What is shop5?

Shop5.com is a new way to find and compare the top 5 websites for almost anything. It will change the way you search the web.

Shop5.com is a free online service that gives you the top 5 sites for products and services in hundreds of categories. Instead of sifting through literally millions of search results, Shop5.com takes you straight to the best. For everything from online flower shops and electronics stores to internet radio stations and travel blogs, we’ve got you covered.

Our team of editors scours the web for the latest and greatest sites around, and then we do all the tedious research for you. We give you the who, what, where, why and how for each website, plus loads of useful information that will save you time and money. Whether you’re new to the internet or a full-fledged web junkie, Shop5 will make your search easier, faster and far more informative.

Other search methods may get you millions of listings, but the results are determined by math. It’s even possible for websites to “game” their way to the top of the list of results, which means the sites at the top may be the best…or they may not. With Shop5, the best sites are chosen by people, not robots. And we don’t just tell you which sites are the best, we tell you why.

And the best part? You decide what stays in the top 5. Shop5 users rate and review every site to ensure that the top 5 really are the cream of the crop. Think we’re missing a fantastic site? Suggest it! If we don’t get the top 5 right, we’re pretty sure you will.

The ratings and reviews from people just like you are what make our site so valuable, so poke around. Chances are you’ve already got something to say about many of the sites listed on Shop5.

So there you have it. Shop5. The Top 5 Sites. For anything.

Is the site free to use?

Yes

Do I have to sign up to use Shop5?

No. Anyone can take advantage of the mountains of information provided on Shop5, but you must register in order to rate sites and write reviews. It’s easy. Just enter your email address and a password. We promise not to spam you.

Why only five sites in each category?

As we continue to discover new sites and as we add sites that you suggest, many more than five sites will be profiled in each category. Someday we hope to have hundreds! But even when a category has hundreds of sites listed, there will always be the all-important "top 5" based on how the users vote.

Who decides on the top 5?

Shop5’s team of editors chooses and ranks the top 5 sites for every category. After that it’s up to you, the public, to decide what deserves to stay in the top 5.

Can I suggest a website?

Absolutely. We want to hear about all the fabulous web sites you come across. Just click on one of the “Suggest a Website” links on Shop5.com or email us at contact@shop5.com. Your suggestions of great websites are integral to our success, but keep in mind there are no guarantees that a particular site will be profiled.

Can I suggest my own website?

If you have a web site that seems perfect for Shop5, we’d love to hear about it! But Shop5’s editors decide who gets on the list, and Shop5 editors and users together decide who will be in the top 5.

Is it just for shopping?

Definitely not. Shop5 gives you the top sites for just about anything. That means we don’t just list internet retailers, but sites that offer great services as well. We even profile some of the best blogs around.

Can websites buy their way into the top 5?

No. Shop5.com is wholly independent. It is impossible for websites to control their ranking in the Shop5 listings. Websites cannot pay us to be listed.

How do you make money?

Right now, we don’t. We’re working on building the site and an audience. In the future, we plan to accept advertising.

Won’t advertising corrupt the Shop5 listings?

No. There will be a strict and rigid “Chinese Wall” between editorial and advertising.

Why wouldn’t I just use Google?

Google swamps you with thousands of results and often you can't figure out which are the best ones without lots of digging. Shop5 does the digging for you and puts all the useful information about the top sites in one place.

Why wouldn’t I just use a comparison site like Shopzilla, Pricegrabber or Shopping.com?

Comparison shopping sites are product-focused, not website-focused. Shop5 helps you find the best websites, whereas comparison shopping sites help you find specific products for sale by online retailers. Also, Shop5 isn’t just about shopping. We give the top 5 sites for hundreds of categories that have nothing to do with shopping, such as sites offering services and information, or blogs

There are hundreds of sites for some of your categories. Why aren’t they listed?

Shop5 is all about narrowing it down to the very best sites, so you don't have to plow through hundreds. But we're adding new content and categories every day. We would love to hear your suggestions!

How do I know the site profiles are accurate and up-to-date?

Our editorial staff updates Shop5.com’s content every day to ensure that the information is timely and accurate. We also rely on comments from our users, in case we miss anything.

How do I correct errors on Shop5.com?

Please send your comments to editors@shop5.com. We’ll reply to your email to let you know we’re listening and will make any approved corrections as quickly as possible.

What does Shop5 do with my personal information?

We will not sell, trade, lend or otherwise make available any user information to any third parties. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information

Are you hiring?

We’re always looking for excellent editors and developers to join the Shop5 team.

What about sites in other countries?

We're working on it.

Where are you based?

Santa Monica, California

When did you launch?

Spring 2008