An exciting and ground-breaking new website for Millers Antiques that provides users with access to extensive content on antiques combined with a wide range of interactive and community based features.
Visit the Miller's Antiques & Collectables website
Background
Miller’s Publications was co-founded by Judith Miller in 1979, and the first Miller’s Antiques Price Guide was published in the same year. It rapidly grew to become the essential companion for anyone who loves antiques, including collectors, dealers, auctioneers and interior decorators.
The easy to understand, illustrated format opened the world of antiques to a wider audience, allowing anyone to collect, buy or sell with confidence. Published annually, and with entirely new content every year, Miller’s price guides build into the world’s most comprehensive visual reference library on antiques and collectables.
The publishers required a new website that would broaden the appeal of the Antiques Guide further and ultimately build an on-line community where collectors can build and share knowledge about antiques and collectables.
Solution
Imaginet created a highly bespoke solution for Miller's Antiques that combines extensive content with web 2.0 features that help to build a community and encourage interaction on the website.
Key features of the website include:
- An extensive back-end administration system where all content can be managed including the catalogue containing 1000s of descriptions and images of the items from the published guide
- Visitors can join the Miller's Club to search the entire catalogue, gain access to extended content on the site and receive regular newsletters on collectables of interest to them
- Content is inter-related throughout the site, so that antiques or other articles of interest are presented when appropriate, enhancing a user's experience on the site
- Judith Miller writes a regular blog on the site about key news, information and tips from the world of antiques and collectables and users are invited to comment and get involved
- Users can find a local Dealer or Auctioneer with content overlayed onto an interactive map, pinpointing their location. Businesses can then claim their entry on the website and upgrade their listing to a prominent position in the site, providing a revenue stream from the site
- The website has a US version containing item prices in dollars and using a map of the USA for locating antique businesses
- A variety of quick polls and questionnaires are used throughout the site in order to gain valuable research on users activities and preferences in order to improve the site further
- The Miller's range of books can be bought via a link to the parent company website www.octopusbooks.co.uk
