Shoe Shopping!
Someone on Web4Lib mentioned for-profit, retail online websites in relation to 'library survivability' (a fab term)… they cited the usuals (Amazon and Google), but the point was to look beyond those for tips. Two things the for-profits are doing SO much better than libraries: interface design and searching. I know, I know - librarians are search-masters, but we're not successfully shifting out of our intermediation roles and applying our searching skills to designing robust search algorithms… for-profits are. *duck* For an example of wicked good searching (from a users POV), check out Zappos. Mostly it's faceted, but they're hitting on lots of gears. It's definately worth exploring… plus, you can pick up those strappy numbers you've had your eye on.
One arguement about this that I do think is valid: shoes are limited scope and facet therefore much easier to represent in this way. It's true… but I'm just saying…
