What is a Social Networking Site? Definition, Uses, Features and More

Social Networking Site Definition

A Social Networking Site is a social structure composed of people, organizations, and entities that are connected by one or several types of relations such as friendship, kinship, economic, sexual relations, shared interests, and also experimentation of the same beliefs among other possibilities.

Since the last decade, social networks have ruled the world and have changed the way we communicate. But, According to the latest Smart Insights survey on Mobile Marketing in 2015, 79% of smartphone users said they use mobile applications almost every day. And, spend about 86% of their time surfing the web, imagine what it will be like for future years!

Social networking websites focus on building and verifying social networks for groups of people. And also, who share their interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and actions of others.

Social Networking site Uses

Connected to the world

Technology is making distance communication more accessible and social networks are now a fundamental part of people’s lives.

No doubt, the main advantage offered by this new communication channel is the possibility of being in contact with people who are in any place and time zone, at a little cost.

This allows us to share exciting news about our life through states, images, and videos that show details about our day to day life, giving our family and friends the opportunity to live far away, to feel that they are an essential part of our life and, without Need for a plane ticket or long distance phone calls.

But personal relationships are not the only thing; social networks also help us stay informed in real-time, about what is happening around us.

Today we are all street reporters because through digital platforms we can express ourselves, express ourselves, mobilize people, or transmit our disagreement to current problems.

The domino impact of this medium makes the substance distributed goes viral shortly after the release. Messages transmitted on the network reproduces thousands of times. And, allows massive calls to marches, to bring to light restricted information.

Social Networking Site Features

Internet social networks have undoubtedly become a social phenomenon that revolutionizes the way of communication and interaction that until now, we had human beings.

It is a virtual community in which users enter to interact with people from all over the world who have familiar tastes and interests.

Their main functions being to connect users who know each other or not, but who wish to do so, allow the centralization of information and resources (photos, videos, thoughts and more) in a single place of easy access. And, exchange with others in which it is the users themselves who generate and manage their content.

Regarding the users of them, there is no standardized prototype, much less, but any person who wants to participate and be part of them can do so since access to them is entirely free.

In any case, and due to an eagerness to explore new directions and phenomena, which occurs precisely at that stage, it is teenagers who are the most characteristic users of them.

An excellent source of information

Informal organizations can be an incredible spot to learn and find solutions to some everyday issues. It is well known that today, most people make inquiries on the web before making a purchase or going to a professional.

Whether they seek medical guidance, recipes, and travel advice. The opinion of their contacts on social networks always worries them and will be taken into account.

The essential tool of the marketing plan

The real-world changes by leaps and bounds, and with it, the way of doing business is reinventing itself. And today, marketing has everything to do with digital strategies; Brands that do not adopt this type of tactics are simply out of play.

For companies, social networks are a way to obtain information about the tastes, preferences, and buying habits of their consumers, at a little cost. And also, it allows them to establish emotional connections with them, to gain positioning, and strengthen loyalty.

Finally, they are an excellent resource to measure the quality of the service. As it has been shown that users will always share their opinion in their accounts. Especially if it is a bad experience.

Use with responsibility

The high growth of social networks has given us a lot of power