One of my favorite small-business search topics is something called “social search.” A social search engine is one that lists small businesses and allows people to rate and review them. I guess we can call these types of sites “directories,” but what is clear from the discussion is that people aren’t really looking for directories; they are looking for answers, recommendations, and user experiences. Social sites ask members and visitors to rate their experience, good and bad, with a business and post that information for others to view. Depending upon who you listen to, actual purchases made over the Web only.
