Seeking Help/Expertise (vanity)

SAJ ^ | 8/5/2004 | SAJ

[SAJ]

Topic A.

Have just finished development of a software package that provides certain very useful information to those who trade in the futures markets. Now, how to sell it? Oh, I've my own ideas, of course -- but they may be very poor ideas because, even after 30-odd years of designing software, this is the first retail-oriented product I've attempted. Options:

1. Set up a website, sell it there, or
2. Hire a marketing firm, or
3. Enter working arrangements with brokerage houses to give/sell the software to their clients, under some set of terms to be agreed, or
4. Some combination of the above, or
5. Some other approach.

I have exactly no bias toward any of these, but I suppose it's fair to say that 1) and 3) are the leading candidates in my mind at this time. All thoughts appreciated, esp. if you have been there and done that personally.

=======

Topic B.

Assuming that you consider marketing via website to be a good choice, the plain fact of the matter is that I don't know diddly-doo about the creation of sales/customer DB web-based software. Therefore, I would be looking either to hire this done or find as completely a turnkey solution as possible. I have acquired a thoroughly competent webmistress for the base design of the site, so that is not a consideration. Presumably, the ''shopping-cart'' portion of the software is available, but I haven't yet a clue as to where, nor as to how integrable a shopping-cart package is in the general case, nor as to the inevitable hoops to be jumped through.

Should I deal with merchant credit-card accounts, PayPal or its equivalent, or both (and reasons why, if you'd be so kind as to specify them)? What other questions need to be asked (aside from, of course, ''IS there a nice, simple, turnkey package for this proposal?'')?

All thoughts and advice appreciated. Be as self-serving as you like; if you're the greatest thing since sliced bread at this kind of thing, SAY SO!

I've no particular deadline here, except ''as soon as practicable'', and the important parameters are: 1) Simplicity from MY standpoint, 2) Flexibility/ease of use from my future customers' standpoint, 3) Reliability -- I'm going straightaway onto an enhanced version of the software, and do NOT wish to have to tweak and twiddle daily/weekly/ever, if possible.

MANY thanks in advance for any thoughts, ideas, solutions you care to offer, and FReegards to all !

[SAJ]

All right, all you web slicksters, have at me! (g!)

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

If you have the dough, you should have a go at hiring a marketing or consulting firm. You may be able to get their take on things before committing one way or the other. If you decide to use them, it would be money well spent.
Besides, if a website is the way to go, they should have the proper resources in place to make a really professional looking site as well as the resources to market and advertise it.

[SAJ]

Excellent points, mate, and well made. I do believe you're correct.

Thanks for taking your time!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Let us know how things go!

[SAJ]

I certainly will. Thanks for your good thoughts!