's talking about? :rolleyes: |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Don't know, no one is talking about it... :D |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I bet if Ovation had NO website, it would not effect their sales one single bit. Dave |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | :confused: I bought Ovation guitars,discovered Ovation website,then discovered there is a factory...what `s next.. :D |
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September 2006
Posts: 54
Location: Kingston Ontario | I would like to hear more tech talk...types of amps folks use etc.
Kaman now owns or is in partnership with Genz Benz out in Arizona. How about some feedback from users.
Jack cords can alter your sound. How about some input from the manufactures.
Feedback can be a big problem. I know Baggs has a solution because I purchase their Feedback Master. You don't have to put up with a howling guitar at a gig.
And by the way, The Bare Naked Ladies are a fantastic Canadian Band that has appeared on Farm Aid, SNL and other venues.
This is a great web site.
Tom (from the Great White North) |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Check out the Rickenbacker website. VERY NICE.
http://www.rickenbacker.com/ |
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | I gotta disagree with you Tup. I never cared for the Ric site. |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | I bet if Ovation had NO website, it would not effect their sales one single bit. Dave Maybe, but as an aside...
IMHO, if there was no OFC, OvationGallery, OvationTribute, etc., might be less new Adamas/Ovation guitars sold. |
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June 2006
Posts: 659
Location: Hiram, Georgia | It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it! |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
I gotta disagree with you Tup. I never cared for the Ric site. What don't you like? It has:
Photos and COMPLETE specs
Great history
Archive of catalogs
Archive of models
Great factory photos
Parts catalog
Online shopping for parts and accesories
Galleries of famous guitars and customs
Their own online forum
What's not to like?
Maybe it's just my pesonal tase, but I think it's very well done, classy, simple, and complete. I think Moody just likes to disagree with me for the heck of it.
Dave |
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What would you like to see on the O site?
