SOCIAL media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are trying to cash in on the rise of social commerce, yet they seem to be missing the point.

The phrase social commerce, aka social shopping, should really do exactly what it says on the tin; enhance your online shopping experience by replicating your high street experience as much as it can.

The Facebook and Twitter ‘buy’ buttons might be a bit too blatant for that, but it is easy to see why they’re trying to muscle in.

In the US there are multiple platforms adding value to an online shop, creating an environment where you and your friends have your own personal high street and recommend stuff to each other and flag up deals.

While they started in the fashion and beauty sectors, their presence is now a powerful force across multiple categories.

Sites such as Wanelo and Pinterest allow you to build collections of things you want, a virtual shopping wish list, if you like.

Similarly, places such as Luvocracy offer low level rewards for making recommendations, and others like Etsy and outgrow.me specialise in certain sectors (handmade and recently launched crowd funded projects).

There does however seem to be another way for the social shopping scene to make an even bigger impact.

It is a straightforward and very basic model that’s arrived in the UK and which pays you for making recommendations.

Newly launched haveyouseen.com works with over 3,000 retailers where you can make recommendations to others and – this being the very clever bit – by being an active member you gain points, the more points you amass meaning the more extensive your earnings can be.

Money can potentially be earned up to six levels away too, so when the people recommended go and re-recommend, your bank balance is still being boosted.

Getting paid for what you’re already doing is how they sell it, and why not?

Websites have been paying out affiliate fees for years now, and all that changes is that the consumer gets the cash.