This week, Hitwise broke the news that Facebook topped Google to become the most visited U.S. Web site in the Facebook vs Google battle for the internet, at least for the week ending March 13th. Facebook accounted for 7.07% of U.S. Web traffic that week, while Google received 7.03%.
According to media experts, the continuous rise in Facebook popularity emphasizes a surge in the desire for relationship-based content sharing as opposed to the anonymity of a search engine. This is significant for Facebook because, as stated by a CNNMoney report, Facebook had never before beaten Google over a full weeklong period. Although, the traffic levels between the websites were very close, but experts note, it is still a big moment for Facebook as it currently enjoys popularity.
Previously I wrote on the subject; How Valuable is Facebook to Your Business? There we established the point based on available statistics that as a social networking platform Facebook is not to be ignored, the recent information above reinforces the assumptions. As a continuation of that discussion we would address further the topic; using Facebook to add value to your business.
How can you use Facebook to add value to your business? Get a profile/page! The main variable to consider in getting on Facebook is to get found. Your business needs the visibility. Usually corporate bodies would require a page, which could be created from a personal profile. After creating a page the next important step to add value is to connect and engage. Your business goal will be to connect with, invite or add as many people to your friends/fans list in order to form a community.
Your business content is promoted via your community, however based on how Facebook works and how your privacy options are configured; the contacts of a contact on Facebook would be able to see your content. I must suggest however, jumping on Facebook to start giving sales pitches is not the way to go. What you need to do first is add value to your contacts by posting useful information, quotes, discussion of interest, direction or comments and then subsequently strategically and subtly promote your content/brand.
Many companies have taken to Facebook, for instance Coca Cola has more than 5 million fans, Google itself has over 542,903 fans and MySpace 97,383 fans. No doubt with the increasing surge of traffic to the website, Facebook may well be the king of social media at least for a while.
