The Web may be the most powerful tool that technology has ever created. Were it just a database of information, it would still be really neat, but it wouldn’t be as popular as it is today. After all, libraries are full of static information, but how many people go to the library every day? It’s the social elements and constantly changing information that has made the world wide web an integral part of our lives and created a huge market opportunity for web design companies.

You’ve got your friends, family, acquaintances, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, clients, and all manner of other peers. These people make up your social network, and you are part of theirs. This seems pretty straightforward, and from one person’s perspective, it is. When we take a step back and start trying to really map out how every single person is connected to everyone else, it can get mind-numbingly complex. Don’t worry–you don’t have to have a complete understanding of social networking to navigate the world wide web.

But using social networking elements in your web site design can help you grow your business online. For example, when you start a new business. Who knows about it? Your friends and family know, so you talk to them about spreading the word. Imagine how much faster this process would go on the Web, especially if you just started an e-commerce business with online credit card processing capabilities you can very quickly disseminate your website via social bookmarking to thousands of people that frequently visit social networking sites like facebook, twitter, tradeseam, myspace etc. If your web site is designed for the social web, you can easily reach your target audience, which means higher profits and revenue streams for your business.

Some things to keep in mind while designing your website for the social web:

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) : This, like chess, takes a little while to learn and years to master. Unlike chess, the rules change every so often because of evolving search engines. You want to design all of your company’s website and content to pop up when someone searches for it by including various keywords in the text. If you sell towels, for example, you might want to feature words such as “towel” and “terry cloth”.
2. Demographics: Figure out who wants your product, and distill that list into characteristics. Millions of people have posted their interests online, right out in the open for all to see; take advantage of this. It’s called free market research!
3. Web Design: You don’t have to rely on social networking sites that have already been developed. Many Web sites have built -in social networking capabilities such as social blogs, walls, feeds, photos etc. Answers, profiles and blogs bring  people with similar interests together. Thes tools can be integrated to support a thriving e-commerce business. Customers can see what others have purchased, product reviews and recommendations, ask questions and get suggestions for similar items or gifts etc.
4. Viral Marketing: This is exactly what it sounds like: news about your company spreads like a virus. Social media marketing lets you easily reach customers, recruit employees and spread the word about your company across the world wide web. Various forums and groups on social networking sites make it easy for customers to find you through word of mouth, greatly reducing the push marketing efforts required such as pay per click, direct mail or telemarketing campaigns.

Website Design with social networking capabilities is changing the way we do business. It’s the twenty-first century; welcome to the social web.