Successful Beta Test Continues for Online 'Indie Community'

With hundreds of users registering during its beta phase, the test of the new "Indie Community" on IndieBound.org has gotten off to a rousing start. On August 21, booksellers were asked to create their own Indie Community account on IndieBound.org and to utilize the site's features, to add favorite indie stores, and to ask fellow indie retailers to join, too.

In beta, the Indie Community is not yet open to the Internet community at large, nor is the site's functionality fully implemented. However, between now and the Indie Community's public launch in early September, there will be time to evaluate and respond to the feedback from beta participants, noted Matt Supko, ABA's web content coordinator.

The beta test of the Indie Community opened with listings for all ABA member bookstores, but, since the launch of the Community Beta Test, more than 200 additional stores have been added by users. "The Indie Community exists to help customers find unique, independently owned businesses," said Meg Smith, ABA chief marketing officer, "and the participation of the beta users is helping significantly to create a site where all users will be able to share information about indie retailers and connect with others based on interests and location."

All ABA member booksellers are encouraged to create an account and to provide association staff with feedback (via a link at the top of their account page). At the Indie Community, users who have created accounts on IndieBound.org can do a number of things:

• Post comments on retail stores, whether it be a review of each store, a personal experience there, some recommendations -- anything that can help other people learn more about that store;
• Edit existing stores to add more information -- store hours, pictures of the store, etc.;
• Add interest tags both to their own accounts and to stores ... tags like "Southern literature" or "vegan" help connect users and stores, and help everyone discover new things;
• Become fans of stores they know and love -- so that other people can find stores through their user profile;
• Add new stores -- great indie retailers they're familiar with; and
• Add other users as friends, and leave notes for other users.

For more information on the Indie Community, contact Supko via e-mail at matt@bookweb.org.