As trends in technology continue to move ultimately everything “on-line,” shopping as we know it is being transformed. The internet now serves as a virtual shopping mall and allows visitors to by-pass the pestering sales people while staying off of their feet. This no-fuss, on-line shopping spree is increasingly popular due to its absolute convenience. In fact, three of every four computer users has made a purchase of either a product or service on-line. This growing web-market puts a new spin on, “Window Shopping,” and places a great deal of advertising up to shoppers themselves.

Epinions Web Shot

A web shot of a typical epinions review page.


Websites like Epinions.com have transformed the typical consumer report into a living a breathing product review that is personal to each writer. From iPods to the latest Twighlight movie, reviews are made and ratings are given. Sites like these aid on-line shoppers and in-store shoppers with their ultimate decisions. On-line shopping markets realized the strong influence that reviews on Epinions.com had on product selections and therefore, shopping.com bought the site in 2003. Only two years later, major on-line shopping and bidding site, Ebay.com acquired Epinions.com and owns it currently. 

Similarly, the more user-catered GetGlue.com recommends products based on individuals likes and dislikes. Run similarly to the sensational Pandora music site, users can thumbs up or thumbs down particular items displayed to them. The program then analyzes the latest data and continues to suggest items accordingly. 

Get Glue Member Page

A Get Glue Guru member page.


With the rise of and trendiness of web-sites like Epinions.com and GetGlue.com, shoppers (especially web-shopaholics) are very likely to make purchases based on reviews. To help garner the best reviews from users, GetGlue will be launching a giveaway program. Well rated users that review and comment often in particular categories are donned “gurus.” These particular gurus will now be catered to with promotional giveaways to encourage positive feedback and reputable reviews. 

Media companies including, Universal, Random House, Hachette, Harcourt, Farrar, Wiley, and Harper Collins are participating in the promotion that will reward Glue Gurus for their allegiance and entice them to write future reviews. The companies will be giving gurus their products like free movie passes to see their films or free books. The user benefits because they get free products and the companies benefit because they get great exposure. Try your reviewing skills out at one of the sites and look into GetGlue’s giveaway promotion. In GetGlue.com’s FAQ page they wrote, “The Guru Giveaways let you earn free new releases related to things that you’re passionate about. Not bad, huh? And it’s only one of the special powers GetGlue offers Gurus. Groups who are promoting new releases can use GetGlue.com to help launch their book, movie, or album. By running a Guru Giveaway they reward Guru’s of related items with a free copy of – or tickets to – the new release that they’re launching.” 

In an on-line universe of brand marketing it’s extremely important to target known influencers for a rise in sales both on-line and in stores.