What is Social Networking Traffic?
Social networking is an important arm of Web 2.0. This is a means of online networking through websites where several people sign in and can communicate with each other in various ways. Some of the most popular social networking sites in the world today, which have millions of subscribers, are Facebook, MySpace, Orkut, Stumble Upon and hi5 among others.
When they first began, social networking was considered to be a wonderful idea for Internet users because it was considered that Internet users are an introverted folk. Through social networking, it became possible for web users to mingle with other people and socialize. Soon enough, businesspeople began seeing the advantage of social networking. They saw the opportunity of being able to tap this resource containing millions of users to find their niche customers. Since social networking sites have user profiles that members can see at least in part and because they allow links to be placed in the communication, they are looked upon as convenient vehicles of business promotion.
What are the Pros of Social Networking Traffic?
It is easy to find targeted traffic through social networking sites because most of them have user profiles that list and display their likes and dislikes to other users. It is possible to build a group of friends on these networks which makes promotion easy using options such as "Send to Group". Most social networking sites allow users to post photos, audio clips and videos. This makes it possible to market in more ways than previously possible.
All social networking sites have built in autoresponders that send email alerts whenever there is some kind of response to the user. Hence, marketers are able to instantly track communications made to them and reply. Social networking sites allow feeds which can inform users of updated content.
It is possible to build groups with other similar marketers and gain some knowledge.
What are the Cons of Social Networking Traffic?
Understanding the business potential within social networking, it is increasingly being abused for spamming. This is lowering the impression of the business promoters on social networking sites. Internet fraud is also rampant here; hence, whatever marketing is done on these sites must be done discreetly and subtly. However, some sites have open policies for business promotion and here there is no need for discreetness.
The general people who join social networking sites do not do it with a business intention. They are only looking for a good time. Pitching a business opportunity to them in such a situation can be difficult. Social networking also takes a lot of time if it has to be done in the way it should.
