WTF 2.0

The worst thing about Web 2.0 fuss is the complete loss of business prospects. Right, there are several companies which directed their web sites to the profit, but most of them look through the rose-colored glasses and think that simple existence is already business. Surely these guys think current state of affairs to be Quick and All-Prize Lottery, but there is nothing behind it, no true achievements.

Of course I have read “16 ways in Web 2.0” several times but still can not understand why there is no a single item in this list on how to make money or strengthen the business.

I am just interested what part of “Version 2.0” wasn’t borrowed? As everyone recalls bubbles and bankruptcy at “Version 1.0”.

Lets go back to the history of conception of the term Web 2.0, 2004, as such, with those examples like Amazon.com and eBay. On that time they have just opened their back ends for developers, providing them access to their API and doing lots of money afterwards. Here is the key: every transaction through Amazon API finished with a small assignment. eBay used the same scheme. It was clear and simple. Web 2.0 became just a platform as well as API opened for developers turned to a true business.

Although along with the rise of Web 2.0 something has changed. In particular the emphasis from Doing changed into Using. AJAX attacks, social software and tagging do not stand at the same place, RSS is used everywhere. However on this very stage all these components are just the small part of the business model. I am talking about creating of useful and innovative applications for your users, but if you do not have any profit, than you will not be able to continue your business.

What happened anyway?

Right, Flickr is the most successful example of Web 2.0 these days. Do you still remember that flickr makes money from those who own pro-accounts? Besides, flickr earned money from its very beginning. Social innovations like tagging or blogging are wonderful attractive marketing moment, as people do not have any problems with pro-accounts ordering or Ad clicks. And at that time it was not a social application, it was just “how to make this product attractive for users and developers and earn some profit out of it”. Or in other words, this undertaking was nothing but business.

Ok, lets have a look at sites launched much later, everyone is thinking about chats and IM. WTF is business? Various map services? WTF is business? Online calendars and AJAX desktops? WTF is business? Right, they open their own API, add some doodads, but never think about gaining some profit. Have you ever heard anything about Microsoft Word Lesson?  Never? And it’s nothing but a predecessor of the modern Word, by the way, this predecessor had a rich functional, anyway it would be even enough nowadays. We all use only 10% out from application possibilities. Microsoft simply have to add some bonuses otherwise people will not update their software. This is the lesson that Web hasn’t learned yet. Now we see only start-ups going one after another. Does the world need all these sites? Right now we just discover new ways for old and dull aims achievements. And thus means that efficiency of these applications is too small.

But if you create something unique and innovative, you will earn a tenfold development. You can create a new web site, fill it with some useful content in order your users become satisfied, and you will become a good netizen, using the maximum opened standards; and if after all of this, your users will not enrich you, well… you are hopeless then…

But if you want to create a non-commercial service, like Wikipedia, all the more power too you then! But if you want to earn some cash and own an office at some Palo Alto, then hire good developers, attract many users and stimulate your business! And once you will create something which would earn you nice profit.

But surely not every company needs to be a platform. Just do your job!