Houzz

Houzz is a leading online platform for home remodeling and design, connecting homeowners with professionals and providing inspiration and products for home improvement projects.

Key aspects of Houzz:

• Inspiration: Houzz boasts a vast library of high-resolution photos showcasing diverse home styles, rooms, and projects. Users can save their favorite images in "Ideabooks" to gather ideas.
• Find Professionals: The platform features a directory of millions of home professionals worldwide, including architects, interior designers, contractors, and more.
• Shop Products (Houzz Shop): Houzz offers a marketplace where users can purchase a wide variety of home goods and furniture.
• For Professionals (Houzz Pro): Houzz Pro is a subscription-based software providing tools for professionals to manage their business, market their services, and collaborate with clients.

History:

• Houzz was founded in 2009 by Adi Tatarko and Alon Cohen, who were frustrated by the lack of resources during their own home renovation project.
• Initially, it was a platform for sharing inspirational photos and connecting homeowners with design professionals.
• Over time, Houzz expanded its offerings to include a marketplace for products and software solutions for professionals.
• Key milestones include the launch of the mobile app (2012), the introduction of the "Best of Houzz" awards (2012), the launch of the Houzz Shop (2014), and the introduction of Houzz Pro (2020).
• In 2015, Houzz acquired GardenWeb, becoming the largest online home and garden community.

How Houzz works:

• For Homeowners: Users can browse photos for inspiration, find and connect with local professionals, ask questions in forums, read articles, and shop for home products.
• For Professionals: They can create profiles to showcase their work, connect with potential clients, get leads, and use Houzz Pro software to manage projects and grow their business.

Things to consider:

• Third-party sellers: The Houzz marketplace includes third-party sellers, so it's important to check reviews and seller ratings before making a purchase.
• Return policies: Houzz generally accepts returns within 30 days, but policies can vary depending on the seller.
• Reviews: While Houzz verifies reviews to ensure legitimacy, some users have expressed concerns about review moderation.