Startup Looks To Help Online Retailers Improve Word-Of-Mouth Marketing

Startup Bazaarvoice this week unveiled its hosted applications designed to help online businesses promote "word-of-mouth" marketing.

The Bazaarvoice product line includes hosted software for managing online customer communities and allowing customers to review and rate a company's products. The company also provides reporting and analysis tools, allowing online businesses to tap into and analyze customer feedback in much the same way they would with a customer focus group. And search and syndication tools allow online retailers to extend review content beyond their Web site. All that can help companies build customer loyalty and reduce merchandising cycle time.

Bazaarvoice says its applications are already being used by E-commerce vendors CompUSA, Golfsmith, and Petco.

Austin-based Bazaarvoice was co-founded last year by Brett Hurt, previously co-founder and CEO of Web analytics software vendor Coremetrics. Its management team includes former Coremetrics, Dell, and Trilogy executives.