For the first 2 weeks after release, if you went to the skysim site and your browser was anything other than 1024 x 768, you wouldn't see the links at the top for the forum, shop etc. How many people went their and couldn't workout how to buy it?
What compounded this issue (and still does) is that the image of the Hawk and Sea Vixen have "Available Now" plastered on them, so even a non idiot would assume that by clicking on the image, you would be taken to were you could buy it... not so, you get a short synopsys of "The Hawk" with no mention of how to buy it and a close window button. Now at this point (as a numpty) I'd be getting a tad frustrated (i know I have a shot fuse at times, but I don't think I'm alone.) The words "Online Store" are burried between the banner subtext and the, highlighted in yellow, "News" heading. It really doesn't grab you. At this point I'd have said f@@k it and left, but lets say, for the benefit of the doubt, I actually made it to the "Shop"
There is a bloody great big jped image and text that links nowhere taking up the top 50% of the page, with the Hawk in with othe "box images" in the lower half of the screen, and no sea Vixen in sight. This really isn't how you push a product.
I know there are a few chaps on here who are marketeers, and I certainly don't profess to be one of them, but it would be interesting to get a professional view of it.
In this instance I think two very good products have been let down by a poor shop front as it were. (although the security system which is very good wasn't available for the Sea Vixen, so piracy has had a huge impact on her.)
As I said above, the Hawk is a very commercial product, maybe not with us, but I know of at least 8 father and or son simmers in work, and as the Hawk is the trusty steed of the Reds, manys a young (and not so young) chap would be interested in this aircraft, but most of these guys are the I'll buy it in "Game" type, and there are many of them, so I'm very surprised that, given the time frame of the Hawks development, proper retail channels weren't developed.
The margin on these will be much less than direct sales, but when your the new kid on the block, its al about getting your name out there. Most of these people won't know who Rick Piper is, let alone have heard of Skysim, so previous reputations mean nowt. However, if they could pick this up in their local "Game" store, then the next release from Skysim might get that... oh, thats the same crowd who made the Hawk, that was great so i'll give this a go, and then... maybe, the time after that, they'll have ventured to the website, and found out how to install repaints... and just maybe, get a direct sale. I think as a comunity of enthusiasts, we for get that there are just as many out there, who never partake in forums or downloads, but do spend there Pounds Dollars and Euros etc in high street stores.... and most of them (believe it or not) will be on FSX.
Righty, mine is butterscotch
that the panel guy has left.
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