15. ChaosMusic: The calm in the Net storm
Category
Music/Entertainment
Overall impression and usability
ChaosMusic.com has a wide offering, ranging from CDs, DVDs, accessories, gifts vouchers, as well as other ChaosVision (for video clips and interviews), and ChaosRadio. Although the homepage only features navigation and no products, once you are within a category (CD, DVD) then the top 5 are as well as "Chaos Recommends" selections are available.
The integration between ChaosMusic and its subsites is not well managed.
Unlike any of the other sites reviewed, ChaosMusic uses a black background for the site design. This gives the site a very different feel to other e-commerce sites.
Hits
- ChaosMusic has a rich range of media available for the music buff. From ChaosVision to ChaosRadio, or the Top40, you're bound to find something of interest.
- The classical music section has excellent brief histories and details of the genres (e.g. early music), so if you're new to it, you'll certainly be able to keep the dinner party conversation going and fill those awkward pauses when things go quiet--"Say, how about that Abbess Hildegard..."
- There is a clear sale section for all items on sale at Chaos--no more searching through each category.
- There are regular competitions for members to win CDs and other prizes.
- All musical tastes seem to be catered for. Whether you like indie, world, jazz, or electronic--there's heaps for you.
- Browsing trough the site is quite easy
- Track listings and song excerpts are available in RealPlayer and Liquid Audio.
- Product specials and general promotions are clearly visible.
- Shows discounts off RRP, for on sale items.
- You can download full versions of a range of tracks for free, or purchase others.
Misses
- Classical is the only area to have such a rich introduction to its genre.
- Not all albums have track excerpts (e.g. Moulin Rouge).
- The only way to access all the music is by searching.
- The "33 percent off recent releases" was empty--not a good start to getting the best value. Also, quite a few CDs were marked as on sale but the sale prices were the same as the RRPs.
- The track downloads were incompatible with a download manager (DAP), and had to be disabled for the download to work.
- Integration between all the subsites, especially wired records for purchasing MP3s as a download was not well handled. It took us a moment to get back to the ChaosMusic site.
- After adding an MP3 to our basket, we returned to the main site and the item had disappeared.
Purchasing procedure
- The purchase process is very easy. If you log in, all your details are pre-populated for acceptance, or editing if required.
- Payment can be made by credit card (online), BPay, cheque, money order, or fax, as well as gift vouchers.
Security
- The site uses SSL encryption.
ePharmacy currently has 3 staff members. It proves that you do not have to have a massive business structure to have a successful e-commerce business.