2. WHAT IS CONSUMER REPORTS?
• Provides product ratings and reviews since 1936
• “unbiased product testing and ratings, research,
journalism, public education, and advocacy”
• The company ensures products are safe, reliable and
are effective
• They connect with consumers in various ways: in
print through Consumer Reports magazine,
ConsumerReports.org, and issue-specific
publications
3. RATINGS BREAKDOWN
• National Testing and Research Center
(Yonkers, NY)
• Considered the largest non-profit consumer
product center worldwide
• Pivotal to Consumer Reports evaluations
• Compile marketplace demand on which
product a subscriber is likely to purchase
• Ratings based on government standards in
addition to specialists input
4. ACCESSIBILITY
• Consumer Reports magazine is available through subscription online
at ConsumerReports.org
• accessible through an internet connection by entering “consumer
reports” into a search engine and clicking the corresponding link
• Despite focusing on print, social media is prevalent within the print
edition and serves to enhance the magazine.
• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube are among the site
mentioned
5. PRINT EDITION
• Published monthly ( March 2016 issue,
pictured right)
• Divided into sections: in every issue;
insights; product updates; road report;
index and selling it
• Below sections, includes explanations
regarding the rating system (using
circles to indicate quality)
• Contact information
6. SEARCHING PRINT
• If a user were looking for information pertaining to which
foods contain natural ingredients, they simply reference
contents page
• Lead them to page10 under “Insights” section
• There, they will discover statistics of what “natural” means
(illustrated using percentages)
• Example: 85% surveyed noted no chemicals should be
used during processing
• Nearly half incorrectly believe foods labeled natural have
been “independently verified”
7. SEARCHING PRINT CONT.
• Next, a user could search which car
models are the most reliable
• Referring again to the contents page,
and locating appropriate section
(“Road Report”) along with page
number (60)
• Page will provide rating system used to
evaluate sport/sporty and subcompact
cars
8. PRINT VERSUS ONLINE
• Print version, while
comprehensive, the
online version offers
multiple search
options
• ConsumerReports.org
is downloadable
through mobile app
9. BROWSING BY SEARCH BOX
• To search, simply enter the
product name into search box,
doing so will lead you the
products homepage
• List of recently tested products a
user can scroll through
• Overview of evaluation process
to determine quality
10. A TO Z CATEGORIES
• An A-Z search is accessible by
clicking link right of the search
box
• Alphabetized product list
including “Backpacks, E-books
Readers, GPS and Hotel Rooms”
11. DROP DOWN MENU
• Select category along banner of
homepage will reveal a category (as
shown), along with corresponding
products
• Next, a user would click a product from
drop down menu to examine the
product reviews
• “Getting Started” and “Buying Guide”
links will be provided
• “price and shop” shows model numbers
and range of prices to purchase online
12. SEARCH BOX EXAMPLE
Which E-Book reader is
most effective?
• Typed “e-readers” then
clicked “e-readers” link
• Or “view all search
results”
13. SEARCH RESULTS
• Explanation of criteria
• Included YouTube video
comparing models
(Nook & Kindle)
• Ratings available by
subscription only
15. A –Z EXAMPLE
Which type of backpack is
suitable for school-aged
children?
• Click “A-Z” on homepage
which will direct a user to “All
products A-Z” page (listed
alphabetically)
• Scroll down to “backpacks”
which will highlight in blue to
click further
16. A-Z EXAMPLE CONT.
Page describes the following:
1. Backpacks to fit various
lifestyles
2. Shopping Tips
3. Backpack Tests
4. Sizing
17. DROP DOWN MENU EXAMPLE
• Under Kitchen category,
click kitchen cabinets
• Link will direct to
product page (as with
previous examples)
18. DROP MENU RESULTS
• Results will show an
updated buying guide
(July 2015)
• Getting Started
Information
• Picking a style
includes pros and cons
for each style
19. SUBSCRIPTION OR NO SUBSCRIPTION
• Ability to purchase digital or magazine version
• https://ec.consumerreports.org/ec/cr/order.htm?INTKEY=IW57CDR4
• For magazine, a prospective subscriber enters information into an online form,
which creates an account or if existing; supplies their username or email and
password
• 1-year subscription includes new product ratings, history of individual brands and
two free gifts listed at $10.99 retail value.
• For digital, access to 7,000 product ratings without advertising / Options: $30 /
year with unlimited access; $6.95/month also unlimited a month at a time
20. FOLLOW UP
• Please visit the local public library or Ask a Librarian feature on their
website if further information is needed
