Web watch: we review what’s hot on the net

RENTAL companies battle it out in an ultra-competitive world, practically down in the High Street vying for the customers.

The battle is heightened on the web. The customer can do research without a thought for pounding the pavement.

There is no chance for sales patter – a company has perhaps no more than a few seconds to win business before a surfer lets his fingers ‘do the walking’. The homepage of www.avis.co.uk throws conventional web design out of the door in an attempt to push the Avis portfolio through a starburst of pictures and words to the point of being overpowering. Sensibly though, the vehicle reservation booking form is right there in your eye line the moment you log-on, surrounded by product offers and the latest news.

The homepage though could have you reaching for the site map. The business user can luckily find themselves in a more calm environment.

Click on Business Services in the top, horizontal menu and, without any preamble, it lays out what it can for fleet managers.

This section has a rich clarity to it and together with the introduction of a lefthand menu is simple to use and offers the right amount of information for each of the sections dedicated to Avis Preferred, Avis Advance, MaxiRent, AvisAgency, prestige cars and Chauffeur Drive and Premier Partners.

Business users may also be interested in the Partner Offers section promoting loyalty schemes, such as Air Miles, parking, hotel and holiday offers, again presented in a simple yet appealing way. Jeremy Bennett