I’m always scouring the web for inspiration on how to make nikkoSHOPS better. Following are the web sites I keep coming back to.
DesignPublic.com
DesignPublic.com is an online retailer of modern furniture. When you visit the web site, you get exactly what you would expect from a modern furniture retailer, a modern, clean and classy design.
They are a small 8-person operation and the fact that they admit to being so just screams “personal” and “service” to me, two things I am increasingly looking for in an online vendor.
They also answer the question “Why Buy From Us?” very explicitly. In at least two locations, they list the reasons why they are the vendor to shop with (free shipping, no tax, etc.).
And last, but not least, is their Hatch Blog. This blog is definitely not the normal e-commerce blog that attempts to push products. Not only does it serve to show that there are real people behind this company, it also positions them as experts in modern furniture and design.
2Modern.com
2Modern.com is also an online retailer of modern furniture. They feature selections from some of the most “talented and innovative international designers.”
Much like DesignPublic.com, they remove themselves from the commodity market of modern furniture (IKEA-world) by only selling high-quality products. They are to Mercedez-Benz what IKEA is to Toyota. (Nothing against IKEA, I am writing this entry on one of their desks.)
They also feature a modern furniture blog called Design Talk that features commentary on contemporary furniture and design. They distinguish themselves from being just another corporate blog by featuring contributions from designers, manufacturers, architects, artists and more.
The one place where they really separate themselves from the competition is the “2Modern Design Directory.” They have build a Craigslist-like directory of architects and interior designers that connects consumers looking for such resources. (As if you needed any further proof that 2Modern lives and breathes modern furniture and design.)
Target.com
Target is a competitor insofar as it is a retailer of home furniture and decor. But they are the 800-pound gorilla so it’s a bit presumptuous for me to place nikkoSHOPS.com in the same league.
Nevertheless, theirs are one of my favorite stores on the web. From their modern design, to their breadth of products, there is very little they do wrong.
But what amazes me most about their online shop is the functionality. From their layered navigation to their wishlist system and even their product image zoom feature, there is a lot there to be impressed by.
The irony is that they do everything so well that it’s easy to miss. Everything just works the way it’s supposed to.
Zappos.com
Last but not least is Zappos.com. I have to admit, I have never shopped for shoes online. Given how picky I am when it comes to the fit, I can’t imagine doing so anytime soon.
Nevertheless, Zappos.com is a case study in how to run a social media marketing campaign. From their blogs to their high visibility on Twitter, they are really doing a good job making their operation transparent.
After watching this Nightline story on Zappos, I almost want to apply for a job there. They have an amazing company culture and, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from their business model, it’s that “Your Culture Is Your Brand.”
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