If you've ever bought anything from an Internet site, you will have experienced bespoke functionality at work. Even if you've only registered for a newsletter, or taken part in an online quiz, it's bespoke functionality that lets you do it.
Most website developers can add bespoke functionality to your website. Whether you're building a website from scratch, or working from a template, there's always the option of adding something extra that will appeal to your customers. Here are some examples of how bespoke functionality can work on your website:
1. Multiple Purchase
Adding an option to buy items in bulk, for a saving on the total price, is a great additional benefit for your customers, and should encourage them to return to your site.
2. Shopping Lists
Used by many of the online shopping sites, this functionality enables you to save your shopping list so that you can re-visit it the next time you're shopping, making the process quicker and easier for the user.
3. Appointment Booking
Online appointment booking is a great facility for service businesses like hairdressers or health spas. Customers can book appointments at their convenience and the business can email a confirmation. Bespoke functionality like this, in a hairdressers for example, allows clients to book their appointment with their favourite stylist and select the type of cut they require.
4. Distance Learning
Widely used by colleges, universities and businesses, where online tests, quizzes and revision aids can be accessed remotely by students.
5. Product Recommendations
This type of bespoke functionality doesn't just meet a customer need, it promotes cross-selling. Used by some of the most successful e-commerce sites, it allows companies to promote its range of products to a customer who's in the process of ordering. "Other customers who bought X have also bought Y and Z", encourages users to add to their shopping trolley.
6. Login Pages
Used to collect user data for marketing and monitoring projects, many sites incorporate a login page. The login fields can be adapted to your company's requirements.
7. Online Quotes
Used by nearly all the big insurance companies, and by other service industries, quote forms enable you to fill in all the details that the company needs and they can either provide you with an immediate online quote, or they will call or email with your quote within a set timescale.
By its nature, bespoke functionality can be whatever you want it to be. Remember though that some website development is more complex to create and therefore may be more expensive, and you need to be sure that whatever functionality you choose it is relevant to your customers and will benefit your business.