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Seeking Product Delivery Solution?

by art72
9 replies
While I previously asked a similar question in the web design section, getting help over there seems dismal!

If you're selling a product containing several .zip files, and wanted to make it fast and easy for a paid customer to access, how would you deliver it?

Currently, I have a compressed zip file on my server that looks like this:

(example) http://mysite. com/downloads/425252easytemplates.zip

Inside that main zip file is 15 individual zip files weighing in at almost 600mb's. (*excluding special offer FREE Bonus downloads)

When I test the link, it works... but takes an average of 30-40 minutes to download, which to me is unacceptable... and in 3 test runs, it failed one time - despite the fact I currently have high speed internet averaging 10-12 mbps download speeds.

As many do, I've considered breaking down the download files into smaller increments, and say maybe 5-10 zip files to complete the download. But, wouldn't that confuse a new user (customer) as to having their purchase spread across 5-10 individual download links, as opposed to being delivered all-in-one compressed zip file?

I've considered adding download instructions, whereby they create a new folder with the "product name" - and upon completion, drag n' drop all the new download files into that folder to keep them organized. - Is that a plausible solution?

Being I am delivering this file from a shared HostGator server, I also wondered if the slow download speed is relative to being on cheap hosting provider?

Someone suggested using AWS/S3 which I am familiar with, but have never used... but, would that change the download speed of a file weighing in at 600mb's?

I just want to make sure before this site goes live, the product will be delivered smoothly, without getting a ton of customer support emails.

For the record, until now, most the downloads I delivered were smaller, like an ebook or a video... this is a larger package than I am used to delivering.

Thanks,

Art
#delivery #product #seeking #solution
  • Profile picture of the author javrsmith
    The Amazon cloud solution would be very reliable at least.
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  • Profile picture of the author stoltingmediagroup
    1. You could deliver a PDF as the download file. This way they would get a quick download.
    Inside your PDF you would insert your hyperlinks to all the separate zip files.
    This also allows you to give more in dept instructions on what to do with the files etc.
    I.E. "click here to download folder A", and you could then also add instructions such as:
    "Once you download folder A, create another folder etc etc..."

    2. In similar manner you could create a download page. On this page you would do the same
    as with the above PDF suggestion. (Most of us do it this way when selling larger files).
    "Click here to download file 1. Click here for file 2," etc.

    3. Get yourself a member script. This way they sign up and you deliver their content when
    they access the member area. (this is also a very popular way of doing it).

    Delivering large files in one zip can be a customer service nightmare. Trust me, I know.
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    Arnold Stolting - Stolting Media Group
    "I LOVE The Song! The Vibe Is Positive And Firm!" - Kymani Marley. (Son of Bob Marley).
    "Very High Quality!" Jeremy Harding - Manager / Producer. Sean Paul.
    "They Are FANTASTIC!" - Willie Crawford.
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    • Profile picture of the author art72
      Originally Posted by stoltingmediagroup View Post

      1. You could deliver a PDF as the download file. This way they would get a quick download.
      Inside your PDF you would insert your hyperlinks to all the separate zip files.
      This also allows you to give more indept instructions on what to do with the files etc.
      I.E. "click here to download folder A", and you could then also add instructions such as:
      "Once you download folder A, create another folder etc etc..."

      2. In similar manner you could create a download page. On this page you would do the same
      as with the above PDF sugestion. (Most of us do it this way when selling larger files).
      "Click here to download file 1. Click here for file 2," etc.

      3. Get yourself a member script. This way they sign up and you deliver their content when
      they access the member area. (this is also a very popular way of doing it).

      Delivering large files in one zip can be a customer service nightmare. Trust me, I know.
      Thank You Arnold!

      option #1 - While I have personally purchased and downloaded several products that have been delivered by the above methods you've suggested, I never really considered creating a PDF file to house the download links. This method could easily be expanded upon (*with tutorials) and other recommended product links to bring more benefit and value to the end user... all while showcasing more of my product line, and some complimentary informative free resources. (*I like this suggestion, a lot!)

      option #3 - While I currently have Optimize Press 2.0 and the membership plugin, not sure if the kinks were ever worked out, as last I tried to use the plugin when it was 1st released, it wasn't working too well. Hopefully, I can muster the patience to consider giving that another go, as I do have several other offerings that could do well with this product campaign, and be packaged/sold as a monthly membership or one-off payment member only access.

      option #2 - Thanks, you've confirmed what I felt was the standard, which is to create a download page with 'several' bite-size downloads, as opposed to delivering the one big file download... this was my planned solution, but I feared some people would have trouble assembling the files into a single folder after downloading everything. Therefore, I suppose I could include a simple "read me" document or "Installation Instruction Manual or PDF" in the downloads as well to eliminate customer service issues concerning finding their downloads.

      Lastly, while I don't want to force a buyer to optin, the thought of having them register their product via their email seems logical, so I can segregate my "prospects" from my "buyers list", and in doing so, trigger an email containing a hidden URL or member login/pass to their downloads as well to reduce customer support emails.

      These 3 suggestions definitely helped clear a 'mental block' I was having in delivering large files, as opposed to being the recipient of them.

      Thank-You!

      Art
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      Atop a tree with Buddha ain't a bad place to take rest!
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    • Profile picture of the author thedark
      Originally Posted by stoltingmediagroup View Post

      1. You could deliver a PDF as the download file. This way they would get a quick download.
      Inside your PDF you would insert your hyperlinks to all the separate zip files.
      This also allows you to give more in dept instructions on what to do with the files etc.
      I.E. "click here to download folder A", and you could then also add instructions such as:
      "Once you download folder A, create another folder etc etc..."

      2. In similar manner you could create a download page. On this page you would do the same
      as with the above PDF suggestion. (Most of us do it this way when selling larger files).
      "Click here to download file 1. Click here for file 2," etc.

      3. Get yourself a member script. This way they sign up and you deliver their content when
      they access the member area. (this is also a very popular way of doing it).

      Delivering large files in one zip can be a customer service nightmare. Trust me, I know.
      I also think having a download page is great. When they purchase, direct them to create an username and password. In this way they will always have access to their download links for later use. There is no urge to download them all instantly. Doing this will help you to charge for membership later.
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      • Profile picture of the author art72
        Originally Posted by thedark View Post

        I also think having a download page is great. When they purchase, direct them to create an username and password. In this way they will always have access to their download links for later use. There is no urge to download them all instantly. Doing this will help you to charge for membership later.
        For now, just to get this sales funnel complete, I believe creating a download page and suggesting they 'bookmark' the page, will be the fastest method. *

        *There too, I'll probably create an OTO and offer a huge discounted value on a bundle offer...

        Although, I understand the 'sales-funnel' and how to create the page links, I was experiencing mental overload trying to determine; the best way to deliver all the large files... for now, the domain I am working on is really geared only at one specific product (eCover Creator w/bonuses) - but thanks to all the suggestions here, I have a few other domains that could very well be used as membership sites, and could easily be used in an email follow up series, or even as an expansion of the 'buyers' interests/needs at a later date.
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        Atop a tree with Buddha ain't a bad place to take rest!
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  • Profile picture of the author stoltingmediagroup
    You're welcome!

    Since I did mention PDF's, I would like to add that when considering this or any of these options, you should of course way the pro's and cons regarding unauthorized file sharing that goes on.

    Obviously more so with PDF files that contain download links etc, as PDFs are so easy to pass on to someone. I once did purchase PDFs where the merchant gave their customers a password in order to open (unlock) the PDF, but I'm not sure if this method is still effective or ever was. Either way, a secured file is better than nothing.

    I would probably lean towards a secured member area as there are so many benefits to going that route, including having control over the files and instructions in the download area in case something needs to be updated or corrected etc. Also it's fairly easy to set up most member scripts to automatically add the member to an auto responder for follow ups.

    Having access to registered members who bought your products is a good thing.
    Signature
    Arnold Stolting - Stolting Media Group
    "I LOVE The Song! The Vibe Is Positive And Firm!" - Kymani Marley. (Son of Bob Marley).
    "Very High Quality!" Jeremy Harding - Manager / Producer. Sean Paul.
    "They Are FANTASTIC!" - Willie Crawford.
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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    Yessir, definitely considered and gave pause to the delivery of any higher end product downloads via PDF, but for certain applications, one could benefit by silently creating a PDF that will be used as a give-a-way... as I know several marketer's have done. Not unlike offering 100% commissions on the FE product, with a focus on attaining a list or the future backend sales, and long term rewards of essentially getting free targeted subscribers.

    Well between S2Members and OP 2.0, I guess I should really step up my game and start thinking about going the membership route, as it's clearly the one method that seems to hold the most rewards as a seller, and in creating recurring income.
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    Atop a tree with Buddha ain't a bad place to take rest!
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    • Profile picture of the author hatchcrane
      I think you should deliver your product via a Membership page/area, especially since you already have Optimizepress 2 and the Optimizemember plugin. I use both of those for my membership site and haven't had any real problems, so far.

      The Optimizemember plugin is basically the S2Member Framework Plugin with good modifications.

      You can easily integrate with your autoresponder using Optimizepress and Optimizemember. It works great for Aweber, Getresponse and Mailchimp integration - however I use Aweber.

      You will not find much documentation for using Optimizemember plugin. But it is almost the same as S2Member and you can find quite a bit of information for S2Member.

      You could easily deliver your content from Amazon S3 servers. It is stupid simple to secure an Amazon S3 bucket by configuring permissions.

      If you need help with some of this PM me.
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      • Profile picture of the author art72
        Originally Posted by hatchcrane View Post

        I think you should deliver your product via a Membership page/area, especially since you already have Optimizepress 2 and the Optimizemember plugin. I use both of those for my membership site and haven't had any real problems, so far.

        The Optimizemember plugin is basically the S2Member Framework Plugin with good modifications.

        You can easily integrate with your autoresponder using Optimizepress and Optimizemember. It works great for Aweber, Getresponse and Mailchimp integration - however I use Aweber.

        You will not find much documentation for using Optimizemember plugin. But it is almost the same as S2Member and you can find quite a bit of information for S2Member.

        You could easily deliver your content from Amazon S3 servers. It is stupid simple to secure an Amazon S3 bucket by configuring permissions.

        If you need help with some of this PM me.
        Thanks DiamondDug,

        I appreciate the above, as my purchase of OP 2.0 was specifically due to the member plugin, and I never did get past the bugs they were having last year when it was first released. So to hear that you are using it successfully, is a godsend!

        For the record, I too am using AWeber for list building and follow ups, so aside from setting up the S3 bucket and permissions, I am inclined to think your suggestion is exactly the method I need to be using.

        Being I already have several 100 GB's of quality 'White Label' products that would fit nicely into a membership (or several) - I'll definitely send you a pm if I get in a bind setting this all up.

        Thank-You, I'll definitely sleep better knowing; I'll have someone to ask, if I need help!

        All the Best,

        Art
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        Atop a tree with Buddha ain't a bad place to take rest!
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