Posted on 07/01/2004 6:52:41 AM PDT by bluecollarman
As the election year plods on and the polls remain close, I wonder how many of us that sell goods on the internet would put this or a similar ad on their web sites?
I am pretty conservative. I have BUSH-CHENEY bumper stickers and signs. I have donated money, but I have not put any political ads for Bush on any of my commercial web sites. I wonder how other Freepers are dealing with this issue? Would you declare your support for President Bush on your commercial web site? Would you put your money where your mouth is? I haven't.
God bless America, our troops fighting for our freedoms, and President George W. Bush.!
Good question. Like you, I have a commercial web site where I sell things to a group of customers which lives all over the world.
I don't know their political beliefs, nor do I care. My site is strictly a commercial venture. You'll find no political, religious, or other stuff on my site. That's not what it's there for.
Check out your local retail brick and mortar stores? See political signs in their windows?
I don't want to lose the business of any of my customers, and I don't care what their political beliefs are. I'll bet they don't care about mine either.
I'm not a businessman, but I strongly oppose businesses openly supporting political candidates in their places of business or on their web sites. Of course, where I live, that usually means seeing pro-Democratic signs, but I oppose it even on the rare occasions when they are pro-Republican. I think a business owner has an obligation to make all his customers feel welcome, and this is not possible if the business is openly touting political candidates in its place of business or website. On the practical side, I think it's bad business to alienate 35-65% of your customers, depending on where you're located.
Actually, I do see a few signs in the local stores, but I am in a very Conservative part of the Country.
Like you I do not want to lose business. Unlike you, I do know that most of my customers are Democrats and quite a few of them are overseas customers. I am sure most would be shocked to see the Bush-Cheney logos. I have to say, I feel a little guilty.
Over the course of the 2 years or so it was up, we got maybe 5 anonymous e-mails from people saying, "Well, I was going to buy your product until I saw you support that illegitmate evil man in the White House. Blah, blah, blah."
Somehow, I doubt they were potential customers. Frankly, our business will survive without them regardless.
That is a great pic.
It's hard enough to find an ad which snags customers,
why would any business display sidetracking things.
It's more fun taking their money and donating some of it to causes you support.
Sometimes though, if it's a niche market, a statement or ad declaring ones position can be helpful. An example is a gun and ammo website
announcing a portion of their sales goes to the NRA or GOA.
You have a great homepage. I like the one of the President and the little girl on his knee.
Proudly.
Oh. Would I have one on my commercial site? Probably not.
Then again, I'm not trying to sell my politics. I'm trying to sell my goods and services.
Your right, I have little doubt that it would not help my business. I would probably lose money. But still, I struggle with how large a sacrifice that really is. I mean, compared to our troops and others that are standing up (or have fallen) for what they believe in?
I don't own a business or a website.
Mixing business and anything is sticky - especially in a society so divided as ours.
To show support, how about a simply yellow ribbon on the site? Definitely apolitical, troop supportive and for the most part will probably go on the pay-no-mind list of your customers but not by you.
Or maybe I should just put my head down and go back to working for the man.
If you have a pro Bush non-commercial web site aren't you just preaching to the choir? Are core beliefs something that you have to sell?
I don't sell web software but I link to them. I don't link to porn. Doesn't some statement of morality and politics already exist in your links?
Right after 9-11, I had a flag pole erected in our office parking lot and we've been flying the flag ever since. I have a life-size cut out out of President Bush standing in my office. Most customers jump when they first see him, yet in my conservative neck of the woods, 99% of them salute, compliment, or praise him. Under the glass on my desk is the official seal of the democratic party (whining baby) and the picture of Dr. Raoul (sp) freeping Clinton. He's holding a sign that says - If Osama was a piece of a$$ Clinton would have nailed him.
I've never heard one negative word about President Bush uttered in my presence. I work every day, provide a quality product, am accountable for all aspects of my business, and give back to the community that supports me. These facts have earned me a bit of respect in my arena and I can only hope that my support of President Bush may somehow influence others to do the same.
I think that is exactly what I am struggling with.
Thank you. And that is a cool picture. It was captioned - "Sometimes a girl's gotta go to the top." LOL
Do you think you have done the same if you were in a very liberal part of the country?
Morality, yes (albeit in a subtle fashion); politics, no.
If someone happens upon my business portfolio, while they'll see my professional and business acumen, they won't necessarily see my political spiel - that is, unless they delve into my personal site (which, whenever I finish the portfolio site -- I'm using Microsoft's "Really Soon Now" schedule -- there will be a link to).
Is that dishonest? No. I call it professionalism. I wouldn't walk into an appointment with a client with a Bush/Cheney button on my lapel, it isn't professional. But at the same time, would I wear a small, tasteful (and non-descript) cross or flag on that same lapel? As a Christian and proud American, probably so.
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