| How many times have you heard the term "Web | | | | services noticed by as many people as possible |
| 2.0"? It's a frequently used term online, especially | | | | and Web 2.0 is all about people connecting with |
| in relation to online marketing, and although it | | | | people through social media sites (Exactly what |
| sounds a bit technical and even downright scary | | | | the Internet was intended for in the first place) |
| for those new to Internet Marketing, it really isn't | | | | Need I say More? - the two are a match made in |
| as daunting as it seems. I wanted to demystify | | | | heaven. |
| the term and here is my explanation. | | | | I know that Web 2.0 is not really a new concept |
| According to the font of all online knowledge, | | | | any more but the Web 2.0 environment is |
| Wikipedia, the official definition is summarised very | | | | constantly changing and evolving, there is simply |
| briefly as: | | | | so much to continue learning about social media |
| The term "Web 2.0" is commonly associated with | | | | marketing that finding some time to dedicate to it |
| web applications that facilitate interactive | | | | can be difficult. However, just an hour or 2 each |
| information sharing, interoperability, and | | | | day dedicated to learning about and managing |
| collaboration on the World Wide Web (Wikipedia | | | | your Social Networking sites will have an |
| Definition). | | | | extremely positive effect on your marketing |
| Basically this means that a Web 2.0 site allows its | | | | efforts. |
| users to interact with other users or to change | | | | Why succumb to all the internet hype surrounding |
| website content - in other words it's an | | | | social marketing. |
| Interactive Website (Whereas a non-interactive | | | | Well quite simply, it's a brilliant method for |
| website limits users to passive viewing of | | | | connecting with your market. In what other way |
| information that is provided to them). | | | | can your customers find you so cost effectively |
| Please indulge me here if you have some Internet | | | | and get to know, trust and respect you? Regular |
| experience and know what Web 2.0 is all about, | | | | updating and interaction on your websites will |
| but this article is really intended for the benefit of | | | | dramatically improve your Search Engine |
| those who are new to Internet marketing, | | | | Optimisation (SEO) and the regular use of portable |
| learning internet marketing and for those who | | | | files, like PDF's and video files, on your social |
| glibly use the term without really understanding | | | | networking sites will help your product's or |
| what it really means....you know who you are!! So, | | | | services visibility. Quite frankly, it's a win - win |
| please bear in mind that we all had to start from | | | | situation. |
| somewhere. | | | | In summary, Web 2.0 simply refers to a wide |
| Examples Of Web 2.0 | | | | range of Interactive Websites that allow you to |
| Examples of Web 2.0 include web-based | | | | share information and communicate more easily. |
| communities, hosted services, web applications, | | | | It's a fantastic way of connecting on a personal |
| social-networking sites, video-sharing sites, blogs, | | | | level with your market, improving your website |
| mashups (that last one might be the subject for a | | | | Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) which in turn |
| future article!!) In general, the term Web 2.0 is | | | | greatly enhances your online presence and the |
| associated as the "cover all" term for social | | | | visibility of your products or services. |
| networking sites (E.g. Twitter, YouTube, | | | | Used properly, Web 2.0 is a highly effective |
| Facebook, Stumbleupon, Digg, etc). | | | | method for getting your marketing message seen |
| Why is web 2.0 important in a marketing context? | | | | online. |
| Marketing is simply getting your products and | | | | |