Here's the first question: How did ZipZap come about...? And, who developed it?
I came up with the idea of Zip Zap. I felt it would be useful to search for skateboard brands in a different way. When you go to Google and type in Never Summer for sale in San Francisco... you get a whole bunch of links, but not one tells you where to buy a Never Summer board in San Francisco. Zip Zap solves this search problem quickly and easily.
I happened to know someone who was getting into the business of Apple apps, and I got him to develop the app. His company is called Codex.
This is the "flyer" for the Zip-Zap app. It's not that difficult for shops to sign up for, nor is it difficult to use. But: It sure is handy! And, best of all: It's free!
Which platforms does it work on? (iPhone? Droid? Etc?) Does it require 3G/4G access?
It runs on the iPhone, and we are working on other platforms. It does require wifi or 3G access
How does it work, for the end user? (Like, a kid...)
1. You download it for free.
2. You punch in a zip code. It will display all the skate shops in that area (that are in our database)
3. You scroll through the list of skate companies, and choose one.
If a skateshop carries that brand, it will be displayed. Tap once, and you will get their info: Store location, phone number, and email.
How do shops sign up for it?
They go to our website and get a bit more info and follow the link – or if they want they can go directly here:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dG5xNFQwSFYzNFVjU08zd29qbmZ5RlE6MA
It takes about 5 minutes to fill out the form…but it’s worth it.
How much does it cost the shops to sign up for it?
It’s free! And, even better: If shops sign up before September 30th, they get a chance to win a free iPad, or a free ad in Concrete Wave (1/8 page size).
How does it help the average brick-and-mortar shop drive customer traffic, to their storefront?
If you have visitors who are in a city they are unfamiliar with – it cuts down on a lot of time trying to hunt for the product you want.
Also, assuming you have found a very cool new product and want to find out quickly if there are shops in your area that carry it – you can find this out in 2 seconds.
It’s about convenience… and showcasing what the brick and mortar shops do best: Carry specialty products. After all, distribution is key when it comes to specialty skate products.
What has been the feedback thus far, from the app users...? From shops...?
Very good– shops are thrilled. We still need to tweak things – but the main thing is to get more shops to register. When we hit 1000+ [shops], it will be quite a powerful tool. And not just for skaters, but for skate companies as well.
Here's a good one: Why did you, personally, get so behind this app, Michael...? What are you working toward, here...? What's the endgame, the desired result of all of this?
I got involved because I felt it was important to put the focus on the indie skate shop… and give them a tool that would promote what they do. The desired result is a healthy number of indie retailers. Of course, if I can help a number of smaller brands get attention and sell more product, that helps grow skateboarding. It’s not rocket science: SMART SEARCH+EXPOSURE = SALES!
