Websites using Pricerunner

Okay, let s break down PriceRunner, covering its overview, revenue model, alternatives, pricing aspects (for merchants), and customer care.

Overview

PriceRunner is a price comparison website. Its primary function is to allow users to search for products from a wide range of online retailers and compare prices, shipping costs, reviews, and other relevant factors. It helps consumers find the best deals on the items they want to buy. Essentially, it acts as a middleman, aggregating product listings from various e-commerce stores.

• Key Features:

  • Price Comparison: The core function. Users can see prices for the same product from different retailers.
  • Product Search: Users can search by keyword, product name, or category.
  • Product Information: Detailed product specifications, descriptions, and images (often pulled from the retailers websites).
  • Reviews: Some PriceRunner sites include user reviews or integrate with review platforms.
  • Filter and Sort: Users can filter results by price, brand, retailer, features, and other criteria.
  • Price History: Helps users see how prices have changed over time, enabling them to identify good deals.
  • Alerts: Users can set up price alerts to be notified when a product drops below a certain price.

• Target Audience: Consumers looking for the best prices on products online.

Revenue Model

PriceRunner primarily generates revenue through:

• Cost-Per-Click (CPC): This is their main income stream. Retailers pay a fee each time a user clicks on a product listing on PriceRunner and is redirected to the retailer s website to make a purchase. The cost per click varies depending on the product category, competition, and other factors.

• Commission/Cost-Per-Sale (CPS): In some cases, PriceRunner may also earn a commission on sales generated through their platform. This means they get a percentage of the sale price when a user buys something after clicking through from PriceRunner.

• Premium Listings/Advertising: Retailers can pay for enhanced visibility through featured placements, highlighted listings, or banner ads.

• Partnerships: Possible revenue from partnerships with other companies.

• Data: They collect data on consumer behavior, which could be sold or used internally.

Alternatives

PriceRunner has several competitors, including:

• Google Shopping: A major player in the price comparison space. Benefits from Google s search dominance.
• Bing Shopping: Similar to Google Shopping, integrated with the Bing search engine.
• Shopzilla: A long-standing price comparison site.
• Become.com: Another established price comparison engine.
• Kelkoo: A European-focused price comparison service.
• Idealo: Strong presence in Europe (especially Germany).
• CamelCamelCamel (Amazon-Specific): Primarily tracks price changes on Amazon.
• Skyscanner (Flights, Hotels, Cars): While focused on travel, it provides a comparison service.
• Kayak (Flights, Hotels, Cars): Another travel-focused comparison site.
• Individual Retailer Websites: Consumers can always compare prices by visiting multiple retailer websites directly.

Pricing (For Merchants)

The pricing model for merchants (retailers who list their products on PriceRunner) is primarily based on CPC (Cost-Per-Click). Here s what you need to know:

• Bidding System: Merchants typically bid on keywords or product categories. The higher the bid, the more likely their product will appear prominently in search results.

• Variable CPC Rates: The CPC rate varies depending on several factors:

  • Product Category: More competitive categories (e.g., electronics, popular clothing) will generally have higher CPCs.
  • Competition: The number of retailers selling the same product influences the CPC.
  • Product Attributes: Specific product features or brand names can affect the cost.
  • Quality Score: Some platforms use a quality score system based on factors like product data accuracy and relevance. Higher quality scores can lead to lower CPCs and better placement.
  • Minimum Bids: There s usually a minimum bid requirement.
  • Budget Management: Retailers can set daily or monthly budgets to control their spending.
  • Tracking and Reporting: PriceRunner provides tools for merchants to track their performance, including the number of clicks, cost, and sales generated.
  • Commission Option: As mentioned earlier, they might provide options for commission-based pricing, but CPC is the dominant strategy.
  • Free Listing Option (Potentially Limited): Some may have a free tier with extremely limited exposure.
  • Subscription fees: Some other services may have a monthly subscription in addition to a CPC model.

Important for Merchants: To succeed on PriceRunner, retailers need to optimize their product listings with accurate descriptions, high-quality images, and competitive pricing. They also need to carefully manage their CPC bids to maximize their return on investment (ROI).

Customer Care Details

Finding precise customer service details for PriceRunner can be a bit tricky, as it primarily acts as a platform connecting consumers to retailers. Here s a general approach:

• PriceRunner Website: The first place to look is the PriceRunner website in your region. Look for sections like Help, FAQ, Contact Us, or Support.
• FAQ/Help Center: Many price comparison sites have extensive FAQs that address common user questions.
• Contact Form/Email: They should have a contact form or email address for inquiries.
• Phone Support (Less Common): Phone support is less common for price comparison sites.
• Social Media: Check their social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) for updates and potential customer service interactions. You might be able to get a response by messaging them.

• Check local country domains: Often customer support will depend on the country. For example, the UK site may have different customer support than the Spanish site.

• Key Issues Users Might Contact Them About:

  • Technical Issues: Problems with the website or app.
  • Inaccurate Information: Incorrect pricing, product descriptions, or availability.
  • Missing Retailers: Suggestions for adding new retailers to the platform.
  • Complaints About Retailers: While PriceRunner isn t directly responsible for retailer actions, they may investigate serious complaints.
  • Account Issues: For registered users, issues related to their account settings or price alerts.

Important Note: When contacting PriceRunner about an order, be prepared to provide details such as the product name, the retailer you purchased from, and any order numbers you have. Ultimately, for order-related issues, you ll likely need to contact the specific retailer directly. PriceRunner is responsible for issues related to its service, not the retailers using the service.