Web 2.0 is the second generation of the Internet.

Web 2.0 is transforming the Internet into an even more powerful tool for businesses seeking to leverage technology to drive revenue, increase profits and reduce expenses.

Virtually all businesses will be spending their marketing dollars online in the New Year. In fact, BtoB Magazine found that 79 percent of marketers plan to increase their online marketing budgets for 2009. In doing so, businesses will need trusted and experienced individuals, such as SMI Digital behind them in order to fully capitalise on the following top five hot Web 2.0 trends:

1. Interactive web sites
   In order to effectively compete and meet the growing demands of today's more sophisticated customer, businesses are fanatically seeking to upgrade their web sites with features that enhance the user experience and deliver a measurable ROI from their marketing dollars. Businesses will focus on shifting their web sites from isolated, static information based destinations to highly functional platforms serving powerful web applications to end users that emphasise online collaboration, sharing, interaction and learning.
   
2. Managed Email Marketing
   With email marketing delivering a $51.45 return on investment (ROI) for every marketing dollar spent, according to the Direct Marketing Association, businesses will continue to shift greater portions of their direct mail budgets to email marketing. More email marketing campaigns in 2009 will focus on highly targeted offerings, links to rich media content and social networking.
   
3. Social Networking
   As online interaction becomes more and more prevalent in society; consumers are turning to online ratings and reviews, testimonials and blogs to educate themselves on products, services and much more. comScore recently found that more than three-quarters of review users in nearly every industry category reported that the review had a significant influence on their purchase. Businesses need to have social networking interaction features such as customer reviews, testimonials and blogs implemented into their web sites for 2009 to meet the growing needs of their customers.
   
4. Video
   Whether businesses plan on implementing video to run ad's, product demonstrations and reviews or as email links, the main point is that they will be using video in 2009 more than they ever have. In fact, 86% of online retailers used some form of video during the shopping experience in 2007, up from 52% in the previous year. While potentially enhancing the user experience, video can also annoy and frustrate visitors. Businesses that use videos incorrectly on their websites can cause pages to load slowly, crash browsers and lose customers and dollars.
   
5. RSS Feeds
   RSS is heading closer towards mainstream adoption as more businesses begin to implement RSS feed subscriptions via their web sites. For 2009 the pace of RSS growth is set to accelerate for both consumer usage and business implementation. RSS is geared around segmentation, therefore, failing to offer subscribers options with their subscription or sending them information they didn't sign up to receive will quickly lead businesses to RSS failure.

As with all technology, the web moves fast. If you are only just catching up with Web 2.0, then Web 3.0 is only just around the corner. You need to compete hard and be a leader to win in business. Digital marketing is no longer an option for most businesses...it is a must have; must do.

Need professional help?
As web sites and Internet marketing become more complex, a growing number of businesses are discovering the value of outsourcing the implementation and management of their Web 2.0 and Digital Marketing initiatives to trusted service providers that employ a staff of people with a full range of competencies. Call us! on +618 9364 8555 or enquire now. Click Here