Overview on Networking Websites

With the advent of internet definition of communication is changed, its not only verbal or written now, it has other dimensions also. The other dimensions are sharing of photos, videos and thoughts. “Networking Websites” are those websites which helps you in communicating to other person(s). These sites provide one a mean either of direct messaging or by making communities or by giving you a mean to share/access multimedia contents. A social network service focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.

Social networking has created powerful new ways to communicate and share information. Social networking websites are being used regularly by millions of people, and it now seems that social networking will be an enduring part of everyday life.

The main types of social networking services are those which contain directories of some categories (such as former classmates), means to connect with friends (usually with self-description pages).

Features Included by Various Sites

In order to gain market different companies concentrated on various ways to acquire the users. Some sites support the maintenance of pre-existing social networks, some help strangers to connect based on shared interests, political views, or activities. Some sites cater to diverse audiences, while others attract people based on common language or shared racial, sexual, religious, or nationality-based identities. Sites also vary in the extent to which they incorporate new information and communication tools, such as mobile connectivity, blogging, and photo/video-sharing.

How to Attain Sustainable Growth

Firstly, the users must regularly be feeded with something new – something to do. Ok I had created my profile, added few friends than what. If you have the answer for this, than you can assure yourself for growth.

Secondly, even if you had opened a networking website some privacy, maybe optional, should be present. Not everyone like there information is tracked by anyone. Privacy should be maintained not only at person level but also at group and community level.

Thirdly, the technology used should be able to sustain the pressure of growing no. of subscribers. If your site goes slow or starts malfunctioning with growth, than as promised of SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) you have to put in more investment than what you have expected.

Fourthly, dealing with fake profiles, objectionable groups or things that users may not like. Such things need to be dealt with care, blindly deleting is not a solution. For example one might had created a fake profile, or might be using celebrity photo for fun. Deleting such a profile will made user to believe that organization is not caring about user’s interest. Also, letting an objectionable community to grow would also make user to feel bad. The possible solution is to take feedback from users and than accordingly take the necessary action.

Fifthly, keep tracking what user wants, how people grow there network. May be by giving them links of communities related to there interest, etc. There may be several parameters on which growth of network may depend, discussing all of them is out of scope of this paper.

List of Few Networking Websites

The following is list of few networking sites, the ranking is given when compared with all other sites (source: alexa.com). Ranking is based on no. of times a website is viewed.

1.) Yahoo! -> Rank One
Personalized content and search options. Chatrooms, free e-mail, clubs, and pager.

2.) YouTube -> Rank Three
YouTube is a way to get your videos to the people who matter to you. Upload, tag and share your videos worldwide!

3.) Facebook -> Rank Five
A social utility that connects people, to keep up with friends, upload photos, share links and videos.

4.) Microsoft Network (MSN) -> Rank 6
Dialup access and content provider.

5.) Myspace -> Rank 7
Social Networking Site.

6.) Blogger.com -> Rank 9

7.) RapidShare -> Rank 12
Users can upload up to 100 meg files for sharing.

8.) Hi5 -> Rank 16
One of the world's largest social networks

9.) EBay -> Rank 18
International person to person auction site, with products sorted into categories.

10.) Orkut.com.br -> Rank 19

Concluding Note

Yes you got it right ten out of twenty most popular websites are networking websites. Hence if started with in-depth vision these websites promise a growth with splendid colours.

Sources

- http://www.alexa.com/
- http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html
- http://www.inc.com/magazine/20070601/features-how-to-kill-a-great-idea.html