So in previous posts, we talked about what the Web 2.0 is (collaboration between people and companies and clients to create a better result) and isn’t (a technology or specific tool). We’ve looked at tools that people have used to implement them, such as blogs, RSS feeds, and wikis.

I’ve not looked at tools like FaceBook, Flickr, or other sites and services which can allow people to access existing social networks. How you use these are similar but different to your own

There are only two questions now:

1. How can I (or my business) use the Web 2.0?
2. And how difficult are they to use?

I’ll answer the second one now. And the answer is actually not very, once they are set up. If you are not a technical person, I’d recommend contacting someone, like myself, who has set up sites and these very aspects of a site. I will even train you on how to use the new aspects of your site.

The first question, how can I (or my business) use the Web 2.0, requires a little more explanation. As each business is unique, how you can, and choose to, use the different Web 2.0 features is up to you. Here is how some of my recent clients have used web 2.0 features in their sites, this year alone:

• One is using a customized blog to deliver industry and site related news to their viewers.
• Another is using a blog to list contests/projects and show the works.
• And yet another is looking to use a wiki to help slow the loss of information as their employees reach retirement age soon by documenting and updating processes and product information.

So the whole idea is to improve communication and interaction with those who would use your site and your products. The more you can provide useful information to your customers, the better your position will be.

If your not sure what can be done on your site, contact me, and I will be glad to assist you.

I recently posted an article about why it doesn’t matter if you are a geek when it comes to putting things on the web. Most people wouldn’t know what to do with some of the technology that a “geek” thinks of and uses anyway.

Case in point: Robert Scoble recently posted an article about “Hanging out with the other 99%“. At a recent block party he spent his time trying to explain to people what he did. Most didn’t know about blogs, video on the internet, facebook, Linked In, or any of a number of other Internet technologies.

While some people, don’t think twice about using these tools and social networks, in other cases, there are people who know nothing about them.

To my fellow web designers and developers: Keep this in mind. If your clients don’t know what you are talking about, it isn’t going to help them.

To my clients (both current and future): If you don’t know - ask! Sometimes these technologies and services can help you - other times they cannot. You are paying people like myself to help your company become better by leveraging the technology available - but we can only do that if its right for you. And not all technology is right for you. If your web person/company can’t/won’t explain the new technologies to see if they are right for you - contact walt design. We can help.