Social Networking

Social Networking

My first introduction to social networking sites were the chat room features on AOL Online services. This was a much downgraded form of what today's social networking sites are. The sites were merely chat rooms. Simple interfaces with a text box for communication. With the advancement of computers, Social networking sites have become a major phenomenon. These websites generate traffic in the millions. This traffic has caught the interest of major companies hoping to generate revenue from the websites audience. This has become a huge tool in the E-Commerce world; Social Profile pages traditionally were to connect users with other members of the site. But these sites have become huge tools for advertisement campaigns. Part from the traffic that is generated, customization features allow users to turn their profile pages into professional websites built to their liking. This eliminates contracting web page developers in the end the saving money. Facebook has reaped the benefits of companies wanting to tap into their traffic generation. The business ventures of Mark Zuckerberg have placed him in the financial bracket of billionaires. I see no short falls in the aspects of using social networking with ecommerce. One it's relatively free, plus the user customization tool makes advertising to an audience very simple. The many aspects of communication have become ever more fluent. Companies could broadcast their latest services and products, conduct research analysis of potential buyers based on friend request or traffic generated to their profile page. The merging of social networking sites with E-commerce seems to be a natural selection. The features built within these sites mimic functions of ERP applications. As general population increase their interest into these network sites the merger between ecommerce and social networking will increase

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