<> YouTube <> Wikipedia <> Flickr <>
Two years ago you may not have heard these names. But now they are mainstream and prototypes for Web 2.0 sites to follow. All three of these services feature UGC -- user generated content.
The Next Big Thing
What are the next Web 2.0 sites that are about to explode? Hitwise offers its candidates for exponential growth over the coming months.
Hitwise is a Web service that offers competitive intelligence on how people interact on the Web. Based on an extensive filter of 25 million Internet users and some 860,000 Web sites, Hitwise has identified the following six Web 2.0 sites with the greatest potential to become the next Big Internet phenomenon:
Never heard of them? Here's what they do:
Yelp is the fun and easy way to find, review and talk about what's great -- and not so great -- in your area.
StumbleUpon helps you discover and share great websites.
Veoh is a virtual television network that organizes, showcases, and delivers clear, full-screen video programming to anyone with a broadband connection.
WeeWorld puts a friendly face on the Internet by giving you a graphic alter-ego that allows you to express yourself, communicate and have fun with old and new friends both online and on your mobile phone.
Imeem is an online community where artists, fans and friends can promote their content, share their tastes, and discover blogs, photos, music and video.
Piczo has created a space that gives teens around the world the freedom and tools to express themselves and connect with friends in a safer social networking environment.
Hitwise's prediction of explosive growth potential is the result of an extensive filtering of traffic patterns that show Web 2.0 usage compared with overall Internet traffic has expanded from 2% in its first year to more than 12% currently. Details about the Hitwise Web 2.0 projections are available in an Information Week article.
Implications for Web Developers
As UGC continues to expand, Web professionals should consider developing technical skills to offer to prospective clients who might want to add Web 2.0 features to their list of Web services. Here are three ideas to consider:
- Register for PHP and MySQL: Building Web Applications
- Register for Microsoft ASP.NET: Building Applications
- Register for a Ning account. Ning is an online service that allows you to create, customize, and share your own Social Network. You can make it public or private and use it for anything - and anyone - you'd like.
NOTE: You are cordially invited to join the new Boston LinkedIn Network, powered by Ning.
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