It is hard to believe but Web 2.0 has been with us for almost 4 years. The phrase was coined about 2004 and although it sounds like a new version of the World Wide Web it was really used to describe the changing trends that were becoming more apparent at that time. Those trends were very much related to how Web design was adapting to the technology that allowed information sharing and collaboration.
The majority of users previously used the Web as a passive resource; a user would go online to find something and leave. Web 2.0 could be defined as the point when the Web was becoming more a two way process with users contributing and adding to the Web as whole. The Web is actively engaging the user.
Social networking sites such as Facebook, video sharing sites like YouTube, wikis, blogs and forums have grown with startlingly rapidity over the last few years. They are appealing to a growing number of users. The technology need for these applications has become more simplified and readily available.
We see the kids spending hours on the computer when they used to watch TV. Recent figures indicate there is a whole generation is growing up on line with teenagers spending 20 hours a week online! That is a good indication of the way things will go and likely that this trend will continue and spread to older users as well.
What does this mean for you and your business site? I would advise that you consider two important areas:
Links – We all know the value of incoming links for gaining a good PageRank from Google. Increasing the number and quality of incoming links over time is extremely valuable to your site. The increasing importance of lining and the process of increasing them should be part of your over all marketing/communications strategy. Links both incoming and outgoing will continue to be an important part of promoting your site and for users to find it.
We will be highlighting this with you over the coming months and are in the process of putting together a Link Building Help Sheet.
Blogs – I initially dreaded blogs when they first appeared but have certainly softened my view over the last few years. There is still a lot of blogs that are a complete waste of time, in fact the majority, but there are a number I read regularly and ,of course, have started this one on a limited basis. I would not recommend starting one without first reading and commenting on other blogs in order to get more of a feel for how you may develop your own.
There is no question which way the Web is moving; it is becoming more engaging, more interactive and that is where our own sites will need to follow to remain relevant.
