5 minute guide for first time users.

Reviewing your account. You can change your email address, check green points status and make reward claims in "My Account" in the left hand menu block "My Stuff".

Browsing products. First and foremost see how clicking the grey bars shrinks and expands menus. Then try a simple search, say on a brand. Now restrict the search results and click on a grey active bar and select any of the options (e.g. a retailer or a category). To relax the criteria unlock the key icon with a single click. All these options mean that you can use the search browse function for fairly advanced search.

Using green filters. By default greener products are listed first, but you may wish to exclude entirely red rated ones. Click on the orange tag to filter them out. Want only the very greenest products? Click on the green filter tag. To relax the criteria unlock the key icon.

View & buy a product. You can get more detail on a product by clicking on the product title, the image or the read more link. To buy a product you must be logged in. Normally, the Buy Now link will be below the price in the information box. Sometimes the price is replace by P.O.A. (price on application). In this case a link should appear below the product description. When you click on the Buy now link you will be redirected to the retailer, charity or service provider.

Viewing brand and retailer ratings. Retailer and brand ratings are available on the product detail page info box on the right hand side. Click on the product image or title if you are on a browse page. Click on a retailer or brand name to see what we have to say. You can also rate a retailer or brand here. Add your comments too - moderated for now.

Labelling greener products. Most greener products will have keywords or tag labels associated with them. If you are keen, you are free to add your own. Best if these are useful to other users as they will visible to all!

Collecting green points. You need to be logged in to collect points. You buy an item directly from the advertised retailer. The retailer informs us when the transaction has gone through and within a day, sometimes within hours the details should then appear on your account as "pending". Green points are assigned shortly after confirmation.

Interacting with ecomonkey. Is positively encouraged, but keep it clean. Report errors and omissions. Flag the item to us and we'll investigate - applies to products, brand and retailer ratings. Rate retailers and brands and use comments to offer info that might be useful to other readers. But use the contact form for questions - we will to get back to you promptly.

We also have a comprehensive set of FAQs, which should cover most questions.