Good Web Application Systems: Social Networking Service Essay Example

The emergence of Internet technology, also known as the Web .2.0, has dramatically changed the way people communicate and organizations transact business with their customers. The most significant contribution of the internet has been through web applications that have enhanced interactions and dissemination of information not only between individuals, but also governments and business organizations in unprecedented ways. Initially, social networking services provided by social media as forms of web apps were only used for advertising and branding purposes; however, most business enterprises have realized the benefits of using these web applications to enhance customer relations and service besides easing the management process. This paper describes social networking service as a form of web application. Specifically, Facebook web 2.0 applications, its usage, changes that have come with its use and future enhancements are discussed.
A web application refers to the “application accessed through a web browser over a network and developed using browser-supported languages such as HTML and JavaScript” (Al-Fedaghi, 2011, p. 57). According to Turban, Volonino and Wood (2013), a social networking service refers to a website in which people with defined profiles interact among themselves. These individuals communicate online through message posts and sharing of videos, links, and photos. One example of a social networking service that has significantly improved interactions among individuals and businesses across the globe is Facebook. The purpose of a web application such as social media or networking service, according to Al-Fedaghi (2011), is to facilitate interactive communication between users through an online platform.
This web application is operated or used by creating an online user account by following simple standard procedures provided by the developers of the site. After creating an account, one adds more information to their profile so that others may easily identify them. Business enterprises can also create accounts in the names of their brands or products and the organization itself. Further, to access information from other users in the online community, a Facebook user befriends other users by sending them friend requests or asking them to share and like certain pages and links to information about a product. Through a newsfeed, the online social network application automatically updates information to the user as it occurs (Turban, Volonino & Wood, 2013). The user also has the option of adjusting their security by choosing what other people have access to.
Facebook as a form of social networking service and web application has tremendously changed and improved the way users interact, share and access information. First, for individual users, it has been an invaluable source of information concerning every day events across the world. Further, it has also helped people to establish business connections with others online, something that was a conundrum before the emergence of the IT age.
Moreover, for business organizations, this social media web application has provided numerous opportunities for growth and market niche. Through this web application, organizations have been able to effectively market themselves and their products through online advertising campaigns whereby they create pages on Facebook for their product brands. Users who identify with such products are likely to influence to buy the products, hence improving business sales. The social interaction service as a web app has given most firms the opportunity to engage or communicate with their customers in more efficient ways than ever before.
For, by advertising their products through this web application, businesses are in a better position to get the appropriate feedback about the performance of the product by comparing the number of likes and comments from prospective buyers. They can then make the necessary changes to the product without incurring additional overhead costs. These web applications have also been applied in job search and recruitment processes by individuals and organizations respectively. However, the most conspicuous and formidable strength and usage of these web-based applications are in marketing sales and promotion by business enterprises.
Owing to the ever-evolving web applications technology, it may be forecast or envisaged that most social networking sites and apps such as Facebook are headed for even bigger and better improvements in future. Its likely future uses will be in marketing and online sale of more products than is currently the case. Furthermore, the web app may see more enhancements in terms of security and privacy in future due to new cases of cybercrimes and phishing that are reported on a daily basis. There could also be more enhanced connectivity with other apps such as LinkedIn and Twitter. According to Turban, Volonin and Wood (2013), there are high expectations and hopes that the innovative growth of the social networking services such as Facebook is likely to continue as more and more businesses and individuals continue to explore them. Further, there is more likely to be use of these web apps to improve communication and coordination in the supply chain management process by future organizations.

Conclusion

As discussed in the paper, new technologies have enabled people to develop more web-based applications such as the social networking services that have reduced the world to what is commonly called a global village. Through social media sites such as Facebook, for instance, people from across the globe can interact and share individual and business information notwithstanding physical barriers between them. Businesses have also realized the benefits of these web applications in marketing, advertisement and promotion for their products. Business management has also become easier with these web apps due to more effective communication among managers and employees. Thus, with the technology still advancing, it can be safely argued that web applications use is likely to be more advanced in future as Samouelian (2009) observes that community sites like social networking sites represent “a leap forward towards the next generation of user-created content” (p.45).

References

Al-Fedaghi, S. (2011, April). Developing web applications. International Journal of Software Engineering and Its Applications, 5(2), 57-67.
Samouelian, M. (2009, Spring-Summer). Embracing web 2.0: Archives and the newest generation of web applications. The American Archivist, 71(1), 42-71. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/40294595
Turban, E., Volonino, L., & Wood, G. (2013). Web 2.0 and social media. In E. Turban, L. Volonino, & G. Wood, Information technology for management: Advancing sustainable, profitable businesss growth (pp. 225-270). Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley & Sons.