It's an Odd Odd Odd Odd World

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

Hi

I would really like your feedback on a new form of marketing called SitePal.

Ok you ask, what is it?

You encounter an animation that is both interactive and helpful, it's both a shock and oddly compelling. It actually feels like you have a live guide on site with you, right up to the part where you realize you have ability to change her haircut....

The marketing value of the tool is clearly huge: the character interface improves communications by bringing digital content to life quickly, easily and cost-effectively.

Would you use the product?

take a look www.sitepal.co.uk or contact tony@oddcast.co.uk

[CG Effect]

It's creepy

[daveashton]

It is a bit slow!
a bit creepy
a bit to american for me
Oh and when you change it to a bloke the voice does not change and hence he sounds camp. Sorry!

[RockLinks]

I think is pointless to be honest

[LT]

i wasnt expecting it to talk to me when i clicked the link. it scared the pants off me!!!! :!:

[coxadmin]

I didn't like it - especially when the voice spoke before the page had fully loaded. I personally do not feel I would want it on my website.

[Rob Holmes]

the proof of anything like this for me is if it increases or decreases sales.

Sometimes you never know until you try!

Some of the characters are a little 'zombie' looking, just staring and following the mouse around the screen.

I am very tempted to see how it affects sales.

(And I like gimicks and gadgets!)

Rob

[VeryMark]

The voice is too American, the mouth animation not sufficiently natural, and the range of customisation features too limited.

[Rob Holmes]

@Tony..

How much influence do you have over the voices and options ?

I'd like a character with a nice soft Irish or Scottish accent please :)

Rob

[Whistle Ink]

I have to say I like it! The eyes do follow your cursor around. I think they can only be a positive thing at this stage (will they become common place in the future?) like pop up ads?

You can't switch them off straight away can you? or mute it as I cant see any buttons underneath it.

If it helps sales then its worth it.

I still think it makes the whole experience more personal, bringing the sales assistant to the web, putting a 'face' to the business.

Are there others in the market? Is it a case of the others not being too far behind?

[Shaggy]

Sorry it's freaky....and somewhat pointless!!

[Ozzy]

Hi,
I've seen them before already, and to be honest don't find it particularly useful, but a nice gimmick.

[Rob Holmes]

Well we decided to give it a go on some of the main pages on the Matrixx Hosting site and test to see if it affects sales at all (either way).

I can see that it's a love/hate sort of thing.

Rob

[Ozzy]

I'd be interested in knowing how you get on with it please.

[Rob Holmes]

Sure,

Well I found it easy to setup - I got most presentations on a page (including writing a short script) in around 20 minutes per page.

I then spent a little time tweaking the words so they sounded clearer.

As for the sales - we'll have to see - but I'll let you know!

Rob

[VeryMark]

I looked at the Matrixx site, Rob, and like the idea of spoken information as an "add on" to a site. The only problem is the accent and the mouth animation could do with being better, I think.

[ebonybailey]

You can change the voice, I had a look at some of there customers sites and some where british voices. You can also change the pic as well.

I thought it was rather good too Matrix. I am seriously considering it, please let me know what the feedback is.

Michael

[SillyJokes]

I don't have sound on this computer and many people surf with the sounds off anyway - so it is lost on these people.

I'm sure someone here had a site with one of these on - I wonder if they have any feedback on it.

The thing about someone spouting off at you is that you either ignore it or you have to sit and listen - you can't access the information at your own pace.

I mean, how often do you walk into a shop and stop and listen to a demonstrator - not that often and usually only when they are doing something clever with radishes or are offering tasters. A talking head on it's own isn't going to hold your attention.

One way to deliver this to people in an acceptable way is to have a button to click to activate the talking head. See how many people want to do this. I bet they only do it once. If they are regular visitors to your site it is not going to take long for the talking head to get 'old'.

As for increasing sales... I would be sceptical since Tony is an affiliate of this site pal.

[Rigs]

I'm not too fond of an animated talking head, might be an idea to have the actual video of someone I think it would be more interesting; flash mx now allows videos to be streamed off a regular HTTP server, and I've seen that technique used with some Star Wars III adverts :)

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

Many thanks for the feedback on the sitepal product. I would like to add that i am the UK partner for Oddcast in New York and i am here to answer any questions you may have on the product.

From what i read some of you like it and some hate it

The good news is that i can pass on all your comments to Oddcast to help to improve the product for UK users.

I have seen an increase in sales since joining the Forum so i hope those that are using the product see good results.

Best

Tony

[Rob Holmes]

From what i read some of you like it and some hate it

Marmite does alright and thats a love/hate thing too ;)

Rob

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

I don't have sound on this computer and many people surf with the sounds off anyway - so it is lost on these people.

I'm sure someone here had a site with one of these on - I wonder if they have any feedback on it.

The thing about someone spouting off at you is that you either ignore it or you have to sit and listen - you can't access the information at your own pace.

