Small Merchant

SILVER: Web Channel

Centurynovelty.com

Century Novelty is here to help you get this party started. The site offfers a serious selection of fun and unique party favors, supplies and decorations for nearly every occasion. Products range from luau leis and Elvis wigs to graduation caps and beer stein centerpieces for Oktoberfest.

WHY IT WON A SILVER AWARD: CenturyNovelty.com has an intelligent search engine mechanism and logical upsell recommendations integrated with the shopping experience. When an item is unavailable in the desired quantity, recommended substitute products are displayed both on the item page and the basket page. “I like that they use the left nav for promo space” such as same-day shipping and testimonials, said one judge.

The carousel on the entry page is well done, and “the perpetual cart is great,” said one panelist, “as is the recently viewed items.”

WHY IT DIDN'T WIN A GOLD AWARD: Several judges thought the site's navigation needed some work. CenturyNovelty.com should also “work harder at minimizing the number of clicks it to takes to buy something,” said one panelist. — TP

Co-Creative directors: Joe Genovesi, Ian MacDonald

Marketing director: Ian MacDonald

Website designer: Mathematic Arts

Merchandiser/copywriter: Jill Witkopp

Search engine marketing: Ian MacDonald, Jill Witkopp

Photographer/illustrator: Joe Genovesi