Facebook could become the next big online shopping site, as
retailers plan to roll out linked e-commerce applications.
At least 20 US retailers are planning to open virtual
storefronts on Facebook in the next two months, according to the
Financial Times.
Large general and electronics retailers are expected to follow
US floral retailer 1-800-Flowers in running e-commerce applications
on Facebook.
T-shirt seller Threadless and department store Sears also have
limited e-commerce functionality in their Facebook
applications.
Businesses are increasingly turning to social media sites like
Facebook and Twitter to help boost flagging revenues in the
economic downturn.
The trend could be the start of a transformation that could turn
Facebook into a retail destination, said analysts.
Enabling users to do shopping on the site will increase
Facebook's ability to attract and retain users, they said.
Facebook has yet to reveal any plans it may have to capitalise
on the trend, but Twitter has launched a
guide for
businesses on how to make the most of the microblogging
site.
Twitter's home page has also undergone a redesign that makes it
look more like a service for professionals.
Many businesses see benefit in Twitter's marketing,
brand-building and customer interaction opportunities.
But recent technical faults and poor support have
raised questions about whether businesses should wait until
Twitter resolves these problems.