CNN Sells Out

What is CNN thinking? They began hawking headline t-shirts on their homepage today (see the little t-shirt icon next to a headline).

So let me get this straight...In the name of turning a profit and looking edgy, one of the most-respected brands in the news business has begun selling t-shirts of their own clever headlines. I don't think I'm overstating it when I say it's a sad day for journalism.

The reviews are in

More and more people turn to the web these days to perform product research before making significant purchases. They find information, advice, pricing, comparisons and product reviews. The end result is a very educated customer who often knows as much about a product as the sales person at the store.

Inside CRM has put together a great list of sites providing product reviews for everything from cars to computers to toys. Read and heed.

The reviews are in

The statistics seem to build a pretty compelling case. Online businesses allowing customer reviews of their products reported increased sales, increased customer loyalty and increased site traffic. Plus 8 out of 10 US shoppers put more trust in brands that offer customer reviews.

I notice this in my own behavior too. From cars to books to electronics, I often seek out customer reviews before making a purchase.

It may seem a little scary at first, but making it easy for your customers to review your products, right on your site, is something that can benefit both you and your customers.