B&Q

B&Q's cheerful website allows customers to make an online shopping list but, as yet, not to order over the Internet. Use the Search facility on the top-left-hand side of the screen to locate materials quickly. This will bring up a further menu to help you refine your choice by name, make, or price. To browse, use the menu on the left-hand side of the page and if you get lost in the many sections, just click on Home and start again.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Products brings up a menu in dazzling B&Q orange listing their 23 main merchandise areas and outlining a selection of their 40,000 products. If you can't find what you're looking for online, there's a facility to locate your nearest store by postcode or town.

DIY Advice allows customers to ask B&Q's experts for online advice on specific DIY projects. Go to Your Questions Answered to look at detailed step-by-step advice on common home-decorating projects, or use the Ask Our Experts facility to send in your own question. A question we sent in on laying laminate flooring received a response in two working days.

DIY Projects gives clear instructions on how to complete many practical jobs around the house such as Fitting a Door Lock, Wallpapering Techniques, and Basic Plumbing.

OTHER FEATURES

If you're setting aside the weekend to paint your house or put up a shed, check out B&Q's daily weather forecast which scrolls across a box on the top of the homepage. If you have a few moments to browse, go to the bottom of the homepage and click on More Magazine Features to access an archive of articles from Which Online, Livingetc, Ideal Home, Homes & Ideas, Your Garden, and Practical Householder. There's a link to the website of cable channel Discovery Home & Leisure which promises to bring up factsheets and video clips online. Only try out this facility if you have lots of leisure time to spare. There is also a link to Improveline (see p 21).