What is web 2.0?
The term “Web 2.0” suggests that there was something at an earlier time called “Web 1.0.” In fact, there wasn’t. There was simply the Internet, or the “World Wide Web,” which started modestly, and grew like Topsy.
“Web 2.0” is a name coined several years ago by a gentleman called Tim O’Reilly. He used it to label the raft of changes that were occurring in the design of websites, and the many new platforms, technologies and social interactions that were springing up on
the web in quick succession.
Here are just a few examples:
1. Suddenly websites weren’t showing only text and still images – but also more complex media.
2. Web pages were originally packed to the gunnels with text, ads and such, and were mostly left-aligned. With Web 2.0, it became popular to center them in the browser, use larger fonts and leave more space on the page, for much more user friendliness.
3. Websites became interactive with the visitor in a variety of ways.
4. Pages were no longer organized only with links to other pages and sites, but also according to elements like tags.
5. The users of web pages didn’t just read and run – they stayed and gave feedback.
6. Some web sites allowed users to edit them (a concept known as a wiki).
7. Blogs began to grow dramatically in numbers, to where they now attract more visitors than full websites.
Whether this adds up to a “second coming” of the web is really a matter of opinion. But whichever side you’re on, “Web 2.0” is the term used nowadays to describe all these radical changes that are happening on the world wide web – and the next generation of sites which adopt them.
We won’t go into the technicalities too deeply here. Remember, our main purpose is to look at Web 2.0 from the viewpoint of the big sales and marketing advantages it givesus. Especially while the fuddy-duddies are still soldiering on with… what the heck, let’s call it Web 1.0!
The web as a platform
Web 2.0 doesn’t use websites just as places for printless copy. Instead, it sees the web as a computing platform in itself. A platform that allows complex applications to be developed, to the point where they can end up replacing the old-style desktop programs. Some of these applications have already been developed.
A Web 2.0 site is no longer a simple page, like those of a book. Instead, it’s a gateway to a special kind of fast-response world – regardless of whether that world is your company’s website, a community site, a product you sell, or a service you provide. Here are some typical Web 2.0 innovations.
For example, would you like to:
1. Start your business website with a 30 second video of yourself? Piece of cake!
2. Have a blog as your main website? Done deal!
3. Get rapid responses to your ideas, have your stories and articles voted on? Easy-peezey!
4. Conjure up a stampede of visitors? No problem!!
The main focus with these sites (from a marketing perspective) is to build trust with your potential costumers before you send them to your sells page. Make sure to interact and be social, give them what they want and they will follow you to where ever you direct them
So, where do you find these Web 2.0 sites?
I suggest you go take a look at these first: squidoo.com, facebook,com and myspace.com.
If you want more, just google for web 2.0 directories and you will get a ton of sites to chose from!
shahspot 
Posted on March 19, 2011
0