Social animals

The rise in social networking websites (MySpace, Facebook, Bebo etc) has been phenomenal and one question jumps out to me for website owners. What can we learn about the way people interact with the internet from the success of this type of site?

I commented on Darren Rowse's 10 Lessons in Blogging Learned on a Shopping Expedition today and I struck me as a really interesting subject.

Why do people buy from one high street store as opposed to another? Many buying decisions are emotional decisions (rather than practical/logical decisions) and feeling like you belong to something really helps you buy.

Football clubs, for example, have benefited from this for a long time. I belong to Norwich City FC, so I’ll buy all sorts of their merchandise (if I need a gift for a nephew, where do I go)? I’ve recently bought myself a motorbike. When I’m welcomed into a store (as per 'Norm!' in Cheers!) I feel comfortable, I feel wanted – next time I need a new bike helmet that’s where I’ll go.

So the lesson? Let the people in. Share the love!

Do you Yahoo!?

Often criticised for letting Google through the door into the search engine world that they once dominated, Yahoo is back on the offensive. In the most recent ACSI (American Consumer Satisfaction Index - Search Engines) Yahoo has pipped Google to top spot.

So what does this mean to website owners. I think the simple answer it's a reminder: don't be blinkered into thinking Google is the only place that might get people to your site.

Yahoo has also announced enhancements to their shopping search engine by including Hacker Safe checks in their listings. Hacker Safe/Scan Alert is an independent check that an eCommerce site is 'safe' - helping to give shoppers confidence in your site.

Neither Google or Yahoo are going to give any ground in this battle!