Eight random 'Useful" Websites
I need some inspiration. I want to spend more time looking at websites that offer something that is a little different. I have alrady spent a bit of time looking at the UK and U.S finance website market - managing your finances online is the predominant theme, with a splatter of social lending thrown in for good measure. I've also considered the direct competition to the website I work for, Fool.co.uk.
The frustrating truth though is that it seems to be the social media websites are the ones that typically launch with a flurry of attention. So, I am thinking, what about straight-forward, practical, consumer focused genuinely useful websites?
I have to say, that they are probably thinner on the ground than you would imagine, but I spotted a few things that maybe offer someting a 'little different.'
1. Xero
This online accounting website looks really great. It seems to me to offer everything that is beneficial about having a web application. It's simple, easy and genuinely useful for small bussiness types.
2. RatedPeople
Struggling to find a local builder? Why not serach this website for trades people in your area and see what rating they've been given by the people that have actually hired them.
This is a property website witha difference. You can get pretty accurate property values for the areas you are researching. the data is based on local sales information and it looks quite accurate. It does more than this, it tracks trends too. Next time I look for a house I am going to use it, this and Nestoria, naturally.
4. Metaefficient
Want to stay ethical and reduce your carbon foot-print? This site
(going since 2004) looks at products and how eco-efficient they are.
Nice, if you have time of-course :)
5. Kiva
Kiva - social lending, lika Zopa, the difference is you get the ability to invest in projects in teh developing world.
6. Smartypig
Need a new car? A great way of saving for your goal, will it help? Not sure.
7. Zilo
Set up your own online strore...sell what ever you want...nice idea...it literally takes two miutes, just need to find somethinig to sell now..
8. GiveorTake
This site gives you the kick-back it would normally make from the third party. So how does this site make money? No idea, will have to find out!
;)
Carl Knibbs
Reader Comments (3)
My boyfriend runs a site called readitswapit which is a bit different - have I ever mentioned it to you? the url is http://www.readitswapit.co.uk and it allows people to swap books for free. He set it up in his spare time without any budget whatsoever and it's now got over 200,000 books up there for swapping mainly due to word of mouth recommendations. The design is quite functional but it seems to work OK for the users. Would be interesting to hear what you think.
Thanks Donna, it looks really nice. I like the idea, I am going to use it!
The website that is, not the idea :-)