Last Thursday, I learned about a new website that is going to change the way I shop for groceries: Alice.com. The company carries a range of household supplies at prices similar to the ones I pay at stores like Meijer and Kroger. Yes, I checked. The shipping is free, so I can place orders as often as I need.

What does that have to do with design? Sure, the visual layout is clean, friendly, and easy to use. That’s definitely a must. But it’s the thought behind the entire system of grocery shopping that intrigues me. This is not the first online grocery site, but by creating the first one with free shipping anywhere in the US, reasonable prices, and optional reminders for reorders, the founders of Alice.com have revolutionized grocery shopping. That is what design is all about: rethinking the standard to solve big problems. My problem being that I hate to go shop for groceries when I’d rather be checking out cool new websites.

I will still have to drive to stores for things like milk and veggies, but this saves a huge chunk of time. My first shipment from Alice.com took just 2 business days. I’m already adding new items when I think of them, basically eliminating the step of making a grocery list. Do yourself a favor and check it out: Alice.com