Mad Blog continues its round-up of sites that make the web an easier place to be, adapted from the Small But Perfectly Formed selection by Contagious.

3. Gripe

In the pre-digital era, when shops or companies treated customers badly, only the victim’s immediate family and friends heard about it. Now, a complaint can spread across social media like wildfire. Remember “United breaks guitars”, a YouTube song by a disgruntled musician who blamed the airline for wrecking his guitar? It attracted 150,000 views in one day.

Gripe makes that kind of firepower available to everyone. Just download the Gripe app, search for the company you wish to criticise, then add your complaint – or praise, as the app includes both “gripe” and “cheer” buttons. Companies can log in to track their progress and address the gripes, with the aim of converting them into cheers.
www.gri.pe

4. Equipio.com

People who enjoy social media aren’t just geeks glued to their screens. They’re sports fanatics too – and Equipio is aimed at them. Its slogan “What’s in your sports bag?” pretty much sums up what it does.

By clicking on a list of sports professionals, users can find out what equipment the pros use and then buy it online, from the latest England rugby shirt to Roger Federer’s racket. They can also get in touch with fellow users and exchange information about their favourite gear. Equipio constantly rounds up the most popular items and curates reviews from all over the web, including Twitter. When buyers are ready to spend, it links them to the appropriate online shopping site. Sports brands naturally love the site and are keen sponsors.
www.equipio.com

Read part 1