I mean, how often do you walk into a shop and stop and listen to a demonstrator - not that often and usually only when they are doing something clever with radishes or are offering tasters. A talking head on it's own isn't going to hold your attention.

One way to deliver this to people in an acceptable way is to have a button to click to activate the talking head. See how many people want to do this. I bet they only do it once. If they are regular visitors to your site it is not going to take long for the talking head to get 'old'.

As for increasing sales... I would be sceptical since Tony is an affiliate of this site pal.


Thanks for warning people to be sceptical as i am only affiliate of this site pal. I am the UK partner for the company and that is why it is called www.sitepal.co.uk. I started out as a affiliate for the product and with years of working for next to nothing i was given the partnership by Oddcast. I would like to thank you for your comments as they help us to improve the product for all.

Regards

Tony Castle

www.sitepal.co.uk

[SillyJokes]

I am sorry if my sceptism is missplaced this time.

This forum suffers from a high level of spammers, and so I have become more and more suspicious of anyone who makes claims to increase sales and then sends people through to a website with an affiliate code divert.

I can see that your offering is a genuine product and you were honestly looking for feedback so I am sorry for any offence.

However my comments on it still stand and I'm sure we discussed it on another thread on this forum which you may be able to find and see what we said when we didn't know you were going to read it!

Good luck with your business.

[Ozzy]

Following on from SillyJokes comment about having a button to switch in on, my thoughts are that it could be useful as a Support tool for guiding people through a complicated part of a website ... which is where I am considering its use ;)

[epiphany]

You lost my attention within the first few lines of your marketing spiel :)

I too surf with sounds off.

[RockLinks]

Well i listen to loud Music so always have my volume up, when i hit a site with one of the talking charectors on and they speak and it always comes through the speakers really loud and i end up with my head through the ceiling! :D

[CG Effect]

Im like that have my PC pluged into a 220 watt amplifier.

[RockLinks]

Its crazy!

[Rob Holmes]

I'd be interested in knowing how you get on with it please.

We chose to remove the lovely lady from our pages after just 2 days.

Back to a quiet site :)

Rob

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

I'd be interested in knowing how you get on with it please.

We chose to remove the lovely lady from our pages after just 2 days.

Back to a quiet site :)

Rob

2 Days!! give the lady a chance to settle in

Back to the job centre for this host

Thanks for trying out the product.

Regards

Tony

www.sitepal.co.uk

[Rob Holmes]

2 Days!! give the lady a chance to settle in

Back to the job centre for this host

Thanks for trying out the product.



Hi Tony,

Feedback from clients and potential clients was very clear ;)

One thing I would add is that just because it didn't work for us - doesn't mean it won't work for others.

The customer services team replied very quickly to my email and assured me a refund would be with me within 24 hrs.

Rob

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

2 Days!! give the lady a chance to settle in

Back to the job centre for this host

Thanks for trying out the product.



Hi Tony,

Feedback from clients and potential clients was very clear ;)

One thing I would add is that just because it didn't work for us - doesn't mean it won't work for others.

The customer services team replied very quickly to my email and assured me a refund would be with me within 24 hrs.

Rob


Rob

Thanks for trying out the product.

You will receive your refund so no need to worry there.

I want to be honest with all of you with regard to the sitepal product and thank you all for the feedback given so far. On Rob site the character was using text2speech which is ok but can never sound like the real voice. I would suggest that from the sites i have seen your own voice works best with the product.

With regard to the character becoming boring and annoying i do agree with those comments. However there is a feature to stop the character repeating itself when you return to that page. I have found that from feedback on other sites most do not like the animated cartoon look of the characters. Some feel that this look does not fit with their business image and will affect sales. There are now New photo realistic characters that are far better for that professional look.

I think that is clear from everyone that you want the choice to select character to speak and not have it start talking as soon as you go to a site. I do agree with this myself and have passed on the comments back to Oddcast in New York.

Overall this is a New product and it is early days - maybe in a few years it will be gone or with better improvements it may be used by many who knows?

I do think that it will used more when you can upload your photo and the software turns you into a virtual character

see http://www.staging.oddcast.com/demo/loreal_persona/

Regards

Tony

www.sitepal.co.uk

[Rob Holmes]

I think it has massive potential once it is developed more.

:)

Rob

[Ozzy]

Yes that service to use your own picture does look very promising. I'll keep an eye on your service and see how it progresses.

[creative-keyrings]

There is a program already made called DigiMask. It allows you to create a digital head of yourself using 2 images one of your face and one of the side of your head.

This can then be turned into a 3d model and be used in gaming and potentially could be used with this SitePal software, i think you should get into contact with digimask.


http://www.digimask.com/

[RSL]

The technology is impressive if a little creepy...I can see how it may work on some sites though, particularly educational sites!

[Webstuff]

Make Rabbits and un-realistic pandas - they'd go down great with small kids. You could probably get some amazing response from sites dealing with small children. Try a site like CartoonNetwork, that has its "membership" areas. They might be interested.

[Webstuff]

But replace the american accent. That wouldn't go down so well on an English site :P Give it a really strong west-country accent.

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

Make Rabbits and un-realistic pandas - they'd go down great with small kids. You could probably get some amazing response from sites dealing with small children. Try a site like CartoonNetwork, that has its "membership" areas. They might be interested.

please see

spongebob character demo

http://vhost.oddcast.com/vhssplayer.php?acc=12795&ss=192458&sl=489732&l=1&h=327&w=500&bc=FF9999&mid=18909&t=0

Regards

Tony

www.sitepal.co.uk

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

But replace the american accent. That wouldn't go down so well on an English site :P Give it a really strong west-country accent.

New characters now added to SitePal

Best

Tony

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

I didn't like it - especially when the voice spoke before the page had fully loaded. I personally do not feel I would want it on my website.

Try it for 30 days, it could increase your sales!!

best

Tony

[Rob Holmes]

I came across these test results of Sitepal the other day.

It's by someone I really respect from the internet community ..

http://www.wilsonweb.com/art/convert/sitepal1.htm?source=rss

Rob

[directmarketingadvice]

It's the sort of thing I would normally hate, but I can see that it might have its uses.

How is the audio produced? Is it computer generated from text?

Have there been tests on the difference between

(1) audio with a photo of the speaker above it
(2) sitepal

Also, does anyone here use audio on their own sites and, if so, how has it worked out and what lessons have you learned about how to do it?

Steve

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

It's the sort of thing I would normally hate, but I can see that it might have its uses.

How is the audio produced? Is it computer generated from text?

Have there been tests on the difference between

(1) audio with a photo of the speaker above it
(2) sitepal

Also, does anyone here use audio on their own sites and, if so, how has it worked out and what lessons have you learned about how to do it?

Steve

Steve

Audio can be added to any SitePal by using SitePal easy online recording software (no downloads) or use the New text-2-speech voices. Plus there are many professional voices to choose from.

Like SitePal or hate it?

Just take a look at the showcase on the site to see how others are using the product to increase profits!

Best

Tony

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

I came across these test results of Sitepal the other day.

It's by someone I really respect from the internet community ..

http://www.wilsonweb.com/art/convert/sitepal1.htm?source=rss

Rob

Rob

With the 30 day money back guarantee if gives folks time to try the product in this way.

Best

Tony

[Cornish Steve]

But replace the american accent. That wouldn't go down so well on an English site :P Give it a really strong west-country accent.

I can offer an American accent superimposed on a strong west-country accent. Maybe I can launch a new career as voice talent. :)

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

But replace the american accent. That wouldn't go down so well on an English site :P Give it a really strong west-country accent.

I can offer an American accent superimposed on a strong west-country accent. Maybe I can launch a new career as voice talent. :)

Voice-Overs is good cash for old rope

i currently pay £350 per hour recording

Go for it

sitepal has thousands of customers who could maybe use really strong west-country accent

Best

Tony

[Tiggy]

At worst it's creepy!
At best it's annoying!

I tend to think, read, navigate a site etc very quickly. This thing is just slowing me down and making me impatient.


Tiggy :)

[SillyJokes]

Tony, I was thinking about the issue of professional voice talents. It strikes me that voices are a bit like models.

While most of us wouldn't consider ourselves 'model material' and leave that to professional skinny people, everyone thinks they can talk. But they can't. Which is why the talking heads which use the owners' voices always sound a bit dodgy - unless, that is, they actually do have a mesmerising voice (like John Humphries or Zoe Wannamaker).

I bet most people who start with their own voice get better results if they stump up the cash for a professional voice talent.

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

At worst it's creepy!
At best it's annoying!

I tend to think, read, navigate a site etc very quickly. This thing is just slowing me down and making me impatient.


Tiggy :)

Tiggy

You say a SitePal character is slowing you down and making you impatient.

So you must be waiting to hear what the character will say.

It's doing it's job, it keeps you on the site.

Maybe the look of the character is not to your taste or the spoken content is poor?

Overall the product is doing it's what it was designed for, just ask l'Oreal

http://www.sitepal.co.uk/lo.jpg

http://www.lorealparis.co.uk/minisites/purezone/home.asp

Best

Tony

[Marina Stone]

My kids love it! Really interested in what she had to say! I suppose she looks a little like a cartoon. Perhaps you now have a new target market?

Toys r us... watch out!

Marina

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

My kids love it! Really interested in what she had to say! I suppose she looks a little like a cartoon. Perhaps you now have a new target market?

Toys r us... watch out!

Marina

Thanks Marina

http://www.sitepal.co.uk/rus.jpg

http://demo.oddcast.com/toysrus/

Kids will love the New! characters that are coming soon.

Best

Tony