Become.com, a vertical search engine that combines product-focused web search with comparison shopping, has launched a feature that allows customers to quickly find an item they want in the color they desire.
The “color search” feature allows users to choose any color from across the color spectrum and instantly see all relevant results from more 20 million products from 5,000 merchants, the company says.
Visitors to the search engine site type in the item they are searching for in the search box and click on the “shop” button. The “color search” pops up at the top right of the results page. Users can mouse over they color they desire from 1,000 shades to find items in the color they are seeking.
Color search is powered by Become.com technology that enables the site to instantly translate basic RGB (red, green, blue) computer colors into a real-world color spectrum using a proprietary algorithm.
Color search is the most recent addition to Become.com’s proprietary technology, which also includes Search Zoom. Search Zoom allows users to focus results according to their preferences, such as product reviews, buying guides or discussion forums. The search results page presents links for research in the left column and links to shopping in the right column.
“We allow the user to research products they’re thinking of buying as well as shop when they’re ready to buy,” says Michael Yang, founder and CEO.
On shopping pages, consumers can view up to 20 products at a time in the grid view, save favorite items for other visits, and sort products by features such as size, price, color and style. The product index, including prices, is updated every hour, Yang says.
The comparison shopping engine also provides total tax and shipping information and a store locator for customers wanting to try or buy items in person. When comparing prices, users can sort by lowest price, preferred store or by merchant ratings based on user reviews.
Become.com has experienced 600% growth year-over-year during the third quarter, and expects similar growth in the fourth quarter. Yang wouldn’t disclose revenue numbers. Become.com launched a redesigned web site in October.
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