Preferred Consumer launches 26-channel network of consumer information Web sites. Network features professional directories where visitors can locate service providers, as well as thousands of articles, links, auctions, coupons and more. Preferred Consumer also respects privacy and never asks for e-mail addresses.
LAS VEGAS, NV (PRWEB) July 7, 2004 -- PreferredConsumer.com, a consumer information Web "hublication" offering 26 channels of articles and information on a broad range of products and services—as well as professional directories, auctions, discount offers and more—made its online debut July 1. The network, which blends aspects of a portal (hence the "hub" in its description) and a publication, enters the marketplace with a unique position: complete respect for consumer privacy. Visitors are never asked to provide personal information to access Preferred Consumers content, and its founders have also launched a sister site, AnonymousConsumer.com, to help people protect their online privacy and personal information.
Preferred Consumers 26 vertical channels range from Medical, Legal and Small Business to Pets, Family Living and Travel. The network presents visitors with an enormous array of free content that its creators say is intended to "help consumers become more educated and make smarter buying decisions." The network features:
• 5,000+ articles and reviews from staff writers, freelancers, government and academic sources, with hundreds added each month
• Consumer Guides with a vast range of information and advice on products and services
• Professional Directories—exclusive, successful paid listings where consumers can find attorneys, real estate agents, mortgage brokers and other professionals by metro area
• Link Directories listing hundreds of useful Web sites in dozens of categories
• Specialty News feeds
• Auction Center
• Coupon Center
• The Preferred Consumer Store
"We didn't want to be just another portal grubbing for people's e-mail addresses so we could sell them to marketers," says Tom Chambers, president of Preferred Consumer and co-founder of NetVisibilities, LLC, a Web marketing and e-business incubation firm that's Preferred Consumer's parent company. "We wanted to take the ethical high road and tell people, 'Look, we don't want your personal information. We respect your privacy.' Our goal is to make consumers smarter and safer. If we do that and provide value, well be successful."
Preferred Consumer plans to add features following its launch, including additional directories such as auto dealerships. The company is also planning the launch of several other Web properties in late 2004 and early 2005. Its Informiti search engine, which will break out paid search results from directory and "meta" search results so consumers can see where their results come from, will launch in summer 2004. Its Virtual Critics community will launch in early 2005.
"We have some lofty goals," says Chambers. "We want to encourage total transparency of search results, help more people protect their private information when they're online so they can prevent identity theft, and help consumers make the best buying decisions and get the best values possible. This is more than a business venture for us. It's a matter of personal conviction." As a part of its privacy policy, Preferred Consumer will have no "cookies" on its sites, and will not ask for user e-mail addresses.
Media members interested in more information on the Preferred Consumer network can download a press kit at http://www.preferredconsumer.com . For additional information or to arrange interviews, please contact Tim Vandehey at (805) 216-1164 or tim@pacificwhim.com.
# # #
|
