Matching product system and method

Abstract

Computer-implemented systems and method for generating individualized email communications to customers promoting a second customized product that shares design elements with a previously ordered first customized product. Customer records are searched to identify product promotion candidates. A personalized email order solicitation adapted to display an automatically created image of the matching product is sent to identified candidate customers. The matching product image displayed to the email recipient is created to incorporate design elements of a first product ordered by the recipient and information associated with the recipient such that the email recipient sees a customized second product image.

1 . A computer-implemented method of marketing a customized product, the method comprising: 
 retaining customer information for a plurality of customers, the customer information including at least customer email addresses,    retaining a plurality of designs of previously ordered products, each previously ordered product design being associated with a customer and containing at least some customer content,    identifying from the customer information a customer who has ordered at least one first type of product,    selecting one of the at least one first type of product ordered by the identified customer, and    initiating an email to an email address associated with the identified customer, the email being adapted to display a second product design, the second product design being for a second type of product and being automatically created to have at least one design element in common with the selected first type of product and to contain at least some customer information.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second product design is sent to the recipient for displaying in the email image only after the email has been opened.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the second product design is created only after the email has been opened.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the email contains a customer account identifier.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the email further displays at least one link adapted to allow the recipient of the email to initiate a purchase process for the customized product  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the email further displays at least one link adapted to allow the recipient of the email to initiate an edit process such that the recipient can make one or more changes to the customized product displayed in the email.