Michael Raine’s June 24 article, “Internet helps keep short lines from being short-changed,” caught my attention.
The article reported on the Agriculture Manufacturers of Canada meeting and how they think the internet could help them reach out to customers. Are they just realizing this now? What took them so long to figure this out?
Canadian businesses, manufacturers and dealers in the agricultural industry are pathetic when it comes to marketing and selling via websites. I prefer to deal with U.S. companies simply because they can get me what I want with the click of a mouse.
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I would rather buy Canadian, but I gave up because most can’t put a decent website together.
Here is my problem. No time. I have two full-time jobs, farming and IT. I don’t have time to stop in at my local dealership every time I’m looking for equipment or parts. Plus, the hours they work are inconvenient, but the internet is open 24/7/365.
Here is a list of their problems:
• websites out of date or down;
• manufacturers cannot be found on Google or similar search engines. Forgot to seed Google? Big mistake;
• no pricing is available;
• no on-line purchasing. Do what Westward Products is doing;
• technical information incomplete or missing;
• no response to e-mails. Dealerships are the worst for this. Why bother having an e-mail address if they won’t use it?
• operator, parts and shop manuals aren’t available from the website.
Leon’s Manufacturing has one of the better websites. Lots of technical information and some manuals are available. What’s missing from their website is loader and parts pricing, and the ability to order on-line.
If Canadian companies want my business, they have to improve their websites.
