Brown Shoe Company got their hands on a nice generic domain name and they’re trying to capitalize on it.
Shoes.com.
I can’t blame them. I think the shoe market is a great idea for the internet. So Shoes.com… it’s, um, shoes. How exciting a name can you get?
![](https://brainfuel.tv/postimages/shoes.jpg)
I like how easy it is to get around and find the right shoe by brand and type. That’s cool and the design seriously rocks. It’s invisible.
![](https://brainfuel.tv/postimages/zappos.jpg)
Now let me compare it to Zappos.com because that’s who I personally consider the leader in the shoe market online. Plus a much better name. Let me know if you know of any others I don’t know of. Here’s what Zappos has that Shoes.com doesn’t: Customer product reviews, zoom pictures, and email me when it’s available reminders. Three super simple systems that totally make the experience that much better. I think the Zappos.com site design isn’t as slick as Shoes.com but that’s ok. Think about ebay. It could use a design overahaul as well but it still functions. Adds that personal, small company feel.
I just ordered some of these from Zappos.com and they came and fit perfectly. Cool site. I don’t think I ever want to go to a regular shoe store again.