New Web Site to Launch Next Month

By Glenn Guzzo

Strat-O-Matic’s eagerly anticipated Web site improvements are expected to be in place by November, game-company officials said.

While final details are not yet available and, like most dynamic web sites, this one will evolve, Strat-O-Matic is promising an entirely new look and a variety of functional improvements.

Strat-O-Matic President Hal Richman described the newly designed site at www.strat-o-matic.com as “a commerce and community site” offering gamers more enjoyment both as shoppers and as fans of the hobby.

First impressions will belong to the richly colorful and graphic new look, convenient organization (each Strat-O sport will have its own area) and smooth navigation, Richman said.

Gamers will notice a new slogan that will become the company’s brand: “Seriously Sports.” Expect to see it at the Web site, on printed material and in the company’s digital marketing.

“Seriously Sports” also signifies the company’s emphasis on youthful language to broaden the hobby. Internet marketing is intended to attract new fans to the new Web site. The new-look, new-attitude of the site is intended to make a strong first impression.

New customers – and even familiar customers thinking about adding another Strat-O-Matic sport to their hobby experiences – will discover the new attitude in useful “How to Play” descriptions for each sport.

The new site is to be the hub of Strat-O-Matic commerce, as the company depends even more upon online orders and less on phone and postal orders. A new shopping cart promises an easier shopping experience, where gamers will find what they are looking for more swiftly, where detailed product descriptions will help shoppers make more confident choices, and where electronically calculated shipping charges will make transactions simpler and swifter.

In so doing, Strat-O-Matic will replace its traditional shipping and handling charges with electronically calculated shipping based on product weight and shipping distance. A flat $2 handling charge will be added to each shipment, regardless of merchandise.

The company will encourage customers to order online. Customers lacking internet access may order by phone. Those who must make postal orders because they do not have internet access or a credit card will need to call first to obtain the shipping charges and make arrangements to mail in a check or money order.

The site also is intended to be a resource for the entire Strat-O community, both with useful hobby information and with interactivity. This is a growth area for the site. While the new site will retain such popular destinations as Strat-O-Sphere, Richman said, it may also grow to include such things as a league registry, roster archives, a “wiki” area and even a Strat-O-Matic museum tracing the company’s heritage and journey as the leading sports simulation company in the industry.