Related Article Content

There are two common ways of selling software: either online or in a store. Both have some kind of advantage, both for the costumers and for the merchants. It is in the merchant's interest that his/her clients know about the product, and the way to achieve this point is through advertisement.

The disadvantage of advertising software directly at the store is that other products may compete for the client's attention. But there are also some advantages: one is the constant presence of a salesman/woman who can answer customers' questions about that product and give more information. Also, some customers prefer to buy software which is being distributed on portable media such as DVDs or CDs. The layout of the medium can also draw the attention of the customer.

The distribution and advertisement for a product soled online is different from techniques used in stores. advertising software over the internet can be done a lot more consumer specific. The use of marketing software, which for example automatically sends out e-mails to customers who have bought a similar product in the past, is also less expensive. This is one example for the use of ecommerce software to promote a product.

Although the approach is much less personalized, the use of popup windows to advertise software is often cheaper than the use of costly ecommerce software because the advertiser only pays for the views received. The quantity of individuals reached via the popup window method often compensates for the reduced personal touch.

The disadvantage of advertising online is, that there has been an over stimulation of those spending a decent amount of time online, regarding online ads. This is due to the extensive and sometimes intrusive use of advertisements on some websites. People tend to just blend out the ads.

One can also observe a fear that has developed towards clicking on advertisements online, especially those advertising software. Surfers of the web are increasingly affright of being ripped off by accidentally installing a virus that came with the software downloaded from the web.

Personally, I do prefer to search for software online but then go to the store and buy the product there. So, possibly I am influenced both by the online ads and by the advertisements directly at the store.