Taking the Next Step in the Death Industry - Essay Example

Running Head: Business Taking the next step in death industry The idea of creating a website dedicated to the deceased person is creative and innovative. The very thought of providing a space for the dead people to be remembered for ever through a facebook like website where members of the family can send comments, notes, messages on the profile. The mode of marketing the website could prove successful if the morticians include the dedicated webpage in their package of funeral materials. In order to make sales of the webpage on Remembrances.

com, morticians have to create a necessity or requirement among the relatives or friends of the deceased person. Raji (2007) stated that consumer passes through various stages of decision making process before taking a decision regarding the purchase of product (p.13). It is further mentioned that need for a product is the first stage in buying decision process (Raji, 2007, p.13) and various researches suggest that customers go through five stage decision making process which includes information search, evaluation of alternatives, purchasing and post purchase evaluation apart from need recognition (http://tutor2u.net). Morticians may follow the decision making process of buyers and could include the webpage service in the package of funeral products explaining the benefits to the consumer and friends like allowing long distance relative and friends to send condolence messages and other notes.

According to Clow (2007) dual channel marketing is “when firms sell the same goods or services to both consumers as well as businesses”(p.107). In present scenario, Nancy and Margo are targeting morticians as they are in direct contact with the relatives and friends of the deceased person. It is further pertinent to mention that the website will also setup links to the newspaper wherein the short obituary will include the web address which itself will create direct customer relations for the website.

This makes it clear that Nancy and Margo, through morticians are creating market for themselves as well as developing direct relations with the customer, thus giving an indication of the use of dual channel program. The strategy of Nancy and Margo, not directly promoting the service to patron, is correct because morticians, who deal with funeral materials and accessories, can strike a deal with them along with the materials instead of Nancy and Margo going to the patrons and promoting their website.

The concept of providing website dedicated to deceased person is innovative and may strike a chord among people living in technological era. Though developing a website is not a tedious task, but considering the service provided by the Remembrances.com can prove successful. As the name suggests, consumer may use the service for remembering the person, posting his quotes, works, photos, etc. on the website. The business seems to be successful as it provides a place on the web, where all those concerned can constantly visit the graveyard and leave messages, which is an innovative, creative and humane service.

References1. Buyer behavior – The decision making process – How do customers buy? (n.d.) Retrieved August 5th 2011 from http://tutor2u.net/business/marketing/buying_decision_ process. asp2. Clow K E (2007) Integrated Advertising Promotion, and Marketing Communication, New Delhi: Pearson Education India3. Raji P T (2007) Consumers Buying Secrets Revealed!, India:EbookBoxe