Halfords is letting customers ask product questions and answer each other’s on its web site.

The Ask & Answer tool is part of the product ratings and reviews service supplied by Bazaarvoice that went live at the same time.

As well as allowing customers to post reviews, the tool enables them to submit questions about products, which other customers or Halfords’ product specialists can answer.

Customers must be registered on the site to either ask or answer a question, but all questions and answers can be viewed publicly. Questions and answers relating to specific products or services are shown at the bottom of each product page and consumers can either browse or search all questions that have been asked.

Halfords channel development manager Jon Asbury said: “We’ve had a very positive response so far from our customers – almost 800 questions have been submitted and this is all organic activity.

“The views of other customers are increasingly valuable in forming buying decisions and will improve the quality and relevance of information available on Halfords’ site, in turn having a positive impact on sales.”