By Donna Woodka, woodka@arpa.net
| The real power of the Internet comes from being able to
connect people and information, through referral services, message boards, information
exchanges, and other sites that allow large groups of people to communicate with each
other interactively. Businesses that post only their advertising information on a Web site
without providing an opportunity for real customer feedback are shortchanging both
themselves and their customers. A well-designed Web site can be a real pleasure, especially when it offers a service you’re looking for. I’ve talked with many people who wanted to set up some type of referral service for businesses including real estate, plumbing services, and physician referrals, but a rare few do a nice job of providing both information and referral services. Here are some I’ve found recently. Web Garage Web Garage, "San Diego’s Automotive Hub," is a nice example of combining a referral database system with useful consumer information. It offers automotive repair referrals in the San Diego area, and also includes consumer information and offers consumers the opportunity to rate repair services. The site has a clean design and is simple and easy to navigate. The referral service allows users to locate a repair facility by shop name, ZIP code, or city. For registered users (registration is free), there is a "garage talk" forum, a rating service, notification of repair shop special offers, and an online database to keep track of information about your vehicle and receive reminders when it is scheduled for maintenance. According to D.R. Peck, the CEO of site developer Green Flash Systems, "Web Garage is a database search engine in a finely defined vertical niche market—the San Diego Automotive businesses. It was built to serve as a model for how we would like to see the Web grow, with really deep, consumer-oriented content. In picking a starting spot, we decided on automotive, thinking that everyone who had a computer also had a car. Also, 3,800 businesses (San Diego county only) was a database that a little company like ours could handle." Web Garage is supported by advertising banner sales. Digitalseed Digitalseed provides information on area garden clubs and nurseries, and a message board called Common Ground for local area gardeners to exchange information and ideas. The site has a list of links for Southern California gardening, and also links to sites of interest for gardeners worldwide. Digitalseed is a relatively new venture (up since July ’97) of Digital Visions Consulting, a commercial Internet presence consulting group based in San Diego comprised of four talented technologists who also happen to be avid gardeners. Digitalseed arose out of the frustration they experienced while browsing the huge number of gardening Web sites that suffered from the same shortcomings as many gardening books: Most are written by gardeners back East where the climate and soil conditions make the gardening experience completely different from conditions in Southern California. The site also includes information about local gardening-related events, organizations, and businesses. Digitalseed is supported, in part, by sponsors and advertisers interested in reaching the local gardening community and, in part, by Digital Visions’ promotional budget. (Digitalseed also serves as a demonstration site). NAWBO San Diego The mission of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) San Diego is to empower women business owners to reach their highest potential, both professionally and economically, and to help others in doing the same. According to Sylvia Tiersten, who is webmaster for this site, NAWBO currently has about 75 members in San Diego and is part of a nationwide network of more than 60 chapters and an international organization in 33 countries. The organization offers networking opportunities, including a Master Mind monthly discussion group that can work with you to resolve problem areas in your business, discounts for members on products and services, including discounts on computer products through IBM, activities including dinner meetings and the annual BRAVO awards banquet, which honors businesswomen and others who have helped promote women-owned businesses. The Web site provides links to many organizations and services of interest to women business owners, calendar information on upcoming events, and a listing of business links for entrepreneurs and small businesses. NAWBO is supported by member fees and corporate sponsorships. |