I have been thinking for a while that I should look to develop my own website to try and add value to the web. One day as I was looking for a Birthday gift for a friend I came up with what I hope is a great concept.
I was frustrated that to find a present I only go to the same two or three stores looking for inspiration. How do I know that there isn’t something better out on the Internets or a better price for the same item.
So I thought what if you could do all your gift shopping in one place. While there are other large price comparison websites I thought it would be a great idea and way of developing my web design skills to create Gift SOS a website dedicated to helping you by the perfect gift be it for Christmas, Anniversaries, Birthdays or well anything!
It is a simple principle. Rather than going to several websites and having to have multiple windows open to compare products I have aimed to provide it all in one place. I have partnered with several well known companies (and several less well known but great niche companies) to put all their products directly onto Gift SOS.
Gift SOS Homepage
Above is a picture of the homepage. From it you can search for a product using the search bar. Or I have created several Categories which you can use to narrow down your search.
Currently their are approximately 60,000 products listed from 40 retailers!
Once you are in a product page you will see a larger image of the product, description and pricing and importantly most products show the top 5 similar products. I think this feature is invaluable. If other retailers offer the same product, you can see straight away who has the best deal. Or you can see similar products, great if your seeking inspiration or want to know what else is available.
When you come to buy a product you are taken to that product’s page on the retailers website so you can buy direct from them.
To give you a flavour the site currently includes, chocolates, Experiences, Flowers, Fancy Dress, Party Supplies, Toys, gadgets, Home accessories, Wine and Champagne, 2009 Calendars, Electricals to name just a few product areas.
Like I say I am finding this a great project to find out a bit more about how the internet works, html, design etc.
I would love to hear any comments from you with regards to the site, what did you find most useful, development ideas or product / retailers you wanted but couldn’t find.
Charles Barsley works in eCommerce and in his occasional blog writes about his interests of eCommerce, Search Engine Optimisation, Photography, Cycling and anything which catches his interest!
