Social Media
What is Web 2.0 and Should I Care?
Apr 28th
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Everyone is talking about Web 2.0 but…
What is it?
How did it come about?
Where is it going?
It sounds like a software program or some highly technological aspect that is getting ready to make its debut does it not? Well, in actuality it is neither of these. Web 2.0 is nothing more than some tools and ideas working together to make the internet a more user friendly and easier world to maneuver. Think about all of the new ideas to come to the internet in the last few years.
This whole concept may include AJAX, social bookmarking, RSS feeds, tags, and blogs. Of course, this does not even begin to encompass the whole concept of web 2.0, but it does give you a relatively good idea. Each and every day, we use Web 2.0 as a whole. With all of the media, graphic intensive websites, and the ease of use, you are experiencing the technology with everything you do, without even knowing it.
There was a web 1.0, a long time ago in “internet years” that is. Really, think about the “old” internet and the “new” internet, which is known as web 2.0. What could you really do? With 1.0, websites were static, they were not attractive in terms of the latest in interactive and animated websites with 2.0. With Web 2.0, updates are as regular and necessary as the sun coming up each day, with 1.0 updates were extremely rare for websites of any nature. Now, let us compare some of the differences, to give you a better picture.
Comparing Web 1.0 with Web 2.0
With Web 1.0 if you really wanted to look something up, you had something similar to an online dictionary. You could look up a definition, but that was about the extent of it. With Web 2.0, you have the concept of Wikipedia, which provides you deep and intuitive information submitted directly by other users. This is so much more than just a simple definition, this is an entire history or background of virtually any topic.
With Web 1.0, you essentially had personal websites. They were not updated all that frequently and they essentially did not do a whole lot. With Web 2.0, blogging is the latest and greatest. Blogging is used as both a personal journal and for business purposes at the same time. Gaining more traffic and more interest than ever before.
With Web 1.0, many webmasters relied upon page views to determine traffic. Now with Web 2.0, cost per click or pay per click are doing the traffic work. Page views are no longer essential in understanding the amount of traffic your website receives. The amount you pay per click is now the best indicator.
Before, if you wanted the news, you had to go looking for it. RSS feeds now do that for you automatically and delivers it directly to you. Many websites have automatic RSS feeds that you can choose to receive and there are one stop type of shops that allow you to sign up for many different feeds at the same time, so you can avoid having to search for the news and headlines.
Tagging is also a Web 2.0 technology. Tags allow users to search for specific items and information that they are looking for. It really simplifies the internet for users everywhere. When a person makes a post on a blog or social bookmarking websites, they can identify tags. When a user searches for these tags, they will find the posts that relate to their search terms.
Essentially, Web 2.0 just makes the internet a more user friendly and easier place to work, play, shop, and research. Now that you know how Web 1.0 has evolved to Web 2.0, where is it going from here?
Seeking Web 3.0
No one can really predict the future of the internet. It is too impossible to tell, however, there are some standards and paths that can lead us in the right direction for predictions. There are so many possibilities for the future of the internet that it is extremely hard to predict. Many people are leaning towards artificial intelligence for the internet. They are also suggesting that computer graphics will become more advanced, web applications will become modular, and internet speeds will increase with web 3.0.
People expect that Web 3.0 will bring innovative ways to build applications. They will be smaller and have the ability to run on multiple devices. Then there is always those who believe that the entire internet will become three dimensional.
There are many different ideas on how Web 3.0 will develop from Web 2.0. It is anyone’s guess and as the internet continues to evolve, the Web of any “version” will become smarter, more interactive, and easier to use with each passing year. The growth of the internet since its birth has been enormous and there is still a lot of room for more growth and potential.
Social Media Connections Will Build Your Online Business
Sep 26th
Social media connections using tools like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, MyBlogLog and many other social media tools and services can help you to build your online business. Most of these social media tools are free to use and, they can drive traffic to your business.
Top Five Ways You Can Use Social Media to Drive Traffic to Your Website
Your social connections can translate to site popularity if you only know how to use them. Think about it: all those connections mean real people that can translate to several things for a website: members, readers, a paying market, a free means for promotions and marketing. If you own a website, you can take advantage of your connections through social media to drive traffic to your site. Here’s how:
#1 Offer High Value Content
If there’s one thing you have that will find high acceptance in the social media, it’s content. If you can produce good content; the kind that people actually read from the first word to the last, the kind that gets passed on from one person to the next and talked about, you’ll find a good audience waiting for you in social media.
High value content is highly sought after in social media networks and elsewhere on the internet. After all, content is what makes the internet interesting. If you want to drive traffic to your website using social media, be popular with its users by offering them something they can’t refuse.
#2 Make Content Usable
Aside from creating original and high value content, you also need to provide your target audience with a way to find it. Your content is more likely to be noticed and read if it’s organized and can be located quickly. Make sure your articles are easy to use and are optimized so anyone looking for topics related to your write-up will find them easily.
#3 Increase Your Presence
Were you a hit with one write-up? Did you cause a sensation with your previous submission, driving massive traffic to your website in the process? Don’t just stop there.
Consistently and frequently update your submissions to social media networks. You want to make sure that people remember you not for that one great write-up you produced but for being a reliable source of excellent content.
That way, each time you submit an article, it can ride on the buzz you have already created for yourself. Once you’re a recognizable name in social media, your target audience will gladly follow your link back to your website. They’ll even find you on their own.
#4 Promote Your Content and Your Website
Don’t be shy about promoting yourself. Each time you have a new write-up or significant changes in your website, inform your target audience through e-mail. Mention the same in your podcasts and other articles you might submit to a directory.
Make sure you let people know who you are and what you have to offer. However, make sure you don’t overdo it. Promoting your write-up or website too aggressively in social media networks might make you look too desperate.
People are also more likely to be suspicious of your intentions if you sell yourself too hard. You should share about yourself, give free information or offer help but no “hard selling” in the social networks. Just point visitors to your main websites and the products and services you have to offer.
#5 Encourage Interaction
Sure, people like the anonymity the internet provides but they can’t help but communicate with other people they find online. That’s why you should provide them with a means to use your website or write-up to air their views. Allow interaction such as comments, polls, surveys and feedback forms.
Using social media to drive traffic to a website is not exactly an easy task. In fact, it can often become labor intensive. However, if it’s done well, it can be a very effective and inexpensive method to increase awareness for a website. Try to explore what you can contribute to social media and take advantage of this great source for traffic.
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