6 Ways to Shop With Social Media

Online shoppers have discovered "a world beyond Amazon," Ben Parr writes on Mashable. Now they can swap advice, start up shops, and even get to know designers on sites like:

• Pikaba. Post requests for purchases ("I need to buy a new laptop for $500"), receive merchant offers, and trade suggestions via Facebook and Twitter.

• IMShopping. Ask experts or fellow shoppers for advice via Twitter.
• Tigerbow. Give gifts more easily. The site contacts recipients for their address before sending your package.
• Shopflick. See videos introducing you to new clothing and jewelry, and their designers.
• Zlio. Open your own store and promote it via social media.
• Shopseen. You and other shoppers can upload pics of items you've spotted real-world, and yack about them.

(More online shopping stories.)