Slashdot Mirror
Live Chat Salespeople On Web Sites
burgburgburg writes "Forbes.com has an interesting article on how one web site is bringing all of the fun of salespeople suddenly appearing and offering to "help" to the web. It seems that Rackspace Managed Hosting tracks you by your IP number when you arrive. After 30 seconds on the site, a Java applet pops up with a photo of a sales person and a live chat offer to assist you in your efforts. According to Rackspace's co-chairman, one-third of users approached via chat engage in conversation with a salesperson, and half of those take the discussion to the next level. Furthermore, according to him, nearly 50% of new customers have originated from the chat feature. They have 6 salespeople watching the site in shifts for 20 hours a day."
If you type a/s/l they terminate the conversation....
I'm so lonely
DLF ROCKS!
I think that their 6 sales staff might not be able to cope with a slashdotting :)
"According to Rackspace's co-chairman, one-third of users approached via chat engage in conversation with a salesperson, and half of those take the discussion to the next level."
What's that, dinner and a movie?
this might be the first time an actual person will feel the slashdot effect
The One Rule Of Chess You'll Ever Need: Don't play someone who carries a kit in their bookbag.
It seems that Rackspace Managed Hosting tracks you by your IP number when you arrive.
:)
I guess I'm safe since I bought that software from the popup ad that keeps my computer from broadcasting an IP.
+5:offtopic,but anti-American
The first thing that popped into mind when reading the post -
"Soooo, how many licenses would you like to buy today?"
from the CA commercials with the cardboard salesperson. I'll now have that commercial stuck in my head the rest of the day, you insensitive clod!