MeCommerce is the latest product from Good Storm, which currently in beta, that promises tighter integration between the book, DVD and CD store with your site or blog than other solution out there like Amazon. What makes it unique is the ability to stay on the publisher’s site while at the same time purchase an item of choice.

The product is not live yet, but the site features a sample block so you can get a feeling about what it actually looks like. Here are some screenshots I take based on my quick experiment with it:

When you visit the site, you see a demo block as follow.

For those of you who are curious, the block is actually a browser frame, hence the interaction is available without having to leave the original site. Note that there is a strong call to action of sponsorship on the top of the block.

When you click one of the item, you will see the screen like below:

The block now displays more complete description of the product. Below the product is where you can enter billing, shipping and order information. Note the product description, billing, shipping information and order have a green arrow next to them. Click on the arrow to toggle display of the related section.

In this stage, if you want to go back to the product block to select other product (and cancel this one), you can’t. There is no direct link to previous screen, although you can use Alt+ button to accomplish that (the browser’s shortcut for “back”).

This product is cool, based on my first impression. Probably because I never saw it before.

MeCommerce have to address different issues for the product to be successful. For instance, how can I be so sure I am on a secure page, if I am indeed on a frame?

Firefox has the View Frame Info menu that allows to to see which page is currently being displayed on the frame, and the Headers tab shows the actual host information. Intenet Explorer has the Properties menu to show more or less the same — albeit less detailed — information.

MeCommerce should have a way (other than the Verisign Secured icon) to ensure users that they are indeed on a secure page, not a phishing site.

Another concern is the design. They can improve it so that it is more integrated with the blog/site. Currently the product lets site publishers to customize colors and sizes though.

Overall, MeCommerce is still in beta, I can see the potential. If they can maintain a high level of inventory, there is no reason why publishers don’t turn to them, especially considering that they keep 50 percent of the product mark up. A $25 book, which cost $15, has a mark up of $10. For each purchase of the book, you get $5.

Link: GoodStorm’s MeCommerce.