The idea evolved because duo Fred Oliveira and Pedro Freitas realised there was a general interest in social networks for sharing existing items purchased and also desired items. “I buy a lot of books,” said Oliveira, “and there are lots of people who like to know what I read. The idea has begun to trend that way, for people to share the things they buy.” The platform is connected to Facebook and Twitter, and users can find a little of everything on the site from shampoo to chocolate, to trips on the Orient Express. Our source at Dragão Porto told us, “There’s so much variety you can really get lost in just browsing around and building up a wishlist, which means that it’s a lot of fun as well as being useful.”
Currently buyers can share their wishes and interests, but in the future the idea is “to make it so the stores can communicate and be closer to customers.” Oliveira said, “The idea of the future of Bling is to then begin to do things with the data. We can do things like tell the style of Nike trainers that are purchased most by people in Colombia.” He also mentioned that he foresaw, “talking to the brands themselves to arrange ways to get cheaper products to consumers.”
Currently the network seems to be focusing heavily on fashion and related lists, despite having a wide range of themes available including food, music and even pets. “Our audience has tended very quickly to this area and this means that our growth is rapid in this world but slow in others,” said Oliveira.
Our Dragão Porto contact told us they’d been having great fun using the network, adding that they could, “see a definite future for the site. It’s definitely something I’ll continue using and enjoying.”
The site can be found at http://www.bling.io
http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/
