service-examples

Service Examples

This is an exploratory page to document service examples currently published around the web. Typically, the metadata associated with this content is stored in non-semantic markup and proprietary formats. The purpose of the studies on this page is to serve as background for the design of a simple distributed service microformat.

Real World Examples

• [relocation services]
• [legal services]
• [financial services]
• [hair-dresing services]
• [web design services]

Example #1 (Web Scene Solutions)

<table>
    <tr>
      <td height="126" colspan="4" align="left" valign="middle" class="bodytext3"><div align="justify">
        <p class="bodytext3">For more information on our powerful, stylish and low cost <strong>Webscene eCommerce web design</strong> solutions click <a href="ecommerce-shopping-websites-edinburgh.htm">here</a></p>
          <p align="justify" class="bodytext3">We have recently <u>slashed</u> our prices - do NOT be deceived by these low prices. We own the entire eCommerce solution and therefore have no costs to 3rd parties. This is a powerful solution which can have you up and running and selling within 2-3 weeks. It includes powerful search engine tools, content management system, gift voucher and gift card features, unlimited categories and products, search engine optimisation and submission, website vistor statistics, domain name and much much more. </p>

          <p align="justify" class="bodytext3"><br />
            </p>
      </div></td>
        <td></td>
    </tr>
    
    <tr>
      <td height="175" colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p class="bodytext3"><span class="style1">Standard Price</span> is: </p>

        <p class="bodytext3">£699 + £25/mth, with no minimum contract</p>
        <p class="bodytext3"> <span class="style1"><em>Shared-Risk</em> Prices</span> where we share the cost risk with you!</p>        <p class="bodytext3">£599 + £50/mth*, with no minimum contract <br />
          £499 + £65/mth*, with no minimum contract <br />

          £399 + £80/mth*, with 3 month minimum contract <br />
          £299 + £100/mth*, with 3 month minimum contract </p></td>
      <td colspan="2" align="center" valign="middle"><p class="bodytext2">*The monthly charge would be for 12 months and then revert to £35/mth. All prices subject to vat at 15% </p>
        <p class="bodytext2">These charges refer to the standard solution which we believe will cover 90% of the requirements of new businesses trading in the UK in UK pounds sterling. Any customisations that you might  require would be developed at our standard hourly rates for existing clients of £25/hr</p></td>
      <td></td>

    </tr>
 </table>

Example #2 (Brian Drumm Edinburgh Hairdressers)

<div id="wedding">
<div id="bridalText"><strong>Wedding Packages</strong><br />
  <br />
  <strong>The Brides Package £195</strong><br />

  Includes free hair and make up consultation. Trial for hair and make up and obviously your <br />
  hair and make up on your big day.
  <br />
<br />
<strong>Bridesmaids from £95</strong><br />
Includes free hair and make up consultation. Hair and make up on big day. (excludes trials) <br />
<br />
<strong>Mother/s of Bride from £40</strong><br />
Includes free hair and make up consultation. Wash and blow dry on big day. (excludes trials)<br />

Make up would be an additional charge at £35.<br />
<br />
<strong>Groom £44</strong><br />
includes free hair consultation and cut and style. <br />
<br />
Gillian is our wedding hair co-ordinator and Liz is our make up artist. Call either of them to<br />
discuss your plans on 0131 226 5885<br />
<br />
<br />
All prices are subject to change. 50% deposit will be required at least 8 weeks prior to the <br />

wedding with balance being due on big day.<br />
We accept switch / maestro and all major credit cards.<br />
<br />
We only use the best products - Kerastase for hair and Trucco Make Up.<br />
Gift Vouchers Available<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><!-- end bridalText -->
</div><!-- end wedding -->

The Problem

It's clear from looking at the examples above that service businesses have neither consistent nor semantic standards. Moreover, the specific needs of services firms and their customers might be best defined by considering some well-established materials from the 90s onwards:

• [Chartered Institute of Marketing PDF on Services Marketing]
• [CIM overview of differences between products and services]
• [David Maister's Services Marketing book]

Existing Practices

• Semantic markup is rarely attempted among service firms. We examined over 100 sites at random via Google Dirctories, and discovered zero sites using semantic classes.
• We looked at hListing and hproduct proposals, but neither address the specific needs of service firms and their customers.

Authors

• Wowitim 17:13, 28 March 2009 (UTC)

See Also

• hproduct
• hListing