Though there are many websites today that have revolutionized the way people use the Internet, there are some that stand out. Sites like Gmail.com, CNN.com, and Yahoo.com are used every day by millions of people, and some people have designed major parts of their lives and their businesses around these sites. Sites like Ebay.com have generated billions of dollars in income for many, and sites like Match.com have created thousands of happy couples. Here is a closer look at a site that millions use daily, and that many probably could not imagine life without.
The brainchild of a Harvard University dropout, Facebook.com is now used by over a half billion people, and it’s growing more popular by the day. Initially, Facebook was seen as a better alternative to social networking sites like Friendster and Myspace, places for people to post photos and information about themselves, and to look at their friends’ information. However, Facebook quickly became the king of the social networking sites due to its clean design and usefulness. At its most basic level, Facebook gives people a way to connect and share information with others online. It’s a way to keep in touch, to connect with new people, to share photos, play games, and just have fun. But the usefulness of Facebook doesn’t stop there.
Business Applications
For entrepreneurs, Facebook has taken on a whole new level of usefulness. A business owner can create a Facebook profile for his business, which allows people to show their friends that they like the business, which is a potentially invaluable way to build “word-of-mouth” buzz. People can even write reviews for the business, much like they can on sites such as Yelp.com. Some business owners just have a Facebook profile, eliminating the need to build and maintain a website. Facebook has made it possible for people to start businesses who otherwise would not have been able to afford the startup costs.