Posted by Paul Ryan, Editor, Anthill Magazine

We’ve seen an explosion of innovative and just plain clever digital marketing campaigns in recent times, enabled by services such as YouTube, flash video technology and mainstream broadband adoption. But somehow, product-based shopping websites have remained largely anchored to a static digital yesteryear.

We recently stumbled on an acute example of just how appealing (and viral) a creatively designed shopping website can be. Dutch Company HEMA presents what at first glance appears to be a conventional ‘shop window’ product catalogue. But wait a few second and watch the magic kick in.

If you run a shopping website, or you’re thinking of launching one, this is the benchmark to which you should aspire.

Visit Hema - producten.hema.nl

Posted by Paul Ryan, Editor, Anthill Magazine

Until recently, having your DNA tested meant you were either under scrutiny from the law, uncertain of your parentage or concerned that you were predisposed to life-threatening disease. Not the rosiest group of scenarios.

Now, an American company is offering a Personal Genome Service to thoroughly analyse your DNA… for fun. All you need to do is spit in a vial and wait for the results.

Warning, the test does cost US$1,000, but the results reveal everything from the obvious (you have green eyes) to your susceptibility to a whole host of ailments from back pain to diabetes. It will even reveal information on where your mother and father descended from - the hybrid genetic composition of your lineage. In short, who you are, where you’ve come from, where you are heading and what you may leave behind.

Intrigued? Check it out. You can create a free demo account to explore further.

Visit www.23andme.com

Posted by Paul Ryan, Editor, Anthill Magazine

So you’ve had enough of the dog next door barking all night, not to mention the techno music two doors down. And, what’s that, it’s the third time this year someone has broken into your car? Now you can share your inside knowledge about your street/neighbourhood online and research the opinions of candid locals in other neighbourhoods before you move.

StreetAdvisor is the brainchild of Melbourne-based brothers Adam and Jason Spencer. They wanted to create a place online where people could read and write reviews, talk about local issues, see photos, videos, guidebooks, maps and more. Street Advisor is now in 25 countries, with a major focus on Australia, USA, UK and Canada.

As you can imagine, it will take plenty of time and millions of contributions before every street is rated and reviewed (the main road near my street was unrated). However, StreetAdvisor has had a good year, being covered by CNN, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The Age, A Current Affair. The site has also secured a partnership with RealEstate.com.au featuring StreetAdvisor on every single property listing page. It’s a safe bet to assume that the property market is where the real pot of gold lies for StreetAdvisor.

So check it out and have your say about your street and neighbourhood. The era of hyperlocal is upon us.

You can read more on the StreetAdvisor blog.