Social Networking Sites & Businesses

In the past social networking would have been carried out in person in schools, universities, in places of work and on nights out in pubs and clubs but in resent years I think there is more and more social networking carried out online. When it comes to online social networking, social networking websites are commonly used which function like an online community of internet users who wish to share information. This is because there are millions of people all over the world who use the internet to meet other people, share information and experience on a variety of topics from clothes to sport.
Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, or politics.
Also with the current economic situation the internet is the easiest and cheapest form of communication to stay in touch with friends and family who move abroad to look for work. The quality of internet and broadband in Ireland has greatly improved and people of all ages are finding it easier to access social networking sites. The social networking sites used by friends and family to stay in touch would be general for example bebo and facebook allowing you to share information such as pictures, chat online etc.
I think businesses have realised and I think more businesses will realise in the future that social networking websites are a great form of communication, it allows diversity because the internet gives individuals from all around the world access to these websites. So from anywhere in the world you can share or access information on topics you are interested in or you are working on. It can group specific individuals and organisations together. Some websites have a main focus on particular interests or hobbies and others are more business related that share common interests and goals. More and more businesses will use social networking websites as time goes on, they are rapidly growing. Businesses can use it instead of spending time and a lot of money advertising in the media; social networking websites are a cheap form of advertising and very effective. It can offer many other great benefits to businesses of any size. It allows you to increase the circle of people you can influence to buy your product/service. Social Networking allows businesses to build a personal relationship with with people and because of the one to one communicating the business gets familiar with the needs and requirements of its customers. Helping them out with their queries and doubts and thus build a relationship of trust where the person considers you an expert in such matters. They will in turn take this awareness with them and communicate it to their friends and social circle who in turn may contact you for your professional inputs. Forums are a good way to meet more people, as you would always find people in forums who have problems that may just be up your street to solve.
Once it is established that there are certain areas where you have an in depth knowledge that can be of use to many people, you would have made a reputation for your self online, and probably lead to people recognizing you and your business as a reliable brand. You would have done this without any advertising and also gained a reputation for knowledge and reliability.
Once you have been in contact with a number of interested people you can use this to your advantage and give them information about your product and services either by email or by directing them to your website which would have all the details of your business and what it offers. This way the cost of your marketing is low, almost zero, and limited to the cost of you’re keeping your websites constantly updated. Social networking is a tool that most businesses should use. The advantages and great and the relationships that you build can enhance your reputation and allow you to market your products at a very low cost. I think social networking sites are an excellent idea, I think more and more businesses will be using them in the future as they are a simple way of communicating with the public and they are very effective. I think it will boost businesses once they remain a little personnel, communicating one on one via social networking sites.

However, like with everything in life there are disadvantages as well as advantages associated with social networking sites. Social networking sites are a very effective business tool once they are managed correctly. Businesses should weigh up there options and decide on whether or not they think it is a good tool for their business.

Below is a link to a video on how easy social networking sites are to use “Social Networking in Plain English”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc