AVA Direct Customer Input

[MattSlagle]

Hi everyone,

My name is Matt Slagle, and I am new to AVA Direct. I know many people here have had experience buying from us, or at least know of us.

I am in charge of marketing the website, and the overall website experience for the end-user. I have some ideas to toss out at you guys, so let me know what you think.

1. Our customization pages are very intense and to a normal user can be quite overwhelming. We are thinking of offering several pre-built configs with little or no config options available. We could have several different pre-built gaming systems such as: mid-range, high-end, extreme performance. These would be almost set in stone, with small options as changing the speed of processor and adding more ram.

2. I was also thinking of creating a virtual customizer agent function. You select your price range, select what you are using the computer for, select any other options and then click the build me button. It configures a system based on these parameters within the budget you set. However, with a person involved, you may not get the most performance, or a over-powered part might be paired with an under-powered part. However, it could be a great starting place for a non tech-savy person.

3. Computer diversity. We mainly offer gaming and server systems. But with just a small amount of customizations, you could configure the perfect music recording studio, the perfect home video editing rig, the perfect home entertainment system, etc. Would it be wise to showcase these other types of systems to the general public?

4. In-house engineering of systems. Right now, we take off the shelf components and put them together to form a system. Soon, we are going to be engineering in-house designed systems that do some amazing things. These systems include servers developed for a household and super-mini gaming rigs the size of an xbox360.

5. Better monitor and display options. I noticed many people on this forum whenever they post or buy a system, many of them do not order a monitor from us. We are thinking of expanding our product line to offer more screen manufacturers, bigger sizes up to 30", and custom screen configs. The configs will use multiple monitors from dual, triple, and up displays. Trust me, once you go dual or above, you will never go back.

6. Forums. Ive seen it before on this forum. Many people here would like us to host our own forums. Let me just say is that we have it in the works. We are also going to be rolling out a new interface that will allow easier navigation of our website as well. Just only a few months away.

That should be it for ideas. Let me know your thoughts and opions of what AVA Direct can do better to help better serve the customers we already have, and attact the customers we do not have.

 

[aethelwulf]

Hi everyone,

My name is Matt Slagle, and I am new to AVA Direct. I know many people here have had experience buying from us, or at least know of us.

Hi Matt! Glad to see you here.

1. Our customization pages are very intense and to a normal user can be quite overwhelming. We are thinking of offering several pre-built configs with little or no config options available. We could have several different pre-built gaming systems such as: mid-range, high-end, extreme performance. These would be almost set in stone, with small options as changing the speed of processor and adding more ram.

I think this is a fantastic idea, and it's my number 1 suggestion for AVA.

2. I was also thinking of creating a virtual customizer agent function. You select your price range, select what you are using the computer for, select any other options and then click the build me button. It configures a system based on these parameters within the budget you set. However, with a person involved, you may not get the most performance, or a over-powered part might be paired with an under-powered part. However, it could be a great starting place for a non tech-savy person.

I'm not too interested in seeing this personally. It may be nice in some respects, but I think that it ends up performing mainly the same function as having preconfigured rigs (ie #1). A combined emphasis on the preconfigured rigs and the option to call in and talk with a person about your needs would be the best approach IMO.

3. Computer diversity. We mainly offer gaming and server systems. But with just a small amount of customizations, you could configure the perfect music recording studio, the perfect home video editing rig, the perfect home entertainment system, etc. Would it be wise to showcase these other types of systems to the general public?

I don't see why not, I don't think it could hurt. As long as you don't overcomplicate things, it would be good to show users that they don't have to be a [H]ardcore gamer to enjoy a boutique computer.

4. In-house engineering of systems. Right now, we take off the shelf components and put them together to form a system. Soon, we are going to be engineering in-house designed systems that do some amazing things. These systems include servers developed for a household and super-mini gaming rigs the size of an xbox360.

Sounds cool! I love seeing custom cases and unique applications.

5. Better monitor and display options. I noticed many people on this forum whenever they post or buy a system, many of them do not order a monitor from us. We are thinking of expanding our product line to offer more screen manufacturers, bigger sizes up to 30", and custom screen configs. The configs will use multiple monitors from dual, triple, and up displays. Trust me, once you go dual or above, you will never go back.

This may or may not work for you. One reason being the vast number of monitors people choose from and how personal that choice can be (not to say that this philosophy doesn't apply to other aspects of PCs). I think it would depend greatly on the prices that you could sell the monitors at, and what kind of policies you have regarding dead/stuck pixels. It's a lot easier to order a monitor separately than, say a video card when buying a PC. This isn't to say you shouldn't expand some, but something to keep in mind.

6. Forums. Ive seen it before on this forum. Many people here would like us to host our own forums. Let me just say is that we have it in the works. We are also going to be rolling out a new interface that will allow easier navigation of our website as well. Just only a few months away.

Forums are really nice to see, especially when they are open and honest forums. Not that I think you would do this, but make sure you never become one of those companies that just deletes everything negative that's ever posted.

All in all, it sounds like you're moving in a good direction! Best of luck at your new job!

 

[MattSlagle]

Hi Matt! Glad to see you here.
I think this is a fantastic idea, and it's my number 1 suggestion for AVA.

Hey thanks, this really puts things into perspective. We already offer great gaming computers, why not show the the end-user a great computer at a right price. All the guess work is taken out for them, and we double-check everything to make sure everything works perfectly.

The great thing about this is that we can implement something like this tomorrow.

Ok, I need more feedback like this. Please, the more feedback I get, only the better I can make AVA Direct.

 

[aethelwulf]

Anyone else want to pitch in a few comments?