Kristin Kryway, USWeb/CKS, 415/369-6718
[email protected]
USWeb/CKS Transforms Dick�s Sporting Goods Online into dsports.com � the Web�s Sports Superstore
New Portal-like Design, Scalability and Systems Integration Welcomes Holiday Shoppers
San Francisco - October 27, 1999 - USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB), the leader in Internet professional services, today announced a new milestone in its work for Dick�s Sporting Goods, one of the most respected and established sporting goods chains. USWeb/CKS helped transform Dick�s Sporting Goods� first-generation e-commerce site into dsports.com � a leading sporting goods superstore on the web. The site, http://www.dsports.com, was launched in time to benefit from the projected record number of online holiday shoppers.
USWeb/CKS is working closely with Dick�s to position its online business as an �e-tailing� powerhouse and differentiate its products and services from newly formed �dot com� competitors. The launch of the sporting goods superstore represents phase three of the combined effort, designed to enable users to quickly find and purchase sporting goods from a selection of over 43,000 products. USWeb/CKS initially worked with the company to launch Dick�s Sporting Goods Online in time for last year�s Superbowl game. During phase three, USWeb/CKS strengthened the site�s information architecture and tied it to the existing fulfillment infrastructure, improved search capabilities, and designed many new features � such as the newly launched wish lists. The goal was to prepare dsports.com for the record holiday sales it expects to drive from its $15M national and local advertising campaign.
�The site�s easy navigation and excellent gift giving features, such as gift wrap, gift certificates, and online wish lists make dsports.com the perfect place for holiday shopping,� said Bill Colombo, president of dsports.com. �With USWeb/CKS, we are launching a shopping experience that stands apart, providing a hassle-free experience for newcomers and web-shopping pros, backed by a stable infrastructure that is interconnected to our stores.�
USWeb/CKS applied its insight, experience and scale in order to transform the former site into the new portal-like superstore that is easy to use and provides high quality service. Special attention was paid to the way users navigate through the vast selection, and purchase and ship their items.
Showcasing Products/Usability: The site features over 43,000 products, ranging from mainstream sporting equipment to special-interest sports like Bocce ball.
Key usability features include:
- A core navigation system that showcases the breadth and depth of selection immediately upon entering the site.
- �Drop-down� navigation allows the customers to see all of the dsports.com specialty sporting goods shops.
- Customers have immediate access to keyword search.
- Specialty search �finders� within each sports shop allow customers to drill down into the product catalog.
- Users can refine their search based on criteria, such as price, gender and brand.
Special Holiday Features: USWeb/CKS developed features such as multiple shipping addresses in a single purchase transaction, online gift certificates and gift wrapping service, and build-your-own wish lists that friends and family can access online.
Strengthened Information Architecture: USWeb/CKS provided technical expertise in linking existing and new systems to enhance order fulfillment. Using Microsoft SQL7.0, USWeb/CKS integrated Dick�s Sporting Goods� physical point-of-sale data and online transaction systems to effectively support and manage inventory, merchandise tracking and marketing. In addition, USWeb/CKS equipped Dick�s Sporting Goods with online administrative tools for managing content, sale prices and upsells.
Scalability: Dsports.com is hosted by USWeb/CKS�s Managed Services on the WindowsNT platform and is designed to withstand heavy traffic.
About dsports.com
Dsports.com is the online retailing arm of Dick�s Sporting Goods, a 50-year old sporting goods company with more than 80 locations, principally in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Dsports.com offers the broadest selection possible of both basic and premium merchandise while providing customers with superior service that includes same day shipping on all orders received by 4:00 PM, 24-by-7 toll free customer service.
About USWeb/CKS USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB) seeks to transform businesses in the digital economy and create sustainable market leadership for its clients. As the leading Internet professional services firm, USWeb/CKS has created a new standard for success in the digital economy � Time-to-Value. Time-to-Value means USWeb/CKS applies its extensive insight, experience and scale to deliver breakthrough results quickly. The Company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with more than 4,000 professionals in over 50 locations worldwide. Additional information about USWeb/CKS is available by calling 415/284-7070.