Posted on August 22, 2008 - by Impress Lab

Top 25 Social Sites for Businesses

If your business relies solely on offline or even website advertising, you may not be maximizing the full potential. In fact, you can reach niche markets such as savvy techies or potential business partners via online networking on social sites. A social site is a online website where users can interact with each other, sharing information, links, or profiles with either their network of the entire user database.

You may have heard of the term “Web 2.0.” This refers to these social sites where there are now interactive environments. By leveraging these social sites, you can advertise to niche markets often for free. Make use of these websites and create an online presence for your business or organization. Not only will you see more website traffic to your site from these online social hangouts, but you will also build quality back-links to your company website and therefore increase your search results rankings.

Social Bookmarking

Social bookmark sites allow you to save links on your website in your profile. Other users of the bookmarking site can then view your bookmarks, and often, if they like the content, they can vote the link “up” in popularity.

1. Digg: Perhaps the leader in social bookmarking, Digg highlights the net’s most popular websites via user popularity votes. With categories like business, design, and entertainment, you can easliy find a niche to bookmark pages or articles on your site for others.
2. StumbleUpon: As its name suggests, you can share your bookmarks (with a browser toolbar if you prefer) and other users may, ideally, “stumble” onto your bookmarks.
3. Reddit: Recently read something online? Bookmark articles and resources to drive more traffic your site. The most links you have on Reddit, the larger your fan base and presence.
4. Technorati: The authority in blogging, every blog should be certified by Technorati. By verifying the ownership of your company’s blog, you can get valuable statistics and increase the authority of your blog.
5. Del.icio.us: Bookmark your site and articles on Del.icio.us with tags and start sharing the links to other social users.
6. Ning: You can even create your own social bookmarking network on Ning and start sharing and discussing with people you chose, such as colleagues and business partners.
7. YouTube: A unique way to grab attention to your business is via video sharing sites such as YouTube. Create an advertisment for your business and upload it to YouTube to give customers a visual idea of your business services or products.
8. Vimeo: Upload commercials and product display videos in high quality to Vimeo for free.

Professional Networking

Business is all about networking. Stay in contact, and build networks, with easy to use networking sites.

1. LinkedIn: Stay in contact with classmates, partners, and other business professionals in the “Facebook for business.”
2. Facebook: The most popular social network today, Facebook started just for college students but now allows anyone to create profiles, pages (for your business or product) and groups. You can even advertise on the site and reach a young audience.
3. Ecademy: Ecademy helps connect business people through its online network, blog and message boards.
4. Xing: Manage your business contacts and network with over 6 million business professionals worldwide.
5. Care2: Care2 is the largest network for leaders who are making a difference in the world with noble causes. Showcase your organization’s community efforts online.
6. Gather: Network with those around you and share ideas, photos, and information with a simple interface unlike many other social networks.
7. Plaxo: Update your contact information online and sync with your PDA or mail client effortlessly.
8. NetParty: Connect with younger business professionals at social events in the nation’s largest cities. The site takes a unique approach to builidng contacts through social dinning and club events.

Niche Social Sites

Target your efforts to niche markets for more direct marketing. You’ll find people just like you who may become your clients or partners.

1. Mixx: With user-created groups and categories, you can bookmark your articles and resources to specific targets and reach the most interested readers.
2. HubSpot: Share news with marketing business professionals.
3. Small Business Brief: Share information with up-and-coming business professionals and entrepreneurs while driving these intelligent contacts to your site.
4. Jumpup Intuit: Share advise and tips with small business owners and entrepreneurs in a lively community.

Information Portals

Showcase your knowledge on information portals and build quality back-links and website traffic while highlighting your business’ expertise on specific topics.

1. Wikipedia: Create your own business information page to highlight your history and operations. Also provide more content on existing pages and show off your expertise.
2. WikiHow: Create a tutorial or how-to guide and display your business talents and expertise.
3. Yahoo! Answers: Answer questions from Yahoo! users and provide links to your site for more information, gaining quality back-links with minimal effort.
4. 43 Things: Share and discuss your organization’s goals and generate interest in your business.
5. Wetpaint: Organize photos and information with your own wiki, or edible page.