What’s All This Web 2.0 Hype About – and What Can it Do for Your Business?

You’ve probably heard of popular sites like Myspace, Digg and YouTube.  But despite how different these sites are – they all have one major thing in common – they’re great examples of “Web 2.0″ at work.  But what exactly does “Web 2.0″ mean, and more importantly, how can you use the same tactics to “upgrade” your business?

Web 2.0 is a catch-all term that, at its core, simply means an upgrade or a new version.  While there isn’t technically a new version of the Internet, Web 2.0 sites put the focus more on user collaboration and sharing – rather than a more direct, less interactive “me-to-you” setup that the Internet was originally based on.

Web 2.0 sites and companies emphasize people using technology instead of technology using people.  For example, if you find a site whose content you enjoy reading (like this one!), you can “Digg it” and other people will see your recommendations.  If enough people “digg it” – that site becomes featured – and immensely popular in the process.

(As a side note, if you ever want to spread the word about iElectrify, just click the green Share This! Icon at the bottom of each blog post!)

Another benefit of the Web 2.0 “social movement” is that there are a greater number of traditionally offline activities (like typing a document on a word processor) being taken online. 

Online word processing then invites the user to collaborate with other team members, get comments and feedback almost instantly and make updates and additions in half the time it would have taken the “old fashioned” way of emailing the document and waiting for responses.

So how can you use Web 2.0 in your business? Here are a few examples and ideas:

•  Host an online focus group – Get feedback on a product or service from your customers before it launches.  Award the best suggestions with a free trial or free month of service. 

Remember, people enjoy seeing their feedback be put to proper use, and don’t mind sharing ways you can improve.  You might even get some ideas you never would have considered before!  To start your own business focus group, check out blogtronix.com

• Show them how it works – If you sell a product that can help the user do something, why not show them how it works? It’s easy to create and add your own YouTube video to your website.  See the Add Video to Your Website in 3 Easy Steps blog posting for more details.

Remember though, no matter how sleek and fresh these new Web 2.0 services are, there are still likely technical bugs and glitches to be worked out as they grow, expand and mature into solid applications. 

Above all, don’t rely completely on Web 2.0 to run your business – but rather use it to add a dose of interactivity that you wouldn’t ordinarily have – and watch what happens! 

Recommended Tools and Resources

• Add Audio to Your Website
• Wordpress Tutorials