ConsumerSearch.com Helps Value-Conscious Shoppers Find the Best Bets This Holiday Season

ConsumerSearch.com (www.ConsumerSearch.com) today launched a complete redesign that will further help value-conscious shoppers by making it easier to access the reviews and analysis the site has amassed on a wide range of products and services.

ConsumerSearch.com, owned by The About Group, collects the best editorial and user-generated product reviews, analyzes their picks and recommends what to buy in over 340 product categories, from MP3 players to snow blowers. With more than 35 percent of U.S. consumers across all income levels expecting to spend less money this holiday season, according to a September 2008 study by The Nielsen Company, shoppers will rely on credible product research more than ever.

Rather than having to visit multiple review sites to see what experts and users think of a particular product, ConsumerSearch.com saves shoppers time and effort by analyzing those findings and then making its own product recommendations.

“This year people are seeking reassurance about their buying decisions,” says Cella Irvine, president and CEO, The About Group. “With so many resources available, general Internet research can become confusing, time-consuming and sometimes overwhelming – our job is to simplify the process. ConsumerSearch.com’s new look allows users to find the information they seek from credible sources, quickly and efficiently.”

“Our goal was to create a design that makes it easier for site users to make buying decisions,” added Ms. Irvine. “We want to help people feel good about what they buy and one way to do that is to make confident purchases based on the homework they’ve done utilizing the top information sources we provide.”

According to a study by BIGresearch, 38.3 percent of adults in the United States (almost 85 million) regularly research products online before purchasing (Source: BIGresearch, Simmons 12, June 2008). Along with a thorough analysis of the best reviewed products, ConsumerSearch.com provides multi-page reports for each product category. “We’ve added new buyer’s guides to help consumers understand product categories with multiple types of products,” continued Ms. Irvine. “For example, with televisions we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of LCD, plasma, projection and standard TV’s.”

Other new features include an updated search function that makes it easier and faster to get relevant information and a tool that allows recommendations to be shared via popular social networks, social bookmarking services, as well as via e-mail.

About The About Group

The About Group comprises the Web sites About.com, ConsumerSearch.com, UCompareHealthCare.com and Caloriecount.about.com. About.com is one of the Web’s leading producers of original content. The site’s expert Guides provide users with accurate and unbiased information to help them live happier, healthier and more successful lives. ConsumerSearch.com analyzes expert and user-generated consumer product reviews and recommends the best products to purchase based on their findings. UCompareHealthCare.com provides dynamic interactive tools that enable users to measure the quality of healthcare services. Caloriecount.about.com offers weight management tools, social support and nutritional information to help users achieve their diet goals.

The About Group is part of The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2007 revenues of $3.2 billion, which includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 16 other daily newspapers, WQXR-FM and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company’s core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.

This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com

Contacts

About.com
Erica McDonald, 212-204-1724
emcdonald {at} about(.)com
or
Edelman
Kerry McCauley, 212-704-8222
kerry.mccauley {at} edelman(.)com