The JVC site presents an attractive face for one of Japan's largest
retail electronics companies. Attempts have been made towards
facilitating the company's customer relationship, with its Customer
Corner and J-Club for example, but the site is little more than an
online brochure. While this is a good beginning as a local online
marketing tool for JVC, increased interactivity will be expected in
future developments.
The site is crafted in a graphic style that communicates a sexy,
techno-progressive brand image. Consistent navigation holds the site
together, assisting users in locating products and services, although
the colour palette and graphic treatment hinders readability. A
convenient search function is also present, but its keyword index needs
refinement - it finds 'tv', for example, but not 'television'.
Besides its product catalogue, there are some nice features with
immediate benefit to customers. Users can download software/drivers for
JVC products, such as digital camcorders, as well as schedule repair
orders through a link to a related, service company site. The 'J-Club'
offers standard benefits (product news, promotions, games) for those
that are interested.
Ultimately, the goal of the site must be questioned. As a high-class
brochure-ware it succeeds. Unlike most local sites, it has decent
navigation and an attractive graphic treatment. If the site represents
the online ambitions of JVC, then the potential of the web is being
sorely neglected.
We would expect such a leader in consumer technology to push the
boundaries a little further.
