Why is Facebook Being The Second Most Visited Site in America?

It’s official. Facebook is now number two, recently surpassing Yahoo as the second most-trafficked website in the United States. The only competitor left for the dominating social network to conquer is Google, which is still holding down the number one spot. With social networking catching on faster than the eye can blink and Facebook leading the way, it may only be a matter of time before it snatches the crown and dethrones the search king. So what does all this mean to you? Well, if you own a small business, it means that Facebook is officially the place to be.

Facebook is a worthwhile venture for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and other professionals.  Although it is more general and not strictly business-focused like LinkedIn and similar social networks, this site is incredibly valuable in its own special way.  The Facebook experience is built around the concept of being able to see the real person - the individual behind the corporate mask.  It facilitates more meaningful interactivity with the people in your network, in addition to providing an easy way to communicate.  You can engage your connections through the use of features such as RSS feeds and Flickr photo streams, and even show the personal side of your profession with a fan page.  Facebook truly excels at the social aspect, and this has resulted in numerous individuals and small businesses flocking to the site. 

Now a true internet powerhouse, Facebook will certainly try to improve and continue on its successful mission.  This mean changes are abound.  Over time, custom applications and content will become more essential for businesses looking to connect with their audience through the network.  Having the ability to provide multimedia content that delivers entertainment or some other form of value will also be key.  This is the time for companies to take advantage of the platform and starting hosting their content in ways that portray the business in a more personal light, ways that may otherwise not be possible using traditional marketing methods.  While email, PPC campaigns and other promotional tactics will continue to play an important role in establishing an online presence, Facebook’s continuous rise shows that this exciting platform is definitely worth a test drive. 

Some observers are going on the record to attest that Facebook’s move into the number two position will lead to the decline of business websites, stating that they will become less important as the social network continues to top the charts.  While all that remains to be seen, it could very well happen.  The proof is in the pudding - millions of people are spending their time on Facebook - consumers who spend their money both on and offline.  These are the people small businesses are trying to reach.  It is very possible that Facebook will further impact online communications, media and advertising, factors that could make it a tool businesses can’t do without.