Topic No. 4:   Suggestion for improvement in marketing of HP handicraft, handloom, flowericulture and horticulture products
                      through a Web Based Marketing Portal

          Suggestion for improvement in marketing of HP handicraft, handloom, flowericulture and horticulture products through a Web Based Marketing Portal For the country like India, the markiting through web portal is not feasible solution. Because of the poor accesibility of the internet and to know about such specific sites is really a hectic job. Also web portal advertisement is expensive enough in comparison to the reach to the prospect customers.
          What I feel is that we should see the way, how country MALASIA is advertising about its naturtal beauty, cultures and various Small scale industries by advertissing on TV and covering themself in various leading newspapers. If we compare the reach to the prospect customer and cost involved, the above mentioned solution is very much feasible.
          It will also boost the tourism and in term a better growth propect for other industries involve.

          The marketing of handicrafts, handlooms, flowericulture and horticulture products through a web portal is quite feasible.
          1) Who are our customers? I am sure, we are not targetting domestic market through web. Most of the buyers are international and the internet penetration is not a point of concern there.
          2) A portal has a far reaching reach. But, we need to build e-payment facility with in the portal, without which the whole purpose will be defeated. We need to shore up our logistic management for the effective supply of goods. Once the marketing is done effectively backed by efficient supply of goods, I am sure there is pretty good market for Indian handicrafts outside India. and Web-marketing is a very cost effective medium. Govt. of Himachal Pradesh must explore this opportunity. But the decision to build a potal must be backed by sound buiness model.
          3) Govt. of HP must study the success stories like Marketing of Chanderi Silk through web (MP), Bangles (Karnatka) etc.
          4) In addition, the conceptualization of the portal should be done meticulously and professionaly by taking the help of some professional consultant.

          Suggestion for improvement in marketing of HP handicraft, handloom, flowericulture and horticulture products through a Web Based Marketing Portal As far as marketing of HP handicraft, handloom, flowericulture and horticulture products through a Web Based Marketing Portal is concerned, I think first of all we should make clear cut policy regarding marketing of these products through internet.
          Most of the suppliers are from rural areas. First of all they should be well aware of the quality and standards of product, there should be one nodal agency which collect their product and take care of delivery of material because most of the potential customers are from abroad. Proper advertisement should be done on various famous portals as well as extensive advertisement is required on various international channels like Star, Discovery, National Geographic and various business channels, merely launching the portal could not achieve the goal. Farmers are also required be familiar with the portal concept, Packaging should be of international standard, so these are some proposals through which we can make this web portal successful.

          Suggestion for improvement in marketing of HP handicraft, handloom, flowericulture and horticulture products through a Web Based Marketing Portal In my view Govt. either on its own or through corporate participation should first setup exclusive stores at various shopping malls across the country for Himachali handicraft, handloom, flowriculture and horticultural products (may be reinvent himachal emporiums) making a strong brand for these products as today customer is extremly brand concious and a web based portal can be extremely beneficial for suppy chain management as well as marketing for domestic as well as International consumer.

          Suggestion for improvement in marketing of HP handicraft, handloom, flowericulture and horticulture products through a Web Based Marketing Portal The idea appears to be good but we have to work out a few things before going in for the portal. Firstly the customer has to have a physical feel of the product. Secondly when a brand HP has been created care should be taken that exact product that the customer wants should reach him, that is, we have to have honesty in delivering the products. Finally we have to have a very good supply chain mechanism so as to support the system.

          In the age of information technology, the initiative to launch the web based marketing portal for our products is innovative idea. We should also aware with the fact that we are facing sharp competition with other states in field of handlooms etc., therefore, emphasis should be laid on the Manual sales promotion by setting up new outlets in the various cities in the domestic market. I think many people even of our states are not aware with own products.
          It becomes mandatory that we should set-up new Marketing-Center equipped with Internet facility and trained manpower to interact with clients at large in the domestic and as well as international market. Since our handlooms is internationally famous. An intensive marketing through making database of clients; their requirements; and skilled communication with them will be helpful for the web-based marketing. Along with web based marketing Tele marketing; letter communication; Email communication; personal visits to customers place shall also be increased. For the marketing promotion, we should come forward with innovative techniques with skilled manpowers, which is easily available.

      Hi readers,
           what I think about this topic is, firstly we have to educate people how this web based business works. I imagine that only 10% to 15% people in Himachal only know about the computer and in between them only 5% of people know how the online business can be done. So that all people involved in handicraft, handloom, flowericulture and horticulture products can make their own website and sell their products globally.

                 Its a good step for boosting employment opportunity in the State. Government should take necessary steps in this direction. Not only, it will provide employment opportunity, it will also help the Government to tackle with the unemployment as well.

                 Web Based Marketing Portal can be boon for our farmers for improvement in marketing of HP handicraft, handloom, flowericulture and horticulture products. We have no shortage of talent, rather thing is to explore and exploit and it needs inspiration and encouragement for achieving it. We need to promote and advertise our handicraft, handloom, flowericulture and horticulture products to the masses. Web based system can help in achieving it more easily and effectively.

                 You should ask all artisns and Handicraft Products Manufacturers to register their company and all their products for FREE with www.HandiCraftDirectory.com

                 1) e-commerce shuold be promoted in the field of marketing these products. 2) Brands in horticullture & floriculture products should be promoted, moreover grading of the produce on the international lines should be maintained. 3) Tissue culture labs should be promoted & financial help shoud be povided at very feasible costs. 4) Horticulture & all other products should be considered as export items.

                 It is a must and the best concept which any government should go for. Today the growing markets internationally can prove to be a boom for the HP handicraft, handloom, flowericulture and horticulture products and the best way to target and reach out the global people is through web based marketing portal.

                 The point is that we need an IT Professional who knows people there or can be based there. There would be some kind of union or association of the handicrafts, horticulture, and floriculture. the IT person can interact with the leader of that kind of a group and with his help can make a portal which would be of immense interest to the locals and to other people who would be able to take advantage of this portal. This would increase the economy of HP like it has never been. Hope this helps.

                 I think hosting a promotional website for advertising the handicrafts and other products for free for sometime will do the trick. As once the people start using the products, it will spread by word of mouth.