Lenders and vendors are constantly looking for more efficient ways to affordably engage their clients and prospective clients through an interactive and rich Web experience. Today’s online consumer is much more savvy and demanding than they were just five years ago. Is Microsoft Silverlight the answer?
What is Microsoft Silverlight? According to Microsoft, “Silverlight is a free runtime that powers rich application experiences and delivers high quality, interactive video across multiple platforms and browsers, using the .NET framework.” [1]
In addition, “Silverlight empowers Web developers and designers to build the best user experiences for their customers through the creation of cutting-edge Web application. Silverlight helps rich Internet application (RIA) developers work faster with new graphics, animation and 3-D features, and more than 60 controls. Silverlight also ushers in a new generation of high-quality and high-definition video experiences with true high-definition video in full-screen mode, with stutter-free live and on-demand video. Silverlight also gives more video format choices than ever before, including H.264, along with enhancements such as deep linking, to improve navigation in Silverlight content and automated search engine optimization (SEO) tasks. Finally, Silverlight enables developers to create lightweight Web application experiences that can exist outside of the browser. This enables Web sites to deliver more persistent relationships with their customers.” [2]
What does all of this mean for the mortgage industry? Prospective customers expect an engaging online user experience. For the 100 million people of Generation X and Generation Y they demand it. These individuals are part of the information age and prefer doing business online. This group is tech savvy and is looking for an engaging user experience that provides instant information how and when they want it. Static websites that ask them to fill out a form and wait for someone to get back to them simply will not suffice.
What about enhanced Web tools and experiences for the ever growing senior population providing education on reverse mortgages? High-definition training videos in full-screen mode, with stutter-free live and on-demand options so that seniors could watch it multiple times or pass it on to their children for guidance and explanation.
Can these tools be used to more effectively reach out to troubled borrowers? One that will provide these borrowers with an engaging experience on the Web that delivers information in a dynamic manner. It may answer difficult questions and educate them on their options while significantly reducing support calls.
Lenders and vendors who create a more engaging user experience with intuitive navigation on the Web can drive more business and reduce costs at the same time. When prospective clients can find the information they need immediately, get instant decisions, receive detailed information all in a compelling format through the use of new technologies and innovation they are less likely to continue surfing the web for solutions. They will be locked in to your specific product offering and its solutions.
Are you currently using Microsoft Silverlight? Do you think it could help your organization better engage prospective clients? What applications do you see for this type of technology? Do organizations really need this tool if they already have flash?
Share with us your thoughts on Silverlight and how you are creating a more dynamic user experience.
[1], [2], Jamey Tisdale, Group Product Marketing Manager, Platform Strategy at Microsoft March 18th 2009
