ConsumerSearch

ConsumerSearch is a research site that presents users with a selection of top-rated products, analyses of the experts, reviews of product trends, and rankings with links to reviews. ConsumerSearch was founded in 1991 in an effort to streamline the ability to research product reviews. It was acquired by About.com, a division of The New York Times Company, in 2007. Some review sites have chosen to charge fees for use, but ConsumerSearch is free and requires no registration. Unfortunately, it also does not offer side-by-side product comparisons or streamlined information for products. Navigating to a category, users are faced with the top picks with the ability to expand the information or follow links to purchase online. Those products labeled “Runners Up” have no details. Clicking on them leads to featured store rating and link for purchase. There is no option to view side-by-side pros and cons or ratings. While the “Top” best reviewed items are listed, they may not be completely comparable. One may be the best full-featured gadget, one the best basic, and one the best budget. Clicking “The Full Report” yields pages of dense text with several reviews. This is simply not a particularly user-friendly application. One aspect of the site that was distracting and unappealing was the large number of sponsored links and advertisements littered along the right side of every page. They consume nearly one-third of the screen and make the pages confusing and cluttered. No registration is necessary to use the application. There is no cost associated with using ConsumerSearch. This application is for those seeking one resource for product reviews. It falls short of being optimal, but provides links to online stores and limited information. This would be best for those who have already chosen products and are simply verifying information.