Design Your Own Shoes Online

Have you ever looked at shoes and thought - "I would like this, if only it had a different...(heel, stripe, buckle)"?

There's no need to do that any more. Here is a ranking of five websites that let you design your own shoes.

#1 (Tied)- Design Your Own Shoes With: Steve Madden here.

They offer a variety of choices, from flats, to heels, and a couple of sneakers. Prices range from $89.95 to $149.95 for boots.

You click on the shoes and start picking colors for the base, the stitching, the heel and other parts. On some of the design your own shoes selections, you can pick whether you want flats, kitten heels or low heels.

As you make each choice, the picture of the shoe changes to incorporate your color. It's fun to see what your ideas look like. Some of mine were truly hideous, but some were pretty good. This design your own shoes website can be particularly valuable if you're trying to match shoes to a dress for a wedding, prom or other function.

The Steve Madden site says they'll ship within three weeks. They clearly explain: there are no returns or exchanges when you design your own shoes.

#1 (Tied)- Design Your Own Shoes With: Nike on NikeiD, which stands for Individually Designed.

To design your own shoes on the Nike website, you pick your sneaker, and start picking colors for the sides, the back, the swoosh and other areas. Some of the designs offer really fun options, such as you can pick one color for each side of the shoe.

Most of the sneakers I looked at on Nike's design your own shoes website cost between $100 and $170, which is more than I typically pay for a sneaker, but I know many people often pay more. You can also write your name on some of the models.

The Nike website says delivery takes up to four weeks. I called the customer service number; a lady explained they DO allow you to return the design your own shoes within 30 days.

#3- Design Your Own Shoes With: Converse here.

They have fewer choices than Nike, but their site is less expensive, starting at $45 for kids up to $75 for leather sneakers.

As with the other sites, you pick your colors and watch your shoes come to life. In some, you can pick two different colors for the inner and outer part of the sneaker, and you can personalize your shoe with your name.

The Converse site says you can expect delivery in two to four weeks; and they do not accept returns for design your own shoes.

#4- Design Your Own Shoes With: My Etnies here.

They have six choices of sneakers. The basic shoe looks the same but the designs on the sides are different. In most cases, you only can pick black or white for the base color. Prices start at $54.95 -- including shoes for youths.

#5- Design Your Own Shoes With: Soft Star Shoes here.

Their website includes dressy women's shoes. Some of the design your own shoes creations here cost hundreds of dollars. But they do not show you pictures of the shoes you design, which is a huge drawback.

Overall, it's fun to design your own shoes online, even if you don't order anything right away.