Be aware that many websites that offer shopping sweepstakes entries and prizes will expect the contestant to test one of their products and complete a customer survey. These products can range from food samples to exercise equipment and the information you provide to the company will help them improve on their product, or make adjustments to marketing strategies prior to making the product available for sale. As compensation for your service in providing opinions on the company products, you will be given a shopping oriented sweepstakes entry form, from which you may win any of the prizes listed on the website.

In any authentic shopping sweepstakes, there will never be any requirement to make a purchase. In fact, it is illegal, under federal law, to require a purchase for any sweepstakes entry. But, it is also the intention of the sweepstakes promoter to increase their online and mail order mailing lists through sweepstakes entry contestants, so they must ask if they have permission from you to forward additional offers for product testing and coupons. You have the right to instruct the company not to forward any additional mailings to you. If the hosting company does not clearly display this option, choose a different site, as the one you are on may be conducting illegal activities through use of personal information obtained on the entry forms.

Most those kind of sweepstakes sites are legitimate, and can provide their winners with impressive prizes and gifts for their services, while exposing their products to new consumers. There are many people who nearly make a living on sweepstakes entries and winnings, and are dedicated to entering every shopping sweepstakes they come across. With the vast numbers of prizes available, the excitement of the sweepstakes entry is providing a great advantage to many companies whose products are gaining popularity and exposure through the sweepstakes site.

In most cases, consumers who try a product through a sweepstakes entry site will end up purchasing it in the future, increasing the overall sales of the hosting company. As illustrated, shopping sweepstakes entry websites are a powerful tool in marketing as well as research and development of their new products.