It's Business Without Limits at Snow Trails Since the Wonder Business Suite Arrived
nxtConcepts WONDER Business Suite streamlined the Snow Trails initiative to transform their website into the organizations ultimate source of communication, internally and externally.
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) January 8, 2005 -- Snow Trails Winter Resort has been serving Ohio since 1961. There are seven lifts serving 16 runs, including two terrain parks on 50 acres. The Resort boasts being "Ohio's first and finest" since it has a reputation of many Midwest firsts, including being Ohio's first ski area. This past summer Snow Trails implemented many aspects of the WONDER Business Suite including: WONDER Web, WONDER Marketing, & WONDER Sales.
Wonder in our first year has been a major success with close to half of our clubs and reoccurring groups utilizing the online purchasing. The system's functionality is proving to exceed our expectations in options and possibilities. We implemented an ecommerce system in 3 months when the ski industry told it would take a year!"
Shawn Feller, Lodge Operations Manager, Snow Trails
For Snow Trails, the most exciting possibility of using alternative marketing integrated with new cutting-edge web based technology was the effect it would have on the bottom line. Prior to using WONDER, the area relied on traditional marketing and media -- direct mail, radio, print, coupons -- to get their message out and to drive sales. They also used a separate email system for marketing purposes and Microsofts FrontPage to update the site.
Ultimately they wanted to move from the more traditional marketing and sales process of the past to a newer more aggressive & cost effective strategy that would integrate both the traditional offline marketing and administration with the online interactivity of the Web.
The first year goals would be to increase sales while decreasing operating expenses.
First year objectives would be:
• add e-commerce to snowtrails.com,
• focus on customer centric programs, that could be easily cross promoted
• drive people to the website for information.
Task Challenge:
-Lack of capabilities to implement marketing cross-promotions.
-Create and modify web pages on-the-fly" in a simple and easy manner that any approved staff member could do from anywhere with an internet connection and password.
-Manage multiple types of sales. From product sales such as passes for individuals or group sales, to service sales such as lesson reservations, to event registrations.
-Ability to create a standardized interface.
The Project:
WONDER Marketing was used to develop an integrated strategy that took into account their marketing, sales, technology, operations, management team, and employees.
Step # 1 Online Marketing:
Instead of a more static, less interactive brocureware" website, Snow Trails focused on building a community on the web. This was done in 3 ways:
1. Develop the site based on the wants and needs of the customer base. Including complete personalization of user rights for Snow Trails staff and customers.
2. Have a website that uses built-in management tools that non-technical people can use, built-in real time reporting for immediate feedback of what works and what doesnt, built-in security management so there is no worry about doing something that would affect the site, and built-in Modules that are fast to implement, future ready and built around Snow Trails specific needs (and can be implemented at a moments notice when requested).
3. Using viral marketing such as Affiliate programs, Tell-a-Friend programs, pop surveys & polls, live web cams & photo galleries, email newsletters, search engine meta tag promotion, headlines on other sites, online advertising, sponsorships, and cross-media strategies.
Step #2. Offline Marketing:
A targeted direct mail and radio campaign were also developed to build exposure for the Resort and to drive people to the web for additional information. In addition, a web contest was developed to further reinforce the connection between offline (radio) and online (web) marketing. Participating radio stations aired the contest information and placed snowtrails.com information on their websites.
Step #3. Technology:
WONDER Web & Sales were used to let Snow Trails be able to manage the content and sales for their web site. The WONDER content management system enables contributors to quickly add, change, and remove content on the web without the assistance of the sites technical staff. This helps to both keep the site as current as possible and saves on additional design costs.
The Results:
The immediate results for both staff and customers have been substantial.
• The website is more efficient and dynamic.
• Reduced errors in publishing information and processing sales.
• Integrated email management system for newsletters, auto-responders to online sales or requests, and group management.
• Content cycles have been significantly reduced.
• Able to open up editing permissions to other staff.
• Instant access to web sales reports.
• Easily scaled website that already has enabled Snow Trails to add additional modules and features after the initial launch.
• Customers can now purchase or research information about the Resort 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Since the site is easily used by non-technical members of the Snow Trails staff, three times as much information is now available on the web for customers to refer to.
• Staff is using the web more. Including using it as a training tool, for event reference, and for Media inquiries.
The Benefits:
• Speed. WONDER Web & Sales deployed in 90 days.
• Cost control. Modular solution means that additional site features can be implemented when time and resources allow.
• Return on Investment. Immediate sales mean they can start recouping development fees in the first year.
• One-stop support. Marketing & Technical support from nxtConcepts eliminates need for other outside support staff.
• High availability. Guaranteed SLA (Service Level Agreement) of 99.7 percent site uptime. Critical for a seasonal business with ecommerce.
• Security. 24x7x365 monitoring of systems and network. Access to state-of-the-art redundancy and disaster recovery services.
• Freedom. Ability to focus on core ski resort functions. nxtConcepts takes care of the rest.
About nxtConcepts & WONDER:
At nxtConcepts we provide a unique resource for business owners and managers. We do this by being a Point Company for clients, by managing nxtConcepts.com, and as a distributor of WONDER, marketing integrated technology.
nxtConcepts works with service organizations which recognize that the customer is the foundation of their success and are looking for new and innovative ways to build stronger relationships with them. We rely on inspired ideas, alternative marketing, and cutting edge technology to build and maintain business.
nxtConcepts is also the Exclusive Distributor of the WONDER Business Suite:
WONDER Web; Breaking the barriers of change.
WONDER Sales; Business without limits.
WONDER Projects; The alternative to email.
WONDER Service; Helping Customers find answers.
WONDER Marketing; Innovative programs that break barriers.
nxtConcepts maximizes the benefits of your WONDER applications with an intimate knowledge of the software coupled with an understanding of your unique business requirements. By relying on the consulting arm of the team that built WONDER, you benefit from greater access to all of WONDER's resources. Even more important, you get single-point accountability and our commitment to the success of your imitative.
To set up a customized demonstration of how we can help you, please call 888-215-0820 or visit http://www.nxtConcepts.com.
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