Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Q - How do I register for the Top 500 web site?
A – At the top right corner of the Top 500 web site you will see a Not a Subscriber? SIGN UP NOW! link. Follow the specified steps and you will be granted access to the Top 500 web site.
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Q - I can’t remember my password, what should I do?
A – To ensure that your account is secure, you are the only one who knows your password. If you have forgotten it, you will need to create a new one. Go to the Login page and select Forgot Password. You may be required to enter some personal information as a security precaution.
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Q - Where do I login to the Top 500 web site?
A – At the top right corner of the Top 500 web site you will see a Subscriber Login box. If you enter your Username and password you will be able to view the Top 500 data.
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Q - Can I change my personal information online?
A - Yes, log into your Top 500 account and go to Manage Account Settings. You can change your account information in addition to managing other aspects of your account.
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Q - What data will I have access to if I register for the Top 500 web site?
A - The electronic version of the Top 500 contains multiple years of data for each retailer. Specific categories include financial, operations, web site summary, customer satisfaction, performance, marketing, corporate contact information, key executives, payments, vendors, customer service and web site features and functions.
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Q - How are yearly renewals handled?
A - Renewal notices will be sent starting at 6 weeks prior to the renewal date.
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Q - How is the Top 500 data compiled?
A - The starting point for data gathering is the retailers’ web traffic from comScore Inc. and Nielsen Online. That list is supplemented with merchants that Internet Retailer has covered. Whenever possible, web sales listed in the electronic and print versions of the Top 500 came from the company. If the company did not provide sales figures, Internet Retailer estimated sales based on traffic and assumed conversion rate for that retailer’s category – as well as on analyst interviews – to formulate estimates. For monthly visits and monthly unique visitors, official numbers were supplied by many retailers. When a retailer did not reveal numbers, researchers used comScore, Nielsen Online or Internet Retailer estimates. For the conversion rate in most instances researchers used category data and analyst interviews to formulate estimates. For the average ticket and if the merchant would not reveal a number, researchers used category data and analyst interviews to formulate estimates. In all instances where an estimate is used, it is footnoted. Retailers were given multiple opportunities to review and respond to estimates.
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Q - What sources are used when compiling the Top 500 data?
A - Researchers contact each retailer several times over the course of data collection to compile, collect and fact check each merchant’s information. If the merchant did not provide full financial, operations and web site summary information, Internet Retailer used metrics from that retailer’s category – as well as analyst interviews – to formulate estimates. Additional data is supplied to the Top 500 from these information partners: comScore Inc., Nielsen Online, ForeSee Results, Hitwise and Silverpop Systems Inc. In all instances where an estimate is used or the data is supplied from a third-party, the figure is footnoted. Retailers were given multiple opportunities to review and respond to estimates and metrics provided by third-party research firms.
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Q - Can I access data and profiles from earlier editions of the Top 500 Guide?
A - Yes. You have access to two databases that archive information from the 2008 and 2009 editions of the Top 500 Guide. To select either edition, select Manage Account Settings to return to the Member’s Home Page and select the radio button for that year. Subscribers are unable to access both editions at once.
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