ArtFire: Transforming E-Commerce with Community Directed Development

Tucson, AZ, May 09, 2009 --(PR.com)-- ArtFire.com, the premier online marketplace for handmade products, is revolutionizing the way community web sites are built. Via Community Directed Development site, members on ArtFire are in direct contact with development, governance, policy and marketing teams to add their voice to the direction for all site operations. More than just open source, Community Directed Development creates near real-time interface between end users and project teams (including executive management). The end user is involved in creating policy, governance, function, layout and full customization of the final web development product. This extends the traditional beta period and allows for the website to grow and expand in completely new direction to specifically serve the needs of the community members.

More about ArtFire.com
ArtFire is an online community made up of artisan sellers from around the world. Members can set up their own studio, display their inventory and sell their handmade goods to global shoppers. By giving the community the strongest voice in the site’s development, ArtFire craft sellers are able to specifically mold the tools and features they need to be successful in their business. From their ideas and suggestions, ArtFire.com has been able to build such tools as Rapid Cart remote checkout technology and Market Hub, a personal brand connection function for cross site branding.

“Community Directed Development has been both one of the most difficult and one of the most rewarding initiatives at ArtFire,” said Tony Ford COO of Artfire.com Our members have grown more confident in their contributions and their sweat equity is building the most highly customized handmade selling platform ever launched.”

For more information, please contact:
Tony Ford, COO
ArtFire Inc.
1-877-688-2323
http://www.artfire.com

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