Crowdstorm is a social shopping resource that allows users to join a large online community focused around commerce. Users can search for specific products or click on one of the trending topics listed on the homepage. These include popular categories like televisions, dishwashers, home cinema, laptops, MP3 players, GPS devices, tablet PCs, digital radios, microwave ovens, wine coolers, PC speakers and acoustic guitars. The user can also choose to review all categories if they prefer. When reviewing products, the user can see an image, product name and specs list. Crowdstorm shows the user the best current online price as well as a list of retailers selling the product. A list of filters is available on the search results page that allows the user to further narrow down their options before they begin browsing. Crowdstorm was founded by Philip Wilkinson in June of 2006. The company is based out of London and currently includes fewer than five individuals. Crowdstorm was designed to combine the information of a question and answer website with the features of a price comparison website. Crowdstorm brings together a number of elements that can make online shopping far easier for the consumer. Individuals searching for a good deal can turn to Crowdstorm to see who is offering the cheapest price as well as a handful of other retailers that sell the product. The user can learn more about the item or ask a specific question that is presented to the Crowdstorm community. The Crowdstorm website welcomes users with a primarily blue and white color scheme that is highlighted by hints of red and pink. The simple logo features a red lightning bolt to the right of the site name. the user can find two buttons in the upper, left hand corner of the page (within the wide blue border) that provides access to all the Crowdstorm product categories as well as the question form. The form works through Facebook and looks very similar to a Facebook wall post. Crowdstorm makes product research as simple as possible for consumers by providing access to all features as soon as the user arrives. The user is not required to log in to search or browse the categories presented on the homepage. Users can log in to their Facebook profiles to post a question for the Crowdstorm community. This can be done by clicking the white and blue “More” button found in the upper, right hand corner of the homepage. The following page presents the user with a Facebook log in form as well as a space to add a question or comment. Crowdstorm is a great resource, but it offers information that is available online for free. Charging a fee for this service would be difficult to justify in the eyes of consumers. The creator has kept Crowdstorm appealing by giving everyone access to all features for free. There are no subscription fees or other charges for using the website. Crowdstorm is a helpful shopping resource for consumers. The application provides a number of tools that can help the user find the best deals on the products they want to buy. The user can also ask questions and learn more about the items they are interested in purchasing.

• Search for specific products by name or keyword
• Browse trending and all categories
• Connect through Facebook
• Post a question or comment for the Crowdstorm community
• See the best current online price for a specific product
• Further related links are provided to gather more information about a particular product.

http://www.crowdstorm.co.uk/