Is this a good idea for the BRS?

Barefoot TJ

Barefoot TJ

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Mar 5, 2010
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#1
I was approached by FindTheBest.com a while ago looking for a partnership where they would provide minshoe shopping comparisons, and we would put it on the site. At the time, they really didn't have much listed, and what was listed was out-of-date/old models. I can't remember exactly what I told him, but I'm sure I included something like You'll need more products for comparison when I declined. Now they have lots of brands and models for comparison.



This is what FTB has to say: "...Not only does our tool help drive traffic, engagement and monetization, it helps consumers make more informed decisions."



ABOUT FindTheBestFindTheBest is an unbiased, data-driven comparison engine. We organize and present data in a consumer-friendly format so that you can make quick and informed decisions based on what's important to you.



Would you all like to see something like this here?

I'm wondering what we give up when we implement this engine on our site? Privacy?

Do they gather click stats and shopping history from our members as they compare and review the results?

Do they download cookies?

Is this a good idea for the BRS?



Here's the story that brought this back: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/13/4185489/findthebest-announces-partnership.html
 
#2
You'll probably get as many

You'll probably get as many opinions as replies.

For me personally - I don't care for these classes of sites. I always question (which means I don't really trust) the thoroughness of whatever information they have. I guess maybe another way to say it is "Is this tool going to search as deelply and confidently as I would want." For example, the value I've gotten out of my Merrell post is far far FAR greater than what I would get from a FindTheBest.com.

A site like this that seems to position itself as a place to get data on anything seems no different than a Google or a Bing. And if that's the case - I'd much rather use the leaders - Google or Bing.

My $.02.

jim
 
#3
I thought about that too,

I thought about that too, that they're just another search engine, although they seem to have built a database just for LivingBarefoot. They do have a Review section where you can review the shoes you've worn, so that might help some folks make an informed decision.
 
#4
We've sorta got our own

We've sorta got our own section for that here... Product and course reviews.

I'd trust one of our members for a review more than some other website, even if they just host peer written reviews. I would say that most users here have a higher understanding of shoes and whats good and bad about them then the average joe thats writing for sites like that.

So, no, I don't think we need it. I think we just need more emphasis on our own product reviews section!
 
#5
Totally pointless, imo. I

Totally pointless, imo. I just searched 'minimal shoe' at their site and... well, try it out. Pretty meager.

Then I tried 'canned dog food' and got a short list of dry dog food.

Clicked a couple of the links and they don't even open (in Chrome).

Nobody's ever heard of the site, nobody uses it, and it doesn't even work right. I tried 'television', should be a no-brainer but the results are for television universities and other weird stuff... heh?
 
#6
TJ, why don't we instead see

TJ, why don't we instead see if we can get companies to send demo products to some of our members for us to evaluate and test. That way we have quality reviews from our users, a good database of equipment and reviews, non solicatated (sp?) opinions, and it will generate traffic.

Plus we get free schwag!!!!! If companies will give individuals with blogs free stuff to demo, it only makes sense to do the same for a "society's" leading web site, right?

Just an idea...
 
#7
We have done that and done

We have done that and done that. We had Planet Shoes provide minshoes for a full year to 12 members, one per month, and each member tested them out for a full month and wrote a review that was posted in the Product Reviews section. We also have IS giving away a pair of their huaraches each month going forward, with reviews to follow, and we've done a few one-offs, like Unshoes, STEM, Branca, and Kigo, and some compression sleeves and sunglasses.

I would love to have more offerings for you all. I take them as I learn of them, and sometimes, I even seek them out for you all. If anyone would like to step up as Contest Coordinator, let me know, and we can work together to bring in more contests.



I'm hearing what you all are saying about the FTB, and I am agreeing. I wasn't really comfortable with latching onto them back then, and I guess I'm still feeling that way today.
 
#8
Sounds like you've made up

Sounds like you've made up your mind TJ. I agree with you. I think the giveaways do a lot more in terms of getting quality reviews out to our audience. The other good thing about doing those kind of things is it gets the site more traffic because the companies should be advertising the giveaway as well. Or at least in my opinion they should be.
 
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