August 2019 - Conti Tevesna

If you are hosting an event that’s coming up or you need to mass produce marketing material, you’re going to have to think about how you’re going to physically produce the material people will read. One way you can go about sourcing your flyers, brochures and other paper-based materials is to engage professional online printing services.

But what advantages does this method have when compared with a brick and mortar provider? Let’s take a look at the key advantages of online printing services.

What can online printing offer?

This kind of service allows you to have anything from custom designed clothing to banners and business cards made on a massive scale. This is ideal when you need to mass produce something at the lowest possible costs and when you need it in a short amount of time.

Benefits of using online printing services

Using this kind of service will give you a lot more freedom and control over what you have produced regardless of what purpose they are meant to serve. The fact that you are customizing your order digitally gives you far more room to edit at the last minute with graphics and text.

This means that you can be confident you will be able to alter the design in an emergency and cut your losses rather than be stuck with a large order based off a physical copy that couldn’t be altered mid-way. If you have a spelling mistake on your flyer, it’s much cheaper and faster to fix with online printing rather than in-store alternatives.

Most of the time this kind of service is going to be cheaper than a brick and mortar shop as they will have reduced their expenses by not running a physical storefront. They will also often have discount codes you can apply to your digital cart to get an ever better deal from them.

Also, some providers can also give you a ‘proof’ or mock-up version of what you want to you can make sure its satisfactory before committing to a large order. This can save you a lot of time otherwise spent fixing a costly mistake.

Using online printing will also give you more control over how you track the progress of the order and when it will be delivered to you. This helps you to work within strict deadlines.

Finding the right online printing provider for your needs

Of course, providers come in all different shapes and sizes, so you shouldn’t just go with the first candidate you come across. It’s prudent to do some research into the online printing provider to ensure they’re standards are modern and that you’ll be getting good value for your money.

You should take a look at the feedback and testimonials on their website (if they have any) and look at the other brands they have worked with. Ideally, a provider should be proud to demonstrate to you the kind of orders they have delivered in the past, so they can give you peace of mind about their ability to get the job done.

You should also take a look to see if there are any special offers or discounts you can take advantage of. Make sure to read about their pricing so that you don’t end up with any nasty surprise once you get the invoice from them.

Hopefully the above will make it easier for you to engage reputable and effective online printing providers.

Shopping for a domestic hot water cylinder should be relatively simple and straightforward.

There are a handful of energy sources that can be used, from electric and natural gas to electrical, but a plethora of cylinder sizes that store the water itself.

That range of choice is good news, but there are providers who sell shopper short.

Time to open a discussion about the most prevalent red flags that are raised by consumers in this market.

No Informative Advice or Flexible Options Presented

Providers of a domestic hot water cylinder should be able to take onboard the quantity demands, terrain and budget of the consumer and present them with a series of suitable options. When there are gaps for intellectual property to showcase a low level of expertise, that is a red flag for shoppers to avoid at all costs. Sometimes it is a signal of poor customer service, but in many instances it will be a result of a lack of investment at a local level. Customers in this industry want flexibility, taking onboard advice of specialists who have years behind them in the industry. When those details are kept confidential and discussions do not elaborate beyond what is presented on the website or in store, that is a signal that they are doing a disservice.

Lack of One-on-One Maintenance Care

From natural gas and solar to electric brands, domestic hot water cylinders need ongoing maintenance and care. Even if these consultations are only booked on an annual basis, they need a specialist to arrive on site and ensure they are running at an optimal level. This will indicate whether or not they are viable and need any repairs or replacements ordered. If all of that heavy lifting for booking maintenance has to be undertaken by the consumer, then they are not looking out for the interests of their constituents.

Well Above Market Price

It barely takes 60 seconds for the average consumer to gauge how much domestic hot water cylinders will likely cost. Just by a generic Google search on a mobile device, users can access a global economy where prices and brands are brandished unfiltered, removing any confusion about how much a 100L or 200L model will require at the bottom line. If their goods are consistently above those valuations with no inclusions for installation and warranty, then they should be avoided.

Lack of Extensive Warranty

Domestic hot water cylinders that are offered to constituents without protecting their investment under an extensive warranty are not doing their customers justice. Despite the best technology implemented from developers and all of the protective measures that are put in place for gas, electric and solar brands, businesses have to mitigate against risks from internal and external sources. These policies can range anywhere between 5 to 10 or 20 years in some cases. Customers should be wary of outlets that shortchange through a minimal warranty agreement.

Poor Rating For Energy Efficiency

Domestic hot water cylinders have to stand next to their peers on the count of energy efficiency. If they are items that require a higher consumption of energy to produce the same hot water service, they are not worthy of the business of local consumers. One of the best elements of shopping in this sector is the transparency that is enforced for brands operating in this marketplace. Courtesy of an energy star rating system, each outlet is rated out of 6 stars by an independent arbiter. The lower the star rating, the worse the brand is.

Summary

These red flags from suppliers of domestic hot water cylinders are signals for homeowners and consumers everywhere. They illustrate some home truths about the business and their ultimate values as a brand, forgoing quality care and service for local constituents in favour of boosting their own revenue and avoiding their responsibility. There are quality outlets that exist in the market, but sometimes it requires contact with an untrustworthy provider before a genuine one can be sourced and appreciated.

The Key Advantages Of Using Online Printing Services