Link This | Email this | Blog This | Comments (1)

Web to Print: Opportunity or Obstruction
February 4, 2008

Recently we discussed the controversy brewing about the viability or profitability associated with web to print. I was a little leary to go into much more depth until I learned more. But recently these reports were confirmed by several sources. First one of the digital press manufacturer told me that in 17 recent installs of their web to print solution 12 were dissatisfied.

Second I was contacted one of the participants in the online forum, Max Voskob the co-founder of Zetaprints a hosted web to print solution in New Zealand also confirmed that there were issues. Max said “I think I'm closer to the truth than anyone else because we are a hosted solution. We see exactly what printers do, who succeeds and who doesn't. The failure rate is appalling, but those who do get it right grow really-really well.”

Third I have been contacted by a fast food franchise who tells me that after all the time and money they spent in creating a web to print solution, there franchisees are not using it.

Let’s try to identify the real, bottom line complaints. Many companies say they have a web to print solution when really they don’t. They may have a web page and accept customers files, email PDF proofs and maybe even have an online ordering process know as a shopping cart. But accepting files and emailing PDF proofs is possible with an email account and no web page.

That means that the shopping cart feature is what is typically thought of as a web to print solution. Logically that also means that the complaints are most often the result of dissatisfaction with the expectations associated with the shopping cart feature. Next time, what’s wrong with the shopping cart?

Posted by Howie Fenton on February 4, 2008 | Comments (1)