The number system we have become familiar with for the different versions of the web is interesting.  We’ve all heard of, and probably use, Web 2.0 sites like Facebook and Twitter.  Now the term Web 3.0 has been popping up in the news.  There is even a Web 3.0 conference coming up in May (3).  What exactly is Web 3.0, or the Semantic web, as it is commonly called?

First, a quick overview of Web 2.0; social media sites, with many pages of content created by each individual user; again Facebook and Twitter are great examples.  These sites are primarily user interaction with other people across the globe with little interference/interaction from the site.  Some other examples include Flickr and StumbleUpon.  These sites offer enormous amounts of information but are fairly limited when interacting with other sites.

First and foremost, Web 3.0 is open.  The semantic web is all about cross-platform collaboration.  This allows users to move from site to site, interacting with a site’s content (owner and user-generated) while retaining the same profile information for other sites.  Currently, in Web 2.0, each application keeps its data to itself.  I have to login into different websites or applications to pull up different information.  Web 3.0 integrates this information; imagine Facebook with integrated feeds and interaction from all your other social networking sites, your calendar, email, etc.  All this information was in separate applications or Web sites; now can be accessed in a more streamlined way.  The vision of Web 3.0 is unrestricted navigation. 

Web 3.0 is all about fast applications that work across all computer and mobile platforms.  The 3D aspect of Web 3.0 comes into play with our lives.  It will spread from our computers and cell phones to our cars and refrigerators!

Finding information will be easier in Web 3.0.  In the article “What is Web 3.0?” Allan Cho says “Where Web 3.0 is about control of information Web 2.0 is about information overload”.  Web 3.0 expands on the fundamentals that have been laid down by Web 2.0.  Searches in Web 3.0 will bring more accurate and relevant results using intelligent technology.  This intelligent technology is not artificial intelligence but natural language processing, machine-based learning and reasoning, and intelligent applications.  Searches will reflect the preferences and tendencies of individual users in order to restrict the information overload.

The 3-dimensional web connects information not by wires, but by similarities in the data or interests of the user (4).  The concepts of Web 3.0 and the semantic web are still developing.  We are just grazing the beginning of the possibilities that will be brought about by this next level in the evolution of the internet.

About two years ago we started a day long event called Web Camp as a way to educate marketing professionals and others in charge of managing their corporate Web site about the various aspects of developing a Web site.  Web designing has many technical nuances and in the case of BitWise Solutions, we have found that an educated client allows the entire Web design and Web development process to go much smoother and in the end deliver a better end result for the client.  By having a basic understanding of Web design, development, SEO, SEM, Web strategy, Web analytics, and even your competitors online presence allows you to make better decisions about your Web collateral and gives you more confidence going into the Web design and development phase of a project. 

Last fall we had our most successful Web Camp to date and it was a really awesome day of learning right on the River Walk Canal in downtown Indianapolis at the NCAA Hall of Fame.  With the great success of the last Web Camp we have decided to restructure it to make it even more beneficial for the attendees.  With that said, after a few brain storming sessions and much planning, we are proud to announce Web Camp 2.0 which, instead of one day of many class sessions, it is now going to be a 6 week series with each session focusing on a different topic.  It is a much more hands on approach where attendees will actually be able to perform some of the tasks being talked about in the presentations.  I know for me, I tend to learn and retain knowledge much better when I actually get to do it myself.  To learn more about the upcoming Web Camp, check out the microsite at www.bitwisesolutions.com/webcamp. 

We are looking forward to Web Camp 2.0 and we hope to see you there!

In the age of technology, your Web presence is as important to current and potential customers as is your office space and front-line staff. How do you measure up to the other companies in your industry who are competing for the same dollars and clients you are? What can you learn from them? What will set you apart? How will you use this information to strategically improve your Web face? 

These are questions many company finds themselves asking and they are relatively easy ones to answer if you do your homework. Your product managers likely conduct a competitive analysis of the marketplace periodically to learn and grow and you should do the same on the Web front.

A competitive analysis is the result of reviewing two vital pieces of information – your competitors and a select and specific set of criteria. Below are 10 things you should know when performing an online competitive analysis:

Competitors

1. Focus on both online and offline competitors
2. Determine to whom you are losing business :: Discuss with sales and marketing who they are losing to in the field, and assess if they know why.
3. Finalize your competitor list :: Create a manageable list of no more than 10 companies, including yourself.
4. Come to a consensus :: Get vui in on the list of competitors internally to avoid heartache and headaches later.

Criteria

5. Find out what is important to your customers :: Talk to your customers and find out what is important to them online.
6. Find out what criteria are making sales :: Talk with your sales and marketing staff on what they want to do better than the competition, and what they feel customers truly want and need from you online.
7. Include Web-related items :: Beyond the customer-specific criteria you create, include and evaluate the competitive Web sites with standard Web related items.

Analysis

8. Avoid interruption :: If possible, perform each site’s analysis without interruption to keep yourself focused.
9. Rate yourself last :: This will help keep you objective
10. Consider outsourcing :: Consider engaging a neutral third party to perform the analysis and prepare a set of recommendations.  

This can be a time-consuming process, but the findings are sure to prove invaluable in helping you move your Web site and your company forward.  

"Competitive Analysis” is one of the topics covered in our upcoming WebCamp 2.0 series. To learn more or register, visit: www.bitwisesolutions.com/webcamp or give us a call at 317.805.4376.