As technology has evolved, how have you made your Web site more user friendly for customers to do business with you?
We recently redesigned the navigation on our Web site based on customer input to better help users make decisions and quickly find products that meet their specific needs. We have also added an e-catalog to our site, which is a PDF-based electronic version of our printed catalog that adds functionality to searching and e-mail capabilities. Through our Web site, our distributor partners can log in to look up information such as current inventory and order status.
How has Web-based communications changed the way you communicate with your employees?
Gone are the days of bulletin boards, printed internal newsletters and voice mail communications. E-mail is now the primary means for employee communications. We also have an intranet that features a news section, videos with messages from our general manager and archives of previous communications.
What is the Web technology level of expectation of your customers or clients and how have you met them?
Our customers range from specifiers and distributors to installers and end-users, and they all have different needs. They do have a common expectation though, and that is immediate availability of information that is current and easy to find. We recently improved the search capabilities of our Web site by adding Google Site Search as the search engine, which now provides better and more specific results. We provide supporting files for all products including specification sheets, installation instructions, engineering CAD drawings and, in some cases, installation videos, configurators and calculators — all tools to help customers make decisions and assist with their projects.
Is e-advertising something you presently use for your business or see your company using in the future?
We currently advertise on industry Web sites, e-newsletter blasts, and directories with banner ads, keywords and product category purchases. e-advertising is and will continue to be an important part of our marketing strategy.
Do you blog or use any social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) presently, and do you see any useful business applications for your company?
We do not currently have a presence on or advertise on any of the currently popular social networking sites, but many of our product videos can be found on YouTube. We recently introduced a blog called “Productivity Ideas” where we promote our products that increase contractor productivity and also provide an open forum for installers to discuss productivity ideas and best practices.
Company name: Wiremold/Legrand
Industry: Wire and cable management systems manufacturer
Web Site: www.wiremold.com
