Jape, you may be right in the sense that GONT does have something to show potential customers in their SGOL page. Namely, that they can build a decent-looking web page. I hope they don't use Auctionomics as an example.
They could always check out the gallery of GONT's work:
goon-line.com
But their "working commerce site" is a far cry from building a B2B site. Trust me. I'm working on a huge one now. It will take months to get right.
With GONT's "commerce site" right now, they don't have to worry much about B2B problems. All they do is run a short description of a product, collect the money, take their cut, give the rest of the money to the vendor. Not to say that the web site does not take a good deal of money and work to operate, but the goals are relatively simple.
A B2B operation, however, is far more complicated. You have to have good software to run the accounting system, to begin with. I have no idea what GONT will use, but I highly doubt they will try to write some. Buying it will be a significant expense and cut into profits. This is why the hot "B2B" stocks are those offering software solutions, not designing web pages.
Second, I don't see anyone with B2B experience at GONT. It's hard to deliver to customers with no understanding of their goals or problems.
Third, GONT's lack of business with SGOL is very much a matter of public record, and unlikely to impress anyone.
Fourth, the "copy and content" part of the equation is a killer. GONT is likely to get bogged down needing more information on the site, and spending more time, than they ever imagined. There's a big difference between selling a videotape and say, a microwave oven. You don't need to know the dimensions of a DVD, how many watts it operates at, whether it has preset buttons defining certain times and temperatures for certain foods... and so on.
Sorry, looks like just GONT jumping into yet another business it doesn't understand and will lose lots of money at, merely because it gains "buzzwords" to help sell more stock. More sweetheart "consulting" deals for Joe's friends, and "acquiring" companies that don't exist. Scott Claverie being given 1.2 million shares (plus cash) to write the SGOL page? Sounds like a lot from here.
Regarding in-room access... this requires a tremendous amount of money GONT does not have. And I am not sure about hotels being pleased with "dealing with GONT", since I doubt they have much contact with anyone at GONT. The salespeople are independent contractors, and the repair guys don't work for GONT either. |
