Net Trends: 6 things to expect in 2006

Early yesterday morning, in Washington DC, a small group of about a hundred ‘web managers’ gathered together to discuss “Net Trends”; more specifically, what to expect in 2006. The topics of the morning included: Web 2.0, mobile/ transportable content, e-commerce, interactivity, privacy and security. These topics were obviously not discussed as new topics, merely as those topics which might prove to demonstrate the greatest amount of evolution and further integration throughout the year.

The ‘round-table’ as it’s called was comprised of managers, editors and executives of all levels of corporate, non-profit, government and consumer websites.

1. Web 2.0 - what is it and why are we still talking about it?
2. Privacy and Security on the Internet
3. “Slime Marketing” and its influential power over the consumer
4. E-Commerce, lets drop the ‘e’ and call it what it is; commerce
5. Communication, are we saying the same thing?
6. What sort of predictions can be made in such an un-predictable future?

Web 2.0 - what is it and why are we still talking about it?
Web 2.0 was notedas a ‘laughable phrase’ as it jokingly described as nothing more than Web 1.0 in drag. That is to say Web 2.0 is just Web 1.0, but now people are paying attention; a dressed-up prettier version of what already exists. It was the general consensus that Web 2.0 was not a topic of much discussion. The theory being, let’s all build websites with a user-experience mentality that utilize existing and upcoming technologies to best serve our content to our audience.

Privacy and Security on the Internet
Privacy is by far one of the hottest topics on the web. The further our society becomes dependent on the internet to function; the more at risk our everyday privacy and security become. Privacy is going to become the next big business on the internet. By the end of 2006 it was predicted by speakers that we would start seeing Privacy evolve into a product. A subscriber based business whose prime objective is to hide you, your identity and your personal information from the internet. Imagine having to pay a monthly fee to hide from the internet (what a business model!). AOL has already taken first stride at tying in computer security and privacy into their software bundle – will it now become a personalized service to a human identity?

“Slime Marketing” and its influential power over the consumer
We currently live in a ‘fingerprint-free’ web environment; one can surf around the net unnoticed acting at will without fear of having those actions directly connected to the person (or company). Slim marketing has been in existence, but with the overwhelming power and popularity of blogs and articles incorporating comment functionality — this idea of slim marketing is going to make more of a presence in 2006. The concept of creating a companynamesucks.com domain and influencing customers away from competitors is something to be prepared for – there will be a negative impact unlike anything we can predict. The web is now often a customer’s first impression of a company or product. If that first impression is a negative one purposely created with the intent to deter potential customers, there may be little to combat the issue. Be prepared for this now – have a disaster plan in place.

E-Commerce, lets drop the ‘e’ and call it what it is; commerce
In today’s digital era, is there really a distinction now between e-commerce and commerce? Yesterday’s definition of e-commerce is now one of today’s largest contributing and depending factors within all business. Let’s now realize that our business strategies should no longer be separated between off-line and on-line business. If you can not yet think of these concepts as a cohesive unit (compliments of each other), your business will suffer as a result and you will be left behind as your competition strides ahead.

Communication, are we saying the same thing?
Bigblueball.com has truly proven that there is a disconnect between generations and their methods and language of communication. This year will prove to increase strides in bridging the communication gap that separates us all in many different facets. There is the generation gap, the international gap, the technology gap and of course the physical distance gap. The concept of two-way conversation is ever more increasing. Blogs are becoming more and more popular – more and more news sites are adding the ability to directly comment on articles (much like newsvine.com). It is interactivity we are after and it is interactivity we will get. People now expect a two-way conversation, the opinion is a strong thing that is evermore becoming valued on the internet. This of course is a two-way-street. The more people wish to interact with sites, the less privacy we are unfortunately going to be able to give them. The ability to be anonymous makes brave people of us all. To ensure a level of sophistication, integrity and honesty is associated with our content – we must also ensure those making comments can be held accountable.

What sort of predictions can be made in such an un-predictable future?
The one fear many of us have is the day the internet goes dark; that is to say a hack-attack on the internet. A synchronized combined effort to take DNS servers across the world down if only for a brief moment. We have become so dependent on the internet for many aspects of our day-to-day activities – we wouldn’t know how to function. Scares of privacy, security and lack of communication would put the mass public on the highest level of hysteria. The blind confidence we all have in the internet will truly be lost and the outcome of such an event is completely unknown.

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