In Search Of A VAR Button At Dell.Com

Metaverse Editor Direct2Dell announced

The title of the post was, "Is it Possible to be Everything to Everybody?"

She wrote:

On a random basis, customers who click onto Dell.com will see a beta version of the redesigned site. Thomas has posted a screen shot of the site on her blog item. But when I looked at it, there seemed to be something missing. In the comments, I wrote, "Laura, Will the new design include a 'find a reseller' link?"

HP has a link to reseller sites. So does Apple, IBM and Sun. Most vendors who work with channel partners have some variation of a "find a reseller" button on their home page. Dell, which has grown up with a direct-to-end user heritage, never has. But Michael Dell now acknowledges that many customers prefer to buy through a reseller. Dell executives are now scratching out a channel program and formal strategy in both in-house meetings and private meetings with solution providers. They say they want to do business with the channel.

Thomas responded to my note and wrote, "Ed- interesting idea. As we expand our retail intitiatives it's certainly something we should consider. Thanks for the feedback."

Dell and Dell.com can't be everything to everybody. But for the customers who prefer to buy through a reseller, one button on the company home page could certainly be something.