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The way that Web 2.0 has revolutionised the internet has left a lot of companies wondering whether their existing Web Content Management System (CMS) meets their newer needs of indeed whether it imprisons them in Prehistoric Web 2.0, thereby missing out on new business opportunities and making their business obsolete. |
Companies who are currently looking at new CMS would like it to be “Web 2.0 enabled”.
The following originates the foundation and working definition of Web 2.0
What are the principals of Web 2.0?
Here are the guidelines on what it means to think and be Web 2.0.
1. Be Informal
Audiences do not want to be talked at. They want honest contact with real people behind the scenes and with other members of the community who are active in the website.
If Web 2.0 could be described one way; it would be the six year old boy at the back of the class: messy, grammatically incorrect, often irrelevant & uninteresting and sometimes offensive. Web 2.0 organisations welcome those who “shoot from the hip”, honest and accessible.
2. The Importance of Data
Owning unique content is often more important than owning software. To be considered truly Web 2.0 users should be visiting your website for the content and not for the way it is presented etc. Don’t let limitations constrain your content.
3. Participation
Get your users to participate. This will create a dynamic & vibrant community and website. Generally your users are your key to success. Interaction should be kept flexible, trust them, embrace them and allow them access to a platform that permits them to share.
4. Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS)
To be considered truly Web 2.0 your User Interface (UI) should have a rich functionality, response times should be exceptionally fast whilst a balance must be sought between features and simplicity.
For a user to have a Web 2.0 experience, gone are the days when they have to click from page to page with slow response times waiting for content, they expect a more sophisticated UI. The introduction of AJAX and the maturity of JavaScript have helped significantly in this area.
5. Objects Not Pages
Today’s content is less about pages and more about structured entities. The main difference being between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 is that there are no longer “pages”, instead they have been replaced in the Web 2.0 world with content objects and requests.
However the concept of the “page” is not dead. It just means that those involved in the Web 2.0 world have to think differently. CMS will need to be able to do more than just edit a “page”, they have to provide the facility to publish rich content objects.
6. Evolving
Web 2.0 is a multi devise, evolving platform. Web content has gone beyond the web browser. iPod with iTunes is the real world example of this. This service being provided by Apple is now multi-device, multi-platform and multi-purpose which is providing Apple with new uses and purposes everyday.
6. Conclusion
Web 2.0 principals simply take the next step forward.
Traditional ideas such as search engine optimization and website usability are still as valid and as important as ever. Web 2.0 opens a new door; traditional static content is being replaced with more dynamic material, content generation is being opened to a new and fresh audience and new models of participation are being introduced. |
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