I was recently checking out websites to buy good shoes. Went to the usual suspects' pages - Nike, Reebok, Adidas.
Firstly, the shoes' market in India is huge. And all three websites had fancy FLASH websites, when the first law of website design is to have a parallel lite version (only HTML), so countries like India where broadband is limited, can have access to all the information. So, first rule violated.
Secondly, the websites had no "India" page other than Adidas, which dint count, since it was the usual website with 'India' written on top! What's the point ??!!
Thirdly, none of the websites had a store-listing in India. This surprises me no end, as these brands have been in India for so long, but absolutely no interest in fostering e-business in India.
Fourthly, navigating the website (especially Nike) was such a PAIN! Too many buttons, too many choices, redundant menus, etc, etc !! Made me feel like one trapped in a labyrinth with no way out!
Bad, bad website design is half the battle lost. Does not generate any excitement in what is a closely contested battle for the shoes market in India. Finally, I have decided to take the only way out - go out, hunt from store to store and buy the first thing that seems decent.
Back to the Bricks model for now, since the Clicks model has clearly failed the Indian shoe-buying customer!
