Ecommerce And Planned Obsolescence
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Internet Business -> subcategory Web Hosting.
Ecommerce and Planned Obsolescence
Introduction
Have you ever heard of "planned obsolescence"? Before the 1920s, products were crafted to last. These items were durable, often handcrafted, and provided excellent long-term value.
The Challenge
For business owners and craftsmen at that time, the main challenge was getting repeat customers. Even with satisfied customers, if they didn't return, the future of the business was uncertain.
The Shift in Strategy
In the 1920s and 1930s, businesses began to adopt planned obsolescence. This meant designing products to have a finite lifespan. For instance, if a company expected a car to last ten years, parts would start wearing out around then, prompting replacements.
Companies advertised product lifespans, like a washing machine's fifteen years, and manufactured parts to just meet or slightly exceed this duration. This strategy led to increased repeat sales, as consumers grew accustomed to replacing items routinely. Today, many even anticipate upgrading common items regularly.
Ecommerce Implications
In the world of ecommerce, understanding planned obsolescence is crucial. If your business focuses on a high-demand product with a long lifespan, you'll need a vast customer base over time. Conversely, products with shorter lifespans and frequent replacements might require fewer customers. For example, compare selling quality furnaces versus furnace filters. One is long-lasting, the other needs regular replacement.
Electronic devices, although capable of lasting longer, are often replaced as soon as newer models are released. Here, planned obsolescence aligns with consumer desire for advanced features.
Consider a candle business: unless someone burns candles nightly, they won’t frequently need more, despite the candles’ beauty or scent. Emphasizing their potential as gifts can turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.
Conclusion
This article isn’t meant to steer you toward specific products but to highlight the dynamics of consumer purchasing behavior. The lifespan of a product impacts how you should market it. Understanding these dynamics can enhance your ecommerce strategy, ensuring you meet consumer expectations while fostering business growth.
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