An Africa Business Community

What the evolving web means for your business!

This just in from Forresters Research Inc. It's becoming very important for a business to understand the evolving web. It's all about staying relevant. If you had a store in a shopping centre, but the community began shopping in a shinny new mall a few kilometers away, it would be wise to think of relocating or you may find yourself out of business!

Here is a breakdown of the different eras as descibed in the Forresters report.

The era of social relationships: Beginning in the mid-1990s, people signed up for online profiles and connected with their friends to share information.

The era of social functionality: As it exists today, social networking is more than just a platform for "friending," but one that can support a broader array of "social interactive applications." However, identities are essentially disconnected silos within individual sites.

The era of social colonization: By late 2009, technologies such as OpenID and Facebook Connect will begin to break down the barriers of social networks and allow individuals to integrate their social connections as part of their online experience, blurring the lines between networks and traditional sites.

The era of social context: In 2010, sites will begin to recognize personal identities and social relationships to deliver customized online experiences. Social networks will become the "base of operation for everyone's online experiences."

The era of social commerce: In approximately two years, social networks will be more powerful than corporate Web sites and CRM systems, as individual identities and relationships are built on this platform. Brands will serve community interests and grow based on community advocacy as users continue to drive innovation in this direction.

Next I will post what you can do to keep up.