Heals has recently re-designed their website navigation so it’s easier to use. There’s a quick link to purchasing and delivery, for instance. Heals keep a relatively small selection on offer, mostly espresso makers, although there are separate pages for cafetieres. You can refine your search by brand but there’s little need.
Finding the website
Visit the Heals home page at www.heals.co.uk.
Finding the section on coffeemakers
When you have reached the Heals home page click on the ‘Kitchen’ tab in the band at the top of the page or enter ‘coffee makers’ in the search box at top left and click on the ‘Go’ button. When you press the ‘Kitchen’ tab this brings up an illustrated menu page. Click on ’Kitchen Electrical’ and go to the menu on the left hand side of the page, where you click on ‘Coffee Makers’. This brings up the coffee makers page. To find cafetieres and filter makers click on the ‘Tea and coffee’ tab at the top of the page. There is a menu on the left hand side of the page with links to cafetieres and ‘espresso’ makers, although the latter are the screw top heat on the cooker type.
The selection available
The Heals website has a relatively modest selection of coffee makers, mostly espresso machines and in the medium price bracket. Brands represented include Krups, Dualit and Gaggia. Cafetieres are mostly Bodum items.
Information provided on the site
Although the selection is small it’s well laid out with an image of the item, its name and price. You can sort by price, high to low or low to high, but with so few items to choose from it’s not really relevant. You can also search by brand name. Click on the ‘more info’ link to bring up the item page. This offers a larger image, the items full name and price.
Under the item’s price there are details on availability along with delivery charge price. There is a quantity box, an ‘Add to basket’ button and a ‘Buy now’ button to the right of the image. Below this are ‘Description’, ‘Detail’ and ‘Review’ tabs. Click on the ‘Description ‘tab for a brief description of the coffee maker that outlines features, including capacity and water pump pressure as well as a description of the item’s benefits. An example is the case of the Krups ‘Expert’ – its ‘crema enhanced’ function or hot plate and drip system that allows you to remove the coffee pot at any time including during the brewing process. The ‘Detail’ tab just brings up the product ID number. The product ID is available so you can e-mail a Heals product advisor if you have questions about the coffee machine you have chosen.
Unlike some other sites there is no guide to buying a coffee maker.
Buying from the website
When you’ve found the item you want to buy click on the ‘Buy now’ button if you want to go straight through to the checkout. If you want to continue shopping, click on the ‘Add to basket’ button. You can check on what’s in your basket by clicking on the ‘Your basket’ link.
On the checkout page you’ll be asked to log into your account. You can do this if you already have a Heals account. If you’re a new customer you’ll have to register by entering your e-mail address and clicking the ‘New customer’ button. You then enter your details and create a password.
At ‘Checkout’ you confirm your billing and delivery address then input your credit card details. This doesn’t take long and according to the site is fully secure. Heals accepts payment by all the major credit or debit cards. It also allows you to pay through PayPal. When you’ve inputted your credit card details click on the ‘Place your order’ button. When your order has been placed you’ll be taken to an order confirmation page and you’ll receive an e-mal confirmation sent to your registered e-mail address.
For delivery options visit the ‘Delivery information’ page but Heals aims to dispatch products that are in stock within 1 – 2 days.
Finally
Heals makes it easy to buy from its website and the website is easy enough to navigate. But the selection of items is not large and you’d be more likely to use this website if you are looking for more than just a coffee maker.
If you plan to visit a Heals store there is a ‘Store locator’ link on the home page. Each outlet has its own link giving opening times and, more importantly ‘services’. There is also information on how to reach the particular outlet by train or car and parking advice.