Cashing In on the New Social-Shopping Trend

This article was written by Kim T. Gordon of Entrepreneur.com

With the vast majority of Americans researching products on the Internet before they purchase them in stores or on the Web, it's no surprise that a whole new form of shopping is emerging. "Social shopping" is the intriguing offspring of social networking and online shopping, and it can offer your growing business just the marketing leg-up it needs.

Unlike the many retail sites that display products for sale, many increasingly popular social shopping sites (some still in beta testing stages) consist of product listings from site users who recommend their favorites, often with a strong emphasis on what's hot, new and exciting. Insiders know that listing their own products on the right social shopping sites can build buzz that leads to sales. ...