Modern Consumers Want Robust Products, Not Knock-Offs
We’re going through something of a revolution in consumer attitudes. The average shopper – especially those who live in cities – doesn’t want flimsy imports from overseas that fail after a couple of weeks. They want robust products built to stand the test of time.
This phenomenon is emerging for two reasons.
The first has to do with increasing concern about the effects of consumerism on the environment. Many shoppers now believe that their habits are damaging to the environment and that they need to curb their consumerist tendencies. Today, how long they expect a product to last is almost as important as the price.
The second reason comes down to fundamental economic realities. Data suggests that the average person is about ten percent worse off than they were in 2010. Thus, they can’t afford to buy cheap, disposable tat every month. When they purchase a product, they expect it to last.
Companies, therefore, are having to react to these trends. We’re seeing increased emphasis in marketing on products that last a long time and are made domestically. We also see the rise of extended warranties, allowing customers to get their money back if the product fails. This trend incentivizes firms to create something that will last.
The question for entrepreneurs like you, therefore, is how to create these products. What strategies and policies do you need to put in place to make it happen so that it will lead to lasting success?
Train Your Designers
Designers need to understand the dimensions that are important to consumers. It is no longer enough to make something that looks good. Online reviews mean that people quickly find out whether you’re in the business of supplying products that last.
Fortunately, you can now get GD&T training online, allowing you to cut costs and fast-track your investment in people.
You can also create a brand identity document that includes primary motivations, one of which could be to build products that last.
Use High-Quality Materials
Ten years ago, Apple showed that there was an appetite for stylish, high-quality electronics made of expensive materials, like brushed aluminum. Since then, rivals have followed suit, effectively admitting that the Cupertino tech giant was right.
It wasn’t just that it had hit on a new aesthetic. The reason for the success of the iPad and iPhone was that they provided a sense of permanence. People touched their Apple products and immediately felt like they were interacting with something from a higher plane. It was certainly different from anything that went before.
Use The Latest Design Technologies
Creating something that lasts often requires using the latest design technologies. Products can fail because of a single point-failure, forcing the consumer to replace it. Intelligent new algorithms, however, can show you which parts of the product you need to reinforce to make sure that it stands the test of time. Where possible, use AI and generative design techniques.
Once you build a product that consumers like, you automatically give yourself an advantage in the marketplace. All of a sudden, everyone wants what you offer.
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