Ask ten different people what Web 2.0 is, and you'll get 10 different answers. For our purposes today, let's agree to the following ideas about Web 2.0 sites:
- They are social
- Websites are no longer one-way disseminators of information. Visitors expect some level of interaction, some feeling that other people are using the same site.
- The content is often largely (or all) generated by the end-user
- Part of the social aspect is contributing to the site and seeing what other people have contributed
- 80/20 rule: 80% of your visitors are just consumers, 20% participate -- and 1-5% author content.
- The sites get better the more people use them
- Good content rises to the top
- They employ new technology to enhance interactivity
- Minimize waiting, maximize information
- They trust their users
- This is key: visitors need to feel ownership of their information and contributions, that they are part-owners of the site.
Great Youtube "animation" illustrating Web 2.0: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE