Sales Increase with Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is here to stay. The technologies of the second generation of web-based communities and hosting services are in their beginning stages yet have the power to transform organizations. A very intriguing aspect of Web 2.0 is that it can be used to allow companies to get closer to their customers during the selling cycle. So despite the fact that it has appealed to a young crowd, Web 2.0 may make its greatest impact in the business world by helping to increase sales. More specifically, if Web 2.0 is used strategically, effective lead generation can occur.

Traditional means of lead generation include speaking at seminars, hosting an event, cold calling, providing free reports and creating press. While these are still valid ways to obtain potential customers, these can now be complemented with Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, podcasts, RSS feeds or wikis. A blog, for example, allows potential customers to come to a corporate site and learn more about the product or service. It can, also, help generate a community of people with the same interests. As shoppers come back to the website, further knowledge is gained and more purchases can be made. Currently 35% of software marketers, in a recent study, rated blogs as an effective tool in fostering interest in their product.

After people listen to a speaker or attend an event, they often seek more information by going to the company's website. Sophisticated corporations disseminate detailed information through free reports which can either be downloaded or viewed from the site. Reports can now be delivered through podcasting. By either listening to an audio clip or watching a video versus reading a piece of literature, potential customers are more engaged and can learn through a more interesting format.