|
|
 |
 |
|
| The complex world of social media |
|
| Aug 07, 2009 Published in the medium 2.0
|
| Keywords: design, engagement, social media, user friendly
|
|
|
 Creating a social networking site
The present technology has made creating a social networking site or an open source site very easy. There are no barriers to entry—the software is free in most cases, user friendly and easy to design. A good idea, some homework and an attractive site is ready. With people of all ages and types spending hours on the internet constantly increasing, a well-defined, well-planned social media has it easier than its print counterpart. With most of them being on the lookout for something that interests them, getting initial visitors is also not difficult. But these people usually come with well-defined expectations, ready to plunge into action.
Holding the users’ interest
If the offerings of the site are either not clearly visible to the visitor or match up to what has been projected, the visitor will leave without much ado. Even if the two criteria are met, the technology, the layout and the design of the site and the user friendliness of the platform have to be better than the best to retain visitors in the clutter of internet. There is no place for “me too” and "good" products on the internet. Even if a social media site meets all the above, it has to have enough opportunities for engagement for the user to ensure that the user spends enough time or can pick and choose ways of engagements. Most people are members of at least 4-7 networks that offer myriad opportunities of engagement.
Innovating now and again
Remember, if a user likes something today, the network cannot sit on its laurel but has to constantly think of new offerings, for the user has low attention span and gets easily bored. He also wants instant gratification. There is a need for regular introduction of new offerings which address these three requirements. The network should also realise that the lifespan of a product on the internet is very short. So what is hot today is archaic tomorrow. In 2000, people were thrilled to contribute researched matter to wikipedia and were grateful to anonymously contribute several thousand words of information. If something offered by them was removed or change, they tried doubly hard.
Then came the chance to blog where the matter, the topic and the style of writing was of their choice and they got recognition and feedback. Soon, social networking sites sprung up, where people could air views, opinions, write short or long point of views and of course, make friends. Then came sites like twitter where people were limited to 140 characters and gratification in the form of fans. They loved it. Question is what is next? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| 0 comment(s) |
 |
| |
No comments found for this post |
|
|
|
| Post Comment |
|
|
|
|
|
|