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Embracing Web 2.0 Marketing

With the constant expansion and evolution of the web, new trends develop almost daily. The new buzz is all about Web 2.0, a concept that is quoted often, but doesn’t have a concrete definition. For those of us who dive into the internet in our daily lives, it’s something we can’t avoid, even if everyone explains it a little differently. For our purposes, Web 2.0 is the advancement of the web, the progression from single, isolated websites to a vast expansion of connected applications and services. Websites like Flickr, MySpace, Digg and LinkedIn embody the idea and fundamentals of Web 2.0 – they’re not just websites, but communities; networks of users collaborating for the end goal of improving and categorizing the endless amount of information on the web. We now have the opportunity to use the internet as a platform for connection, and the concept of Web 2.0 enables that. Keep in mind this isn’t limited to social-oriented websites, business and application based sites are just as affected, and they’re embracing the new changes for the potential they hold.

What is the potential? What makes Web 2.0 valuable to a small business? Or someone simply selling products or services online? The revolution of the web has allowed businesses to share equal ground. No longer do large corporations and retailers dominate the markets and search results – anyone with a computer, connection, knowledge and time can compete. The whole idea behind this is the fact that there are customers out there, money to be made; if you’re able to reach out to your target market and offer a product or service that’s valuable, the possibilities are endless. The only question that remains is how to implement a Web 2.0 marketing campaign.

This kind of campaign has a series of steps that if done correctly, can really give a business the ability to reach farther into their client base then even before. Here are some fundamentals when considering a Web 2.0 marketing campaign:

Business Blogs: No longer a subset of the internet, blogs are proving to be the most valuable resource when it comes to the new wave of internet marketing. Business blogs can be defined as those that center around a company or industry, rather than a personal diary or opinion. Blogs allow connection to social networking and social bookmarking sites beyond what a typical website can do. They also connect with a customer on a deeper level, build credibility in a business and are very much loved by the major search engines. When it comes to the core of a Web 2.0 marketing campaign, business blogs are a must-have.

Social Media: Think customers are only going to find you through a search engine? Think again. Social networking and social bookmarking sites have emerged as a powerful platform to advertise, and entrepreneurs who know how to use them are reaping the rewards. It’s important to remember that selling on these sites is not the best approach, you want to instead introduce your product or service and build a relationship before pushing the sale. Once you have them hooked though, the potential is a whole network of untapped consumers who are tech savvy and will have no qualms about spending their cash on your website. Social media can also greatly contribute to search engine marketing in a positive way, killing two birds with one stone.

These are just two of the main aspects of Web 2.0 marketing, but the most important when it comes to results. Using business blogs and social media advertising effectively requires time and patience, but utilized correctly they can quickly deliver faster, more effective results than traditional web marketing like search engine optimization and pay-per-click. To learn more about Web 2.0 marketing, visit this Microsoft Business Center article. For more information on how to implement one of these campaigns, and to find out if you’re ready to dive into Web 2.0 marketing, contact us today to speak with one of our Web 2.0 consultants for free.