Web 2.0 – Positive Vs Negative Effects

In all cases one-way communication always lacks efficiency. Due to many disadvantages of Web 1.0, Web 2.0 came into existence. The term Web 2.0 is usually associated with web applications that help in two-way communication. It is basically a user-centered design that is associated with terms such as interactive, collaborative, information/ knowledge sharing, etc. Earlier, only the advertisers, publishers and website owners were allowed to share their knowledge and information in the worldwide web. Today, it is more than just sharing knowledge and information. Web 2.0 gives the freedom to each and every individual to post their thoughts, views, philosophies, likes and dislikes. It is all about interaction, sharing and networking.


Web 2.0 websites include some of the following features:

• Information Search: Search engine helps in finding relevant information for the keywords entered. It includes website designing, website ranking in search engine, keyword research, etc.

• Links: Low-barrier social tool. It includes one-way linking, link exchange, etc.

• Authoring: This gives the right to create, publish and upload content, videos, audios of your own. It includes blogs, press releases, articles, newsletters, etc.

• Tags: These are one word descriptions of the entire content written by the owner.

• Extensions: It is software that makes web an application platform as well as a document server.

• Signals: It is the use of syndicate technology that informs users of content changes. RSS, Really Simple Syndication, is a tool from where you can get the latest updates of your area of interest.

Things that you can do in Web 2.0:

• Social Networking

• Content writing and submission

• Post blogs

• Post comments, reviews, etc.

• Information Search

• Slide share

• Social Bookmarking

• RSS feeds

• Online Gaming

• And many more

Now let’s discuss few of the pros and cons of Web 2.0

Pros:

• Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.

• Equal chance to all to post their views and comments.

• Increase the circle of friends and contacts through social networking.

• Latest update and content can be received if you are a RSS reader.

• Online promotion of businesses, products and services.

• Engaging the customers. Customers can write their views about the products and services.

Cons:

• Information overload. Too much information is daily posted by many people with different thought. This creates confusion for the readers and the quality of the content is not reliable.

• Freedom to post views and comments provides good opportunities for competitors and rivals to post negative comments about other companies.

• Too many fake ID’s and spammers.

• Forgeries and hackers commit crimes.

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING is one of the biggest and most significant results of Web 2.0. Websites like Facebook, Orkut, LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace, You Tube, etc are the top visited websites. It is because networking is one of the most essential needs in today’s world. Efficient networking is backed by internet. Thus, two-thirds of the total number of internet users visit social media websites daily. It has become an addiction to many. Again this brings many advantages and disadvantages along with it. Few of them are:

Advantages:

• Create a large and strong network.

• Increase in number of friends.

• More interaction leads to higher exchange of knowledge.

• Build strong relationships.

Disadvantages:

• People are highly dependent on internet to network.

• Wastage of time.

• High number of frauds and hackers.

People now-a-days are so addicted to update their Facebook and LinkedIn accounts that they do not realize the amount of time they are spending in such activities.

According to a survey, every individual working in an organization spends an average time of about 40 minutes daily on social media websites. This incurs loss to the organizations as their valuable and knowledgeable employees are busy chatting online with their friends. The organizations are taking the following steps to eliminate this problem:

• Organizations now-a-days block all social media websites.

• They encourage employees to indulge in activities organized within the company, where they can socialize and relax.

• An interesting work environment can help employees to concentrate more on their work.


- Brian Kingsley, Director of Technical Services, ACS Services, Boston