There are many different types of sites people visit on the internet. Some people use the internet to keep in touch with friends and family from long distances using social networks and instant messengers whereas as others use it as a shopping tool to buy items for less.

Similar to coupon sites, many people visit web sites which offer free stuff. These websites are updated daily and provide links to free stuff offers. Although this seems too good to be true, there are a few popular sites which offer this legitimate service. However, the question remains, why would companies give away products at no cost?

The answer is that it is a marketing method which aims to increase brand awareness and customer base in the long term. By offering products for free, companies rely on word-of-mouth marketing for a viral effect so that the word spreads and millions of people go to their site.

Interestingly enough, it is not only the large multi-national companies which use this method. Smaller companies also use this technique because it is cost effective and works quickly. Instead of paying millions of dollars for a prime-time 3 minute ad that people may not watch, they would much rather give people their product for free who will then use it and possibly tell their friends. The cost of this is much less (the cost of a razor?) and has much more lasting effects plus the chance of it spreading far and wide.