JP2002092507A - Sales method of commodity by use of direct interaction by internet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for helping a demander in searching a desired commodity in Internet sales. SOLUTION: In the Internet sales, a provider of commodity opens a commodity sales homepage on a WWW server connected to the Internet, and the demander accesses to the homepage to perform a processing for purchasing a commodity. This homepage is provided with a program having steps (#103, 104, 106, 108, and 110) of displaying an input screen for the demander selecting a desire condition such as budget, function, size, color, etc., on the homepage; steps (#105, 107, 109, and 111) of retrieving the commodity conformed to the desire condition; step (#113) of displaying a screen for performing a purchase processing when the commodity conformed to the desire condition is found; and step (#114) of transferring to a direct interaction mode by chat or internet telephone when the commodity conformed to the desire condition is not found.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, a product supplier establishes a homepage for selling products on a WWW server connected to the Internet, and a consumer accesses the homepage to execute a process for purchasing the product. The present invention relates to a sales method using a direct interactive form in Internet sales to be performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of the Internet in recent years, Internet sales (also referred to as e-commerce) for selling products using the Internet have become widespread. It can be said that the basic form of Internet sales is an extension of conventional mail-order sales or catalog sales. For example, in catalog sales, a seller sends a catalog magazine in which photographs and specifications of a product are published to a purchaser (a demander), and the buyer selects a desired product from a group of products displayed in the catalog magazine. The user selects a product to be ordered and places an order with a sales company using a means such as telephone or fax.

[0003] In Internet sales, a seller opens a so-called homepage on a WWW server connected to the Internet, and displays (exhibits) products on the homepage as a so-called catalog magazine. The consumer is required to connect to an Internet connection terminal such as a personal computer and the WWW.
The seller accesses the homepage of the seller using a browser (software for browsing the homepage), and determines the desired product for purchase by referring to the external appearance photograph and specifications of the product displayed on the homepage. Thereafter, a predetermined input process for ordering is performed on the homepage. Payment is made by credit card, bank transfer, COD delivery, or the like.

Unlike catalog sales, in Internet sales, the amount that can be browsed at once with a WWW browser is limited by the size (number of pixels) of the screen of the display device. It is possible to see the product information over multiple pages in order by scrolling the display, but usually, the hierarchical structure (tree structure)
In many cases, the product file is linked to the target product by following the link from the trunk to the branch.

[0005] However, in the case of a product such as a household electrical appliance, it is common to provide a large number of products with slightly different functions, prices, designs, etc. for one type of product in order to respond to a wide range of consumers. In many cases, it is difficult for a consumer to find a desired model by the method described above.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for helping a consumer find a desired product in Internet sales.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for selling goods using a direct interactive form on the Internet, in which a supplier of goods sets up a homepage for selling goods on a WWW server connected to the Internet. A step of displaying an input screen for a consumer to select desired conditions such as a budget, a function, a size, and a color on the homepage in Internet sales in which a user accesses a homepage and performs processing for purchasing a product; , A step of searching for a product that matches the desired condition, a step of displaying a purchase processing screen when a product that matches the desired condition is found, and a direct dialogue when no product that matches the desired condition is found A program having a step of shifting to a mode is provided on a homepage.

[0008] According to such a configuration, even if the consumer cannot find the desired product by automatic search on the homepage of the product supplier, there is a possibility that the consumer can find the desired product by the direct interactive mode. There is.

As the direct conversation mode, a chat by exchanging character information and an Internet telephone by exchanging voice information can be used.

[0010] In the direct interactive mode, it is preferable to perform a demonstration such as displaying the appearance and specifications of a product on a screen. Thereby, the purchase intention of the consumer may be solidified.

In the direct interactive mode, when it is found that there is no product desired by the consumer in the product lineup (lineup) of the product supplier, it is preferable to present a product with a special specification. As a result, it is possible to keep the demand for purchase of the customer.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a basic system configuration for realizing a method for selling a product using a direct interactive form via the Internet according to an embodiment of the present invention. A product supplier (including a manufacturing company and a sales company; hereinafter, referred to as a “seller”) opens a home page for selling products on a WWW (World Wide Web) server 1 connected to the Internet 2.

The WWW server 1 is not limited to one owned by the seller, but may be owned by an Internet service provider (ISP), for example. In recent years, many ISPs provide a service for opening a homepage on a WWW server to a subscriber. Furthermore, a service for operating a program on a homepage using a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) is provided. This enables the consumer to use a WWW browser to link, for example, an operation from a personal computer with the WWW server. The contents of the merchant's homepage, including such CGI scripts,
It is stored in the storage device 1a.

[0015] The consumer can access the seller's home page from a terminal (hereinafter abbreviated as PC) 3 such as a personal computer connectable to the Internet 2 using a WWW browser. The seller's home page presents information such as external appearance photos, specifications, and prices of products that can be sold via the Internet. Consumers are
Using the WWW browser, the user selects a desired home appliance, a model number, a color, and the like, and inputs an order. Usually, the payment can be selected from a credit card, a bank transfer, a cash on delivery and the like.

In the method of selling a product using the Internet in a direct interactive manner according to this embodiment, the conventional Internet sales system as described above is used to assist the consumer in finding the product he / she wants to purchase.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a method for selling a product using a direct interactive format via the Internet according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process viewed from the consumer side.

The consumer accesses the seller's homepage using the PC 3 and the WWW browser (step # 10).
1) Select a product search mode (step # 10)
2). A screen for searching for a product is displayed by the WWW browser, and the consumer performs a selection input for finding a desired product in step # 103 and thereafter.

FIG. 4 is a chart showing an example of a selection input for finding a desired product. In this chart, the solid path indicates the selected input, and the dashed path indicates other options. In this example, the process starts by selecting a rice cooker in product selection. Step # 103 of FIG.
In, for example, a rice cooker is selected from a plurality of product types displayed by the WWW browser.

At step # 104, a budget is selected. A plurality of price ranges are displayed as options according to the product (cooking jar) selected in step # 103.
Select the desired price range from them. If there is no desired option (price range), the process branches directly to the interactive mode (step # 114) in step # 105.

When a desired price range is selected, a function is selected in the next step # 106. The basic function included in the price range selected in the previous step, for example, in the case of a rice cooker, a choice of a basic function such as a microcomputer jar or an IH jar is displayed, and a desired function is selected. If there is no desired option (function), the flow branches directly to the interactive mode (step # 114) in step # 107.

When the desired function is selected, the size is selected in the next step # 108. The options regarding the product size are displayed according to the content selected in the steps up to that point. For example, in the case of a rice cooker, cook 5 go or 1
The option to cook rice is displayed, and the desired option is selected. If there is no desired option (size), step #
At 109, the flow branches directly to the interactive mode (step # 114).

If the desired size is selected, a color / pattern is selected in the next step # 110. Options regarding the color and pattern of the product are displayed according to the content selected in the steps up to that point. For example, in the case of a rice cooker, options of unique colors and patterns such as milky white and fresh beige are displayed, and the appearance of the product of those colors and patterns is displayed on the screen. If there is no desired option (color / pattern), the flow branches directly to the interactive mode (step # 114) in step # 111.

If a desired color / pattern is selected, a desired product is determined based on the selection input up to that time (step #).
112), a screen for purchase processing is displayed (step # 113).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the processing in the direct interactive mode. In the direct interaction mode, the person in charge at the seller side gives appropriate advice for the consumer to find the desired product by direct interaction using chat or Internet telephone. To this end, as shown in FIG.
A personal computer (PC) 4 used by the person in charge is installed on the seller side, and the PC 4 has a keyboard 4a,
Headset (headphone and microphone) 4
b and the product database 4c are connected.

The person in charge on the seller side uses these to respond to consultation by direct dialogue with the consumer. In the case of chat, the keyboard 4a is mainly used, and in the case of Internet telephone, conversation is performed using the headset 4b.
The keyboard 3a and the headset 3b are also connected to the PC 3 used by the consumer.

In FIG. 5, first, in step # 201, the consumer is prompted to select whether a consultation by chat or a consultation by Internet telephone is desired. When the chat is selected, the consultation by the chat is performed in step # 202, and the consumer can have a conversation (exchange of character information) with the person in charge on the seller side using the keyboard 3a and the screen display.

When the Internet telephone is selected, consultation by the Internet telephone is executed in step # 203, and the consumer talks with the person in charge of the seller using a headset 3b like a normal telephone (information exchange by voice). )It can be performed. In this case, since voice information is transmitted via the Internet using the Internet telephony technology, the quality of voice is lower than that of a normal telephone, but the communication fee is generally lower. That is, even if the seller is far away from the consumer, the communication fee to the nearest access point is sufficient.

Although the details of the chat and the Internet telephone are omitted, these technologies are still in a practical stage at present, and it is expected that the technology will be easier to use with the advancement of Internet-related technologies in the future. In order for the consumer to directly interact with the person in charge of the seller using chat or Internet telephone, it is necessary to install a predetermined program in the PC 3, and this program can be downloaded from the seller's homepage. . Of course, this program is pre-installed on the PC 4 of the seller.

After or during the consultation by chat or Internet telephone, as shown in step # 204, a candidate product close to the demand of the consumer is presented and a demonstration is performed. When the product is a rice cooker, the state of the cooked rice, the degree of baking, etc. may be displayed as an image, or numerical data such as a moisture content, a reducing sugar content, and a heat retention temperature may be presented. If the consumer wishes to present another candidate product (Yes in step # 205),
The instruction is input using the keyboard 3a (or a pointing device such as a mouse), and the person in charge at the seller returns to step # 204 to present another product.

If a desired product to be purchased is determined in the direct interactive mode as described above (Yes in step # 206), the screen shifts to a screen for purchase processing (step # 207).
If the desired product to be purchased is not determined even in the direct interactive mode, the process ends.

In FIG. 3, Yes in step # 111
Subsequently, option selection may be performed.
In this option selection, a more detailed preference of the consumer is selected. In addition, in the direct interactive mode, the person in charge of the seller may present the special specification while listening to the demand of the consumer.

FIG. 6 is a chart showing an option tree for determining special specifications when the product is a rice cooker. On the function side, options are illustrated for the heat retaining temperature, the offspring function, and the thick pot. As for colors and patterns, options of special specifications are illustrated. While sequentially displaying these options on the screen, the user's wishes are confirmed.

As described above, when a desired product to be purchased is determined and the screen shifts to a screen for purchase processing, confirmation of the model to be purchased, input and confirmation of personal information such as the purchaser's address, name, and contact information are performed on the screen. Done in In addition, the payment method is selected from a credit card, a bank transfer, a COD delivery, and the like.

When the manufacturer of the product is a seller, that is, when establishing a homepage on the Internet and conducting direct sales, a link to the homepage of a dealer affiliated with or related to the manufacturer is provided. Is preferred. For example, if the customer cannot find the desired product on the manufacturer's homepage, the user may be able to find the desired product on the linked retailer's homepage, which is convenient for the consumer. The consumer who has found the desired product on the homepage of the store performs ordering and settlement of the product on the homepage of the store.

The flowchart and the configuration of the processing described in the above embodiment are merely examples. The method for selling a product using the direct interaction format on the Internet according to the present invention is not limited to a rice cooker, and can be applied to the Internet sales of various home appliances.

[0037]

As described above, according to the method for selling goods using the direct dialogue form on the Internet according to the present invention, automatic search for goods by inputting desired conditions and communication with a sales person by chat or Internet telephone are provided. By using the direct conversation with the consumer in combination, it becomes easier and more reliable for the consumer to find the desired product.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic system configuration for realizing a method for selling a product using a direct interactive format over the Internet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a method for selling a product using a direct interactive format via the Internet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process viewed from a consumer side.

FIG. 4 is a chart showing an example of a selection input for finding a desired product.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a process in a direct interactive mode.

FIG. 6 is a chart showing an option tree for determining special specifications when a product is a rice cooker.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 WWW server 2 Internet 3 Terminal used by customer 4 Terminal used by sales representative 3a, 4a Keyboard 3b, 4b Headset

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An Internet sales system in which a product supplier establishes a homepage for selling products on a WWW server connected to the Internet, and a consumer accesses the homepage and performs processing for purchasing the products. A step of displaying an input screen for a customer to select desired conditions such as a budget, a function, a size, and a color on the homepage; a step of searching for a product that meets the desired conditions; and a step of matching the desired conditions. The homepage is provided with a program having a step of displaying a screen for purchase processing when a product to be found is found and a step of directly switching to an interactive mode when a product that meets the desired condition is not found. A method for selling a product using a direct interactive form via the Internet. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the direct interaction mode is a chat by exchanging character information. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the direct conversation mode is an Internet telephone by exchanging voice information. 4. The method for selling goods using a direct interactive form on the Internet according to claim 1, wherein a demonstration of the goods is performed on a screen in the direct interactive mode. 5. The method of selling goods using a direct dialogue style over the Internet according to claim 1, wherein in the direct interactive mode, specially designed goods are presented.