Businesses, Start Social Networking

I've recently chatted with Jim Bert of Web Crossing and he told me all about how his site is set up to help businesses use social networking to advertise and enhance their business online. Set up your own social networking site and even add your own company's branding and link to your company's main Web site.

A business can make money using a social networking site by advertising their business on it, but that's not all. You can also set up a blog and write about what your company is doing and mention any specials you can offer or changes your company is making.

Ask for feedback from your customers. By doing this you may create a following of new and loyal customers. Run ideas though your community members to see what they think and get their opinions. Use your social networking site to keep in touch with clients so you can create better working relationships.
Here are some of the features Web Crossing offers your business:

• Private or public social networking site option
  
• Blog, complete with the ability to add photos
  
• Gather friends and create a community
  
• Create groups and make them public or private
  
• Photo album
  
• Chat rooms
  
• Discussions
  
• Ability to add widgets and tools
  
• Network with members, customers and clients
  
• Store files and make them public or private (more space available if needed)
  
• RSS feeds
  
• A link to help you invite other people to join your social networking site
  
• Fully customizable look and feel including the ability to add your own brand
  
• Notifications and other personal settings
  
• Email client so you can send and receive messages between members.
  
• Three degrees of friendship
  
• Advanced member search with lots of questions to help you find and make friends
  

Ways to make money from your site:

• Advertising to get people interested in your product of service
  
• Offer expert advice to members at a small fee
  
• Add ads to your site to make money
  
• Sell items directly from the site
  
• Link to your main business Web site

Pricing for this service starts as low as $65 per month. There's a free trial service for those of you who want to try it out and see what it can do for your site before committing to it. This may be something to consider whether you're a large business or just a small start up.