Web how much? Trying to find a definition and description of what Web 2.0 is and what it’s not is more difficult than cracking the code to the grail. After spending far too much time googling and wikkying, we can say with confidence that it’s said Web Two Point Zero. It seems that there exists no one answer to what it is and how best to use it. QuickOnline – specialists in making online easy, simplifies it and provides top tips on how best to incorporate it into private sites.

 

Content on traditional web pages such as copy and images, would be hand written into HTML files which would be wrapped in tags. This would then render the content onto a page viewable in a browser. Revolutionary as they were at the time, we refer to these Web 1.0 web sites as brochureware content would rarely change. It was far too labour intense to keep sites updated.

Web 2.0 changes that with advances in technology such as styling pages and powerful databases. In short Web 2.0 is a user centric approach to managing a site’s content and design to empower the visitor into making the decision as to view – it allows for personalisation, user generated and incredibly dynamic content. Follow these quick and easy tips on how else to incorporate it into your site.

RSS (Rich site summary) feeds:
This is a format for getting regular content updates to users; it notifies users whenever there is a content update. It means that all users that have RSS readers, a tool that collects these feeds, are able to see updates from their desktop. It’s a great way to generate traffic.

Use some Ajax:
Ajax helps make your site look smarter and operate much like a windows application. It’s a free framework for quickly creating efficient and interactive Web applications that work across all popular browsers.

 

XHTML/ CSS markup:
XHTML and CSS style rules removes the clutter that comes with traditional HTML. It can drop the size of a site and create a central point where all front end interface and styling work can be done.

Database driven content:
Store your content in a well thought out database. This will allow you to publish data to your site when and where it is needed. It also allows users to call up content from it, based on their needs.

KISS (keep it simple silly):
By all means have a well designed site but don't make it appear busy. Make sure that it is simple to navigate and easy to find what you’re looking for.

Allow users to contribute content:
Enabling users to contribute content in a style similar to a wiki is a great way to get users that are interested in a particular subject coming back to your site.  Just make sure that you monitor it. Forums are a quick and easy way of doing that.

Newsletter functionality:
Create monthly or even quarterly electronic newsletter and be certain to incorporate subscription functionality on the site. Remember that you newsletter should be regularly disseminated, be relevant to what it is that you do and have the same design language to your website or corporate identity.

Posts and comments:
Allow users to interact with the content by enabling them to post comments on particular sections of your sites or maybe even rate a particular item. This promoted interactivity and help you to refine your messages.

Contact form:
Make sure that people that visit your site have a way to get in touch with you. It might sound silly now but you’d surprised at how often this is overlooked.

Work smart not hard:
Don't reinvent the wheel. If there is something specific you need your site to do there is more than likely an application out there that already does it. Use freely available software/ apps and modify to suit your needs.