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Living Social offers users a better way to learn about their community and support the small businesses that operate within it. The site compiles lists of business information that allows users to see lesser known places they may not have been aware existed near them. The site also works out special rates and deals and presents them to users. This not only helps the user save money, but also encourages them to visit local businesses through daily deals. Living Social also includes many other handy tools that can help the user find the places they plan to visit.

Living Social was founded by President Eddie Frederick, CIO Val Aleksenko and CTO Aaron Batalion. From the beginning, the site was intended to do three things. The first was to help consumers learn more about what is available in their neighborhood and how to find those places they want to see. The second was to encourage the support of local businesses through special offers and deals. Finally, the third goal was to encourage more social lifestyles by giving users a new excuse to get out and see their community! In April 2011, Living Social raised $400 million from Amazon, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and other investors like T. Rowe Price and Institutional Venture Partners. Later that month it acquired SocialMedia, a digital advertising company.

Living Social incorporates a number of different elements to give users a full spectrum of resources. There are business profiles so that users can learn more about an entertainment venue, restaurant, or shop before they visit. Among other information, the site also incorporates Google Maps into the profile so users can quickly find out where the business is located and how long it takes to get there. Living Social also works out special deals for its users to encourage a visit to the businesses featured while giving the user a way to save money.

The Living Social website offers a very lighthearted, fun appearance. With the backdrop of a local scene, which changes from anything to a sprawling street of cozy buildings to a picturesque water side cafe, the site may at first seem a bit busy. It is intended for entertainment and socializing, after all. Users will quickly adapt to the colorful background and can get right down to business searching for the daily deal and learning about local venues.

Living Social keeps the registration process short and sweet. New users can find the email address field waiting at the top of the page within the header. After entering a valid email address and selecting a city from the drop down box, users can click the blue “sign up” button to the right. After submitting an email address, the user can begin searching for deals and browsing the site to learn more about their community.

The price of Living Social really depends on the user. It costs nothing to create an account and browse the site. Users can return to seek out the current daily deal and new information about local businesses. However, to take advantage of special deals offered on the site, users will have to pay for the privilege. The rates are deeply discounted from the full retail price of each service or item. Users can spend as much or as little as they like!

To sum it up, anyone who loves to live social can appreciate what the site offers. By providing a daily discount, Living Social allows users to explore their community without paying full price. All that money saved could go towards even more outings. The discounts could also make a night out possible in households with a tight budget. In the meantime, Living Social is also encouraging the growth of local businesses by giving consumers a reason to try them out.

• Check out location through embedded Google Maps
• View a snapshot of the discount and total savings before buying a deal
• Browse content tailored to their local area
• Easily and quickly sign up using only an email address
• Connect through Facebook

LivingSocial video

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