Should You Have Your Own Personal Web Site?
OK, let me just stipulate up front that if you own a business or provide a service you should have an online presence. I don’t think there’s anyone left that doesn’t have an idea of the incredible marketing potential of the Internet. If you’re a business person and you’re not on the net, get there.
But, is that it? Is the Internet just a business model? I guess you could point out that it is also a seemingly bottomless reference source. Everything anybody wanted to know about anything (but was afraid to ask) is on the Internet somewhere. If you have access to new or unique information on anything, please post it…the world is waiting.
But, what about Joe (or Jane) Average? Is it only businesses and data providers that have any reason for a web presence? A quick search of the web for reasons to have your own website would seem to indicate as much. Almost without exception they give reasons for businesses to be online, but nothing for people. But, I say you should have your own website and the reason is Web 2.0. No, it’s not the latest software release from Microsoft. It’s a coined term describing how the Internet has changed since the tech bubble burst. If you search for it, you’re likely to find most of the talk revolving around new business models, open source, data ownership, etc. However, this misses the bigger picture of Web 2.0 and that is that the biggest change to have occurred since the tech crash is how people are weaving the Internet into the fabric of their society. It is becoming an invisible connection joining people all over the world together.
Contrary to the early fears our parents expressed about an alienated youth living virtual lives alone in their rooms, experiencing human contact only via electronic intermediaries, in this new society people are more connected across a wider spectrum of experiences than ever. The youth of today are in near constant contact with each other. Through IM, online gaming, cell phones, blogs, chat rooms, etc. we are developing a new culture that encompasses all of the connected world, and the world is becoming more connected every day. It’s not unusual in the least to meet with friends at the coffee shop in the morning and have a chat with friends in four different countries in the evening.
Most Web 2.0 discussions tend to revolve around the changing Internet infrastructure, open source, network application platforms, data ownership and the like. By focusing on the effect they are missing the point; the real revolution on the Internet has little to do with the infrastructure or the technologyit has to do with the people. The new web is a social phenomenon, not a technical one. The Internet is becoming part of the fabric of our society and as such people are changing it and adapting to it in new and unpredictable ways.
So, why should an average person with nothing to sell and no particular drum to beat be on the Internet? Because that’s where the rest of society will be. Personal websites will be more commonplace than telephones; they’re incredibly inexpensive and easy to build, and most people will have more than one. They will have family sites to share pictures and stories with family and friends, personal blogs to maintain a dialogue with friends and strangers alike on the events of their community and the events of the world. Garage sales, wedding announcements, graduations, births, parties, resumes, recipes, pictures, videos, etc. all on your website(s).
The Internet provides the perfect medium to retain the old sense of leaning on a fence to chat with neighbors even when your “neighbors” now live a thousand miles away. Once again, passing an evening in quiet conversation sitting in the “parlor” can be a regular occurrence. Even sharing your toddler’s latest refrigerator masterpiece with remote family members can be easily accomplished. And, this new structure applies equally as well to meeting new people. The number of people that have met online is growing exponentially and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
Create your own website and become part of the new global community.
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