POWERFUL WEB 2.0 TOOLS FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS

MGT 304: Advanced Business CommunicationsAlabama State UniversityApril 13, 2023

Shawndra T. Bowers

Technologist,

Infinite Learning Solutions, LLC

P.O. Box 20874

Montgomery, Alabama 36120

334.799.3549

info@infinitelearner.com

www.infinitelearner.com

Introduction

The Internet is a vital tool for any modern business.

Customers today search online for everything from their local plumber to a global brand.

New technology and faster connection speeds mean more customers and businesses are connected than ever before.

Dynamic, user-generated content or “social media,” is changing the way that businesses now build customer relationships online.

How the web is changing

The Internet of the 1990s mainly consisted of static, information-based content, with a clear separation between the content provider and end user.

Now users can easily access the web at home, in the office or even on their mobile devices.

Newer websites often encourage their end users to interact with the content they access and produce their own web content in response.

What is Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 does not refer to a particular technology but to a general trend. There is no checklist to decide what Web 2.0 is and whether you can apply it to your business, but there are several features that tend to distinguish it.

Common to all of these is the ability for users to add and edit content - contributing online using different types of technology and interactive media, and creating more personalized web experiences.

Web 2.0 is far more about creating a community around your brand and conversing online with your customers - a 'web culture' that means greater interaction between you and your customer.

What is Web 2.0?

It may be helpful to consider integrating some of the following into your website:

User-generated content - this is the ability for your customers to interact with your business online by…

• posting information • comments• product ratings and reviews

This adds real value for other customers and provides you with customer insight and content that is unique to your website.

Business blogs are an example of how you can communicate directly with your customers, canvass opinion, and advertise new products or services.

http://blogs.office.com/

It may be helpful to consider integrating some of the following into your website:

Collaboration - nearly all Web 2.0 applications center around some community aspect where users can share experiences and knowledge.

Increasingly the web is being used for “open innovation” or e-collaboration, where organizations are opening up areas of their business to the online community. In doing so, business is using the online resources and expertise available to solve problems or create innovative products or services.

What is Web 2.0?

It may be helpful to consider integrating some of the following into your website:

Online networking and social media - the ability for people to find others with similar interests and express themselves to a community of like-minded people - for example, social sites like

• Facebook• Twitter

Business networking sites such as LinkedIn can also be used to develop professional networks, to enhance career or recruitment options or simply to keep in touch with former colleagues and contacts.

http://www.facebook.com/SMARTClassrooms

What is Web 2.0?

How Web 2.0 can be used for business

Think about what your customers are looking for when they visit your website:

• Could they benefit from product reviews or advice from previous customers?

• What can you offer beyond simply selling products or providing information?

How Web 2.0 can be used for business

Build an online community

Think about how you can use Web 2.0 tools to enhance your relationship with your customers and build a community around your brand. For example, if your business sells tools and hardware, you might consider posting video tutorials showing how to carry out common DIY jobs. You could also have an online forum to let other users of your site share their own advice and tips.

This would encourage people to return to your site after making a purchase and should also attract new visitors. The more visitors you have, the more likely you are to sell. So, even if you can't see an immediate benefit, improving your customers' web experience will help your business in the long term.

How Web 2.0 can be used for business

Improve your brand's image

Is your business or industry relevant only to the local area you operate in? Perhaps you already have a good local reputation and don't see the need to build a website. However, there are always potential new customers in your marketplace and a good website can be an effective way to minimize your advertising spend and extend your reach.

User-generated content can put your business on display for a worldwide audience. For example, if you run a local bakery, you may not deliver worldwide, but if you add your recipes to your website and let people from New York to New Delhi post comments on them, this will improve perception of your brand. With a website that acts as a permanent online advertisement, you may not need to use other marketing methods to attract customers.

Survey

How Web 2.0 can be used for business

Many Web 2.0 tools can be added to your site at little or no cost.

But you will need to allocate time and resources to monitor user content, to reply to customers and to keep your website up to date.

Social Media and the Workplace

The future of the web

How will the internet change in the future and how will these changes affect business?

Below are three technologies of the third generation of the internet - or 'Web 3.0‘ - that may help shape the internet of the future:

• The Mobile Web• Cloud Computing• Virtual Worlds• Augmented Reality (AR)

https://www.wellsfargo.com/ vs.

https://m.wellsfargo.com/

http://secondlife.com/

POPULAR WEB 2.0 TOOLSPOPULAR WEB 2.0 TOOLS

Worth exploring…

Business Profiles

Manta is the world's largest online community for promoting and connecting small business.

With more than one million registered users and 64 million company profiles, business owners and professionals use

Manta to promote and differentiate their offerings and "be found" online by customers and prospects. http://www.manta.com/c/mtplmzq/infinite-learning-solutions

Business Profiles

Google Places makes you business listing available through Google Web Search, Google Maps, Mobile search, 1-800-GOOG-411 voice directory search, and Google Earth.

Places Page

Planning and Collaboration

Google Apps offers simple, powerful communication and collaboration tools for you small business – all hosted by Google to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs.

Google Apps suite includes: Gmail Google Calendar Google Docs Google Cloud Connect Google Sites

http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/group/index.html

Social Networking

LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site.

LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals.

LinkedIn has more than 100 million registered users, spanning more than 200 countries worldwide.

http://www.linkedin.com/company/1337

Social Networking

How To Start Marketing on

Facebook

1. Setup your page

2. Invite your friends

3. Customize your page

4. Convert your existing customers to friends

5. Advertise

www.facebook.com/.../Infinite-Learning-Solutions/126408884065397

Communication

Skype is a Voice Over IP (VoIP) service that uses your Internet connection to make phone calls - both voice and video – as well as instant message.

Other options:

Google HangoutOovoo

Communication

Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that allows you answer the question, "What are you doing?" by sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called "tweets", to your friends, or "followers."

http://twitter.com/#!/infinitelearner

The short format of the tweet is a defining characteristic of the service, allowing informal collaboration and quick information sharing.

Communication

Did you know that YouTube is the number 2 search engine on the Web in terms of query volume.

YouTube is free, easy to use, and holds mass appeal, making it the perfect marketing channel for small businesses.

http://mashable.com/2010/04/23/youtube-small-business/

Communication

Poll Everywhere replaces expensive proprietary audience response hardware with standard web technology. It's the easiest way to gather live responses in any venue: conferences, presentations, classrooms, radio, tv, print — anywhere by letting people communicate via text messaging, web, or Twitter.

http://www.polleverywhere.com

Communication

Quick Response (QR Codes) are two-dimensional codes (similar to barcodes) that can hold more information. When you scan a QR code, it can link you to the web, activate functions, such as email or instant message, or provide you with digital content.

http://goqr.me/

Additional Resources

The Rise of the Networked Enterprise: Web2.0 Finds Its Payday: http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Organization/Strategic_Organization/The_rise_of_the_networked_enterprise_Web_20_finds_its_payday_2716

Putting Web 2.0 To Work: http://www.bnet.com/feature/putting-web-20-to-work/188729?tag=drawer;toc-drawer

The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Web 2.0: Top 25 Apps to Grow your Business: http://www.avivadirectory.com/entrepreneur-apps/

Web 2.0 Tools for Getting Noticed: http://www.entrepreneur.com/technology/managingtechnology/web20columnistfrankbell/article181082.html

SmallBiz Technology – Social Media: http://smallbiztechnology.com/category/social-media/

Mashable – Business & Marketing: http://mashable.com/business/

Go2Web20: http://www.go2web20.net/

Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything by Don Tapscott and Anthony Williams