Web 2.0 is stated to be more of a collection of concepts rather than a suite of tools. Web 2.0 sites don’t place so much emphasis on flashy graphics and use layouts that are easy on the eyes while performing well. The main aspect of Web 2.0 is that of enabling users to interact with websites and other users instead of only receiving a one-way information flow. Web 2.0 is important for today’s designs and what follows are some reasons why.
Its main importance is derived from its compliance with standards. These standards are defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and specify how web developers should write the XHTML code for the web pages they create. The highlights of W3C standards include using custom style sheets (CSS) for presentation elements, unbroken page links, and accessibility for all users even if they are hearing or visually impaired.
Blogs grant for superior communication from business to client. Blogs are an integral component of Web 2.0 design and their utility goes far beyond a company just promoting products with income hype. Blogs that are implemented effectively give helpful advice to those reading them thus building trust with their authors.
Users can aggregate data feeds from various websites. Part of Web 2.0 is a way of presenting information that is known as real easy syndication or RSS. Websites can wage RSS feeds where users can set up filters in order to get only the information they need. For example, a individual might subscribe to an online classifieds website but be healthy ot set up filters that return only the information relevant and of interest to them.
Social bookmarking is a powerful way to leverage Web 2.0 individual interaction. The concept of Web 2.0 deals with allowing users to rate the content of a website. For example, social bookmarking is a concept whereby users can aggregate links (bookmarks) they find interesting and share with others. If they find your site as helpful then they bookmark it for all who subscribe to the social bookmarking site to see. Not only do you get a valuable backlink to your site but comments from all those who concur with the individual who bookmarked it in the first place.
Simplicity in design grants focus on the important elements of a website. A main focus behind Web 2.0 design is simplifying page design so that more attention is directed towards its message. The underlying principle is that web sites have the purpose of fulfilling individual needs and visitors should not have to sift through unnecessary features in order to get the information they want. Web 2.0 developers design pages so that users don’t spend a lot of time figuring out how to navigate them.
Web 2.0 has been instrumental in poising website design concepts for the future. Even though some critics of it have stated that it opened the door to users being healthy to add poor calibre content to the internet. For example, there is still the stipulation for webmasters to edit the comments prefabricated by users on blogs and other social sites. However a web 2.0 design is scalable meaning it is poised for inevitable changes that occur with any site.