incuBeta has just launched ThatShoe.com, the world`s first vertical shoe search engine.
ThatShoe.com utilises product catalogue information from 17 large merchants, including eBay, Amazon and Zappos.com. Currently in beta testing, ThatShoe.com offers a selection of hundreds of thousands of shoes. The merchant base will be further expanded over the next few months.
Says incuBeta`s Chief Strategy Officer, Vinny Lingham: "We created a one-stop-shop for consumers looking for shoes. It is quick and easy to use, unlike clicking through directories or mostly irrelevant search results. The quality of results is based solely on the merchants` ability to provide quality data feeds."
Asked whether he would consider merchants who approach ThatShoe.com for inclusion, he said: "Of course. We`ll consider all online and offline merchants who approach us, but ThatShoe.com will only include reliable merchants who are able to fulfil our users` requirements."
incuBeta sees much potential in vertical search engines. The shoe category is a prime online opportunity with huge potential for growth. Research publications by eMarketer and JupiterResearch among others, point to the potential of vertical search engines, with retail expected to be a major component of the vertical search market.
To quote David Hills, CE of LookSmart: "(t)here are times when you are looking for something ... and, from an efficiency standpoint, a vertical search engine may help you find what is essential to you." (In: San Francisco Chronicle)
incuBeta is a Business Day Technology Top 100 company and winner of the Commission Junction Horizon Award for Innovation in the US.
Share
Editorial contacts