Michelle's corner

I don't know if you're like me, but shopping for things on the internet typically goes like this...

Recently I hit a decision to re-make myself a little. I was reading an I.T. news web site and caught an article on bag reviews. They'd test run ten bags that could take 14" laptops. That kick started me on my research. For the next ten to twenty minutes, I went through sites and reviews to determine the bag that I wanted, in the colour that would achieve the, "me," that I wanted to project, and then I did more research to find out where to buy it. All done, inside half an hour.

You know what I'm seeing in advertising banners now? (on the secondary browser that I can't put an ad blocker on) ... that's right. Handbags. You know what, fellas ... you've missed the boat. It's already sailed. All that money you're spending pumping in to targeted adverts isn't working, because your ancient strategy is completely out of whack.

You know what's going to make the difference? Getting people talking about the products, because that's where I went. Hell, I'm even contributing to the conversation about the bag that I bought; the manufacturer is most likely watching me to see what I say about it in a weeks time.

My primary browser has an ad blocker installed, because I'm fed up of seeing adverts that don't appeal to me any more ('cause I've already bought what I wanted) and the frustration of me not clicking on the adds they're serving me has led to the advertisers forcing adverts down my throat which have auto-starting videos, in some cases with audio, which guarantees that the first thing I click on, is that little X in the top right, before I even LOOK at the damn web page. ('cause I'm in the boonies where internet is ssssllloooowwww.... and my bandwidth costs me money. Many internet services in the UK have limits, and I resent advertisers costing me money in order to try and peddle their crap in my face. Or I'm at work where even in lunch hours, people don't like the office filling up with slick advertisers voices.) Yes, everyone recognises an advert by the smooth, silky, over-sugary voice and actively groans when they hear it. They don't know what the advert is for, they just know, "Oh no, another f***ing intrusive advert." because it's quickly followed by a slight, "click" sound and one of us saying, "Sorry!" to the office.

The problem for many of these manufacturers is that they're trying to foist utter junk on to us. They can't put their products up to critical examination because they know that their going to flunk at the first hurdle. Their only hope is to cajole us in to buying and we only find out that we've bought a crock of crap after we've parted with our wonga. The problem for them now is that not only have people been stung so often that they are wary, but like I've outlined, the steamer has already chuffed its way half way across the pacific.

The internet has changed the rules guys. Time to make products that can compete and put some effort behind the shows, 'cause all your doing is annoying the heck out of me and actively driving me away from the web sites that you're advertising on.