NexTag

NexTag emerged in 1999 as a pioneering platform in the online comparison shopping sector. Founded by Stanford graduates Purnendu Ojha and Rafael Ortiz, the company initially launched as a marketplace where consumers and sellers could negotiate prices for electronics and computer-related products. Recognizing a broader market need, NexTag pivoted its business model in 2000 to focus on comprehensive comparison shopping services.

The company's primary service was a vertical search engine that allowed shoppers to filter and compare millions of products across various criteria, including price, features, and seller ratings. A key feature was its "TruePrice Comparison" tool, which calculated the final price inclusive of taxes and shipping costs, offering greater transparency to consumers. The platform served a wide range of consumers looking for the best deals on products, travel, and even educational degrees. NexTag's revenue was primarily generated through a cost-per-click (CPC) model, where merchants paid a fee for each lead directed to their own websites from the comparison engine. This model positioned NexTag as a significant channel for customer acquisition for its merchant partners.

Over the years, NexTag embarked on a significant growth trajectory, marked by strategic acquisitions and substantial private equity investment. In 2007, Providence Equity Partners acquired a two-thirds majority stake in the company. To enhance its service offerings, NexTag acquired several companies, including product review engine Wize in 2010, German comparison site Guenstiger.de in 2011, and social shopping platform Thingbuzz, also in 2011. These acquisitions broadened NexTag's capabilities in product reviews and social commerce. In 2012, the company began operating under the corporate name Wize Commerce to reflect its expanded portfolio of monetization and traffic acquisition technologies. The firm was later acquired by private equity firm Regent in March 2015. Despite its long history and significant market presence, which at its peak served over 30 million shoppers a month, the NexTag.com website ceased operations around December 28, 2018.

Keywords: NexTag, Wize Commerce, price comparison engine, comparison shopping, online shopping, e-commerce, Purnendu Ojha, Rafael Ortiz, cost-per-click, CPC, lead generation, vertical search, Guenstiger.de, Thingbuzz, FanSnap, Providence Equity Partners, Regent, online marketplace, price analysis, product comparison, shopping aggregator