ConsumerReports.org Unveils Enhanced Web Site
YONKERS, N.Y., Nov. 6 -- ConsumerReports.org®, the Web site from Consumer Reports® magazine, today unveiled its new site design, based on user feedback. ConsumerReports.org today also announced that its paid subscriber base has reached more than 650,000, reinforcing its position as the largest magazine subscription site on the Web. First launched in November 1997, ConsumerReports.org provides consumers with online access to Consumer Reports' unbiased, testing and research-based Ratings and recommendations of products and services.
``We believe that consumers will find the new layout for ConsumerReports.org to be easier to navigate,'' said John Sateja, vice president of New Media at Consumers Union. ``Our new design will help consumers get the information that they want faster and more efficiently. We've taken consumer feedback into consideration while re-designing our site, staying always true to our mission to test, inform, and protect. Because of the invaluable information we provide, we continue to garner the support of many consumers. We're proud to be a trusted source for independent, unbiased product Ratings and recommendations -- available in print, on the Web, and also on wireless devices -- that empower consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions, wherever they shop.''
The improved ConsumerReports.org features product-focused content hubs that allow consumers to easily find Consumer Reports' unbiased Ratings and reports. These hubs include: Autos, Appliances, Computers, Electronics, Consumer Advice, and More Ratings, which features the following sub-sections: Home & garden, Health & beauty, Babies & kids, Personal finance, Smart travel, and Online shopping. Below is a list of each of the content hubs and the topics covered within each area:
Main hubs
* Autos -- Ratings of new and used automobiles, Buying and Leasing,
Safety Tires and Equipment and Care and Maintenance. Each of these
sections will offer a free sub-section offering buying advice on
how to shop for a new/used car, as well as the latest Consumer
Reports automobile news
* Appliances -- Cleaning, Comfort, Kitchen, Laundry, and Personal
* Computers -- Hardware, Software, and Internet
* Electronics -- Audio, Video, Cameras and Film, Communications and
Equipment
* Consumer Advice -- Product Safety Recalls, Consumer Interest,
Manufacturers, Consumer Links, and links to the Eco-labels Web site
and Consumers Union advocacy Web site
* More Ratings
* Home & garden -- Home Improvement (maintenance and repairs,
paint and coatings, remodeling, tools and equipment), Cleaning
Supplies (clothing, household, bed and bath, kitchen, comfort,
decor), Lawn and garden (gardening, lawn care, BBQ grills, tools
and equipment)
* Health & beauty -- Health and Fitness (health care, disease and
disorders, drugs and supplements, exercise and equipment),
Beauty and Personal Care, Food and Beverages
* Babies & kids -- Traveling with Children, Health and Safety,
Recording Your Child Playtime, School Days, Dollars and Cents
* Personal finance -- Investments, Shopping and Spending, Banking,
Insurance, Saving
* Smart travel -- Travel, Leisure
* Online shopping -- e-Ratings: Online shopping site evaluations,
cybershopping tips and advice
The content hub tabs in the top navigation bar throughout ConsumerReports.org ensure that consumers are always ``one click'' away from any of the other content hubs on the site. The new layout helps ConsumerReports.org visitors obtain a sense of familiarity and transfer learning from page to page, increasing the ease, navigability, and user comfort.
The redesigned home page of ConsumerReports.org now features all content highlights on one screen area, eliminating the need for scroll-down boxes -- a top request of consumers who tested the latest version of ConsumerReports.org while it was still in beta format. Testers also wanted to see a visually pleasing ConsumerReports.org logo throughout the Web site that also serves as a direct link back to the home page.
Other highlights of the ConsumerReports.org site include:
* Four years of information -- Paid subscribers can search through
the most current Consumer Reports unbiased product testing coverage
over the past four years, which helps in making more educated and
informed decisions when purchasing older or used products, such as
an automobile.
* Up-to-the minute Ratings -- Subscribers get the latest updates to
Consumer Reports' unbiased product Ratings and recommendations.
* Instant searches -- Visitors to ConsumerReports.org will be able to
search for information and get comprehensive results.
* Current consumer news -- ConsumerReports.org posts information and
advice on timely consumer topics for visitors and subscribers.
* Interactive tools -- ConsumerReports.org offers a variety of
interactive tools to help consumers choose the best electronic
gift, cellular service, mutual fund, or air conditioner.
* Alerts about security and recalls -- Site visitors can search
ConsumerReports.org's free Product Safety Recalls index to find out
whether a product has been recalled. In addition,
ConsumerReports.org offers links to government agencies announcing
all the latest recalls.
* Online shopping site e-Ratings -- A favorite with many consumers,
ConsumerReports.org offers the e-Ratings: Online Shopping Guide,
with evaluations and recommendations of the most popular online
shopping sites, to ensure that e-commerce works for the benefit of
all consumers. Since its inception in November 1999, e-Ratings has
evaluated sites in categories like clothing, books and music,
electronic gear, toys, small appliances, home decor/furniture, auto
manufacturers, and much more.
In the last two years Consumers Union (CU), publisher of both Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org, has received accolades from some of today's most recognized industry leaders. In 2001, Consumers Union was highlighted as one of eight organizations in Upside magazine's prestigious ``Hot 100: B-to-c category.'' In 2000, Consumers Union garnered honors from both Red Herring magazine and Folio magazine. Red Herring recognized Consumers Union as one of its ``Herring 100,'' while Folio recognized CU as a ``Folio 40'' company.
ConsumerReports.org is the fastest-growing Web site of its kind, with more than 650,000 paid subscribers. All site visitors have free access to helpful advice, safety alerts, recalls, and much more. Site subscribers receive unbiased product Ratings and service recommendations, access to the latest issue of Consumer Reports and the most recent product Ratings and recommendations on topics covered over the last four years, exclusive reliability reports, expert forums, and more. Consumer Reports printed magazine and other information products are also available through the ConsumerReports.org Web site. ConsumerReports.org does not accept advertising, and has no ties to the manufacturers whose products and services it tests and rates.
There are two types of subscriptions to ConsumerReports.org: an annual subscription for $24 (current subscribers to Consumer Reports magazine can join for $19 per year), or a monthly subscription for $3.95.
ConsumerReports.org is the Web site of Consumers Union, an independent, nonprofit testing and information-gathering organization, serving only the consumer. We are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health, nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect consumers.
