Web 2.0 and Beyond

This book takes managers on a tour of the new marketing techniques made possible by Web 2.0.`Web 2.0` has taken on buzzword status. It`s now shorthand for everything that is new, cutting-edge, and gaining momentum online. Web 2.0 can describe particular Web sites; cultural trends like social networking, blogging, or podcasting; or the underlying technology that makes today`s coolest Web applications possible.

Many Web 2.0 innovations were pioneered by behemoths like Google, Amazon, Apple, YouTube, and MySpace. But even the smallest, leanest companies can take advantage of the new trends, new and open-source programming tools, and new networks. This book will present a wealth of ideas for any business to quickly and affordably deploy Web 2.0 best practices to gain customers and maximize profits.Web 2.0 is a landscape in which users control their online experience and influence the experiences of others.

Business success on the Web, therefore, now comes from harnessing the power of social networks, computing networks, media and opinion networks, and advertising networks. Web 2.0 takes advantage of higher bandwidth and lighter-weight programming tools to create rich, engaging online experiences that compete with television and other offline activities. With examples and case studies from real businesses, this book demonstrates what makes a successful Web 2.0 company, regardless of its size or resources.

A non-technical guide, it is aimed squarely at the marketer or business manager who wants to understand recent developments in the online world, and to turn them into practical, competitive advantages.