Web 2.0 and a Small or Medium-sized Business Essay

Web 2.0 and a Small or Medium-sized Business - Essay Example 19). One of the major and most important advancements of technology is the internet which has significantly changed people’s lives and how they do business. Specifically, internet has facilitated the development of social media and related developments under the banner â€Å"Web 2.0† which has been central to business operations in the recent times. Web 2.0 refers to the concept that uses internet network (World Wide Web) as a platform for sharing information, collaboration, user-centered design, and interoperability among individuals and companies (Lincoln, 2009, p. 11). Web 2.0 platforms give users the opportunity to collaborate as well as interact with one another as creators and users of content that is user-generated. This technology is revolutionary in the sense that it allows collaboration and interaction among users in a virtual community unlike other websites that limit consumers to passive viewing of the contents that have already been created for them (Elliot t, 2004, p. 27). Web 2.0 platforms include social networking sites, web applications, blogs, hosted services, and video sharing sites among others. The fact that social media has grown exponentially over the years means that no business can ignore it, as it is very critical to the success and performance of businesses (Shah, 2010, p. 16). This paper will discuss the potential of social media and related developments under the banner â€Å"Web 2.0† for helping a medium-sized business (Proxar IT Consulting) to communicate with customers and to share knowledge between its staff. Web 2.0 technologies use internet network (World Wide Web) as a platform for sharing information, collaboration, user-centered design, and interoperability among individuals and companies. Several studies have shown that Web 2.0 has a wide range of generic business benefits that emanates from the adoption of developments in web services, software as a service, and interpersonal computing (Nair, 2011, p. 46). The first generic benefit is that Web 2.0 can help a business improve its ranking particularly in the search result and therefore extend its presence onto other sites. This is important to any business in the sense that it builds high quality links to the company and therefore increases the exposure of the business (Chaney, 2009, p. 35). However, for this to be more efficient, the content should be made relevant to staff and existing and potential customers. The second generic benefit is that it helps in the brand management of the business and helps them to protect their reputation. Proactive use of Web 2.0 can remarkably help to build and find relationships with customers, as well as improve relationship between employees (Lincoln, 2009, p. 19). In addition, Web 2.0 is beneficial to businesses because it enhances relationships between the business, its partners, customers, and staff. Through social media, customers, employees, investors, and partners find the platform to inte ract and collaborate (Lee, 2010, p. 114). Another generic business benefit of Web 2.0 is brand awareness; it presents businesses with incredible opportunity to generate content that brands the company in good light and therefore generate brand awareness to the targeted audience (Elliott, 2004, p. 44). Social media has proved to be fundamental in building consistent presence and therefore enhances brand awareness for any business that uses it. More importantly, Web 2.0 technolog