Social Shopping Anyone?

Ever thought about shopping on social networks?  It’s the newest form of shopping combining social networking and online shopping.  MySpace and Facebook are attracting more people to share ideas, pictures, blogs, and now products. 

Think about it.  This could be huge for entrepreneurs with limited marketing budgets.  There could be a wealth of opportunities from  this newest word of mouth marketing.  MySpace users and friends recommending their favorite products and what’s hot, new and exciting.

Entrepreneur Magazine, has some suggestions on why social shopping works:

1. Online research leads to sales – A survey conducted by Consumer Intentions and Actions in 2006 revealed that consumers occasionally or regularly research products online before purchasing them in the store. So, influencing online shoppers may pay for itself.   

2. Peer to peer recommendations deliver credibility - Learning about products on other peers sites will be trusted more and peers are more likely to tell others about it thereby spreading the word and attracting others to the site. The social networking site itself does the talking. “Social shopping sites reflect users’ personal tastes and allow for online conversation.”

3. Site have distinct personalities – ThisNext.com, Crowdstorm.com, Kaboodle.com, Stylehive.com, and Wists.com are some of the hottest, new social shopping sites out there.  See, I’m spreading the word all ready.

4. Social shopping sites are an open door for entrepreneurs - Entrepreneurs should try it out by posting their URL links and measure the results.            

Check the sites out.  I think that it’s pretty clever and everyone on MySpace or Facebook can enjoy a new way of socializing.  One that us women really enjoy!

Tags: blogs, Marketing, social networking