Utilising an online service provider seems, on the surface, like a convenient alternative to working with a traditional brick and mortar establishment. Almost anything can be ordered, arranged and delivered online. But the perceived convenience may come at a high and unexpected cost.
Many professional services are expanding in the online space and engaging every online marketing trick available. But to do so this comes at a number of costs. We see these as:
1. Price Point.
Heavily discounted or even under cost services are rampant. As these businesses sink huge dollars into online positioning and advertising, they must by definition run a very lean structure in terms of delivery. The people behind the brand work to a set formula in terms of process, timeframes and outcomes. Because the service is offered in a ‘one size fits all’ approach it does not cater to the individual needs of each client.
2. Loss of value.
A personal, solid working relationship and tailoring solutions to each situation is far and beyond any price point. This is one of the trademarks of a truly professional firm. The facility to pick up the phone and talk through any aspect of a client’s problem and meet face to face with a trusted service provider is priceless.
3. Database building.
In the absence of a long term business relationship based on trust and on the ground service, the only way these companies can build a database is via price baiting and to some degree ‘ambulance chasing’. The old adage remains true – you get what you pay for.
Today business insolvency services can be sourced over the web. The main point of difference promoted by web based operators is usually price. Perhaps there are limited instances where these services can be used, however almost always the better approach is to deal with a truly professional firm that provides a rounded service and who can fit the price to the circumstance. It follows that you can’t form long relationship with a webpage. It is nice to know that the professional firm you deal with has been around for many years at a street address you can visit.
