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DietWatch |
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Introduction & Overview |
DietWatch is a web-based health and fitness company that requires membership in order to take advantage of its services. It seems to be marketed towards individuals struggling to reach their goals on their own and who need a support system for accountability to make it through. The company appears to promote a sense of community and togetherness.
We find that there are many similar companies on the online market, and this one does not seem to offer anything remarkably different from its competitors. Still, some people may find features like customized diet and fitness plans and message boards useful. We will get a closer look at the company to see how effective its advertised services may be.
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| Pros |
• Individuals may choose from diet plans and fitness plans
• Members have access to blogs, message boards and chat rooms
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| Cons |
• Company currently does not post contact phone number on website
• There may be similar services online at reduced prices
• Company does not market its own line of nutritional products
• The website does not provide free resources, like some competitors
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| Concept |
Members are said to be able to take advantage of the following services: a Personalized Meal Planner, Customized Shopping Lists, a Nutrition Tracker and Automatic Reminders and Alerts; a Personal Exercise Program and an Exercise Tracker; Chat Rooms, Blogs, Message Boards, “Expert” Advice and Daily Tips; and information on Goal Setting and Managing Emotions.
The website seems to do a thorough job of advertising the benefits of becoming a member. Consumers are told that membership is “all you need to succeed.” Members may find the sense of community encouraged by the company useful, but as mentioned above, many of these services may be available online at reduced prices, or even free of charge.
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| Similar Programs |
Aside from a number of consumer testimonials, success stories and several health-related tips, the website does not seem to offer any free resources. The company appears to do a good job of trying to convince individuals to become members. On the other hand, we find that some similar web-based services offer useful resources to the public, in addition to members-only features.
Some companies also market their own line of nutritional supplements, which we find may be an added incentive for dieters to commit to that particular website. This way, they don’t have to consult with multiple companies to get all the materials and resources needed. Examples of products include fat burners, appetite suppressants and multivitamins.
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| Cost |
After taking the free tour, which seems to give little more than a peek into what member benefits, consumers have two options: sign up for a weekly plan, or go with the yearly plan. The weekly plan costs about $38.87 every three months, or $2.99 per week. The yearly plan costs around $77 per year, which comes down to $1.49 per week, a 50% savings.
While $1.49 or even $2.99 per week does not seem like much, it may add up over time. Because it’s a long-term commitment — either three months or a full year — individuals may find themselves taking the membership for granted and may not use it on a regular basis; anyone who has membership to a gym may know how easy it is to stray.
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| Conclusion |
DietWatch is one of many similar companies on the market that advertise the benefits of joining a community of like-minded people. Some companies may throw in an extra bonus, but in the end, most of these online health and fitness services seem to boil down to the same thing. They may not be ideal for people who lead a busy lifestyle.
We conclude that some dieters may find the company’s services useful, but there may be better ways to spend money on nutrition and weight management assistance. We find that people of all types may benefit from taking capsule-based supplements, including fat burners and appetite suppressants. Some companies are known to offer free trials.
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