Jaz’D! Releases Research Report - Shows Directory Of Chemical Producers Fall Short

JAZD Markets, the leader in on-line B2B directory driven marketing as a service (MaaS), today released findings from a completed a study of 445 Chemical industry executives that focus on buying the needed goods and services within their companies. Jaz’d! research clearly shows that the basic requirements for purchasing in the chemical vertical are not being met by current on-line and off-line company directories/buyers guides or chemical content portals and that buyers are being forced to turn to vendor websites, product specific directories and general search engines to bridge the gap.

Most Valuable Resources for Buyers - rated either valuable or extremely valuable:

1. Vendor Websites - 81%
2. Product Specific Directories - 75%
3. General Search Engines - 73%

Least Valuable Resources for Buyers - rated either not valuable or do not use:

1. Research Firm Websites – 53%
2. Chemical Trade Magazine Websites- 51%
3. Chemical specific Search Engines - 44%

Buyers are expecting more than the 1,000 page book that sits on the desk ear marked for the listings of companies that they know and frequent. Buyers can’t understand why such a basic on-line capability continues to be unaddressed by current solutions. The lack of development and perceived low user value has driven sellers to alternatives to engage buyers in meaningful dialogue. The Jaz’d! study shows that while Chemical trade publications and on-line content sites still have active and highly qualified readership they continue to fail to understand how to drive real value for users on-line other than presenting them with articles and display advertising that they are not interested in.

Key features that chemical buyers require from an on-line buying resource:

1. Complete listing of all companies and products - not just those that are paid advertisers!
2. Ability to sort options geographically - an alpha based listing of companies is not sufficient
3. Side by side product comparisons with meaningful features compared - I can do it on any B2C site
4. Downloadable product specifications and brochures - don’t make me pay or register to be a lead
5. Get a quote with valid pricing - now I am ready to speak with a vendor

As the on-line world starts to embrace social and community based capabilities buyers are starting to look for the same capabilities within their B2B on-line resources. Similar to the basic directory capabilities listed above traditional on-line resources in Chemical have failed to keep pace. The Jaz’d! study shows that chemical is ready to apply the Myspace and Facebook era in purchasing. Albeit the pace of adoption will focus on basic buying related needs for the foreseeable future.

Social Features that Chemical executives are looking for and place great value on:

1. User generated ratings and reviews by company and product
2. Product related discussion forums for buyers
3. Ability to connect with other buyers and share ideas about products and vendors

At Jaz’d! we are listening hard to this very clear feedback. We will launch  www.Jazdchemicals.com in May in partnership with a leading Chemical Industry Publishing Group. It will be the first full functionality chemical directory in the market. The directory platform will include detailed directory functionality, complete company and product listings by taxonomy and georgraphy, audio and video media all coupled with detailed social community capabilities. The directory platform for chemical will finally offer both buyers and sellers in chemical a chance to meet all of their needs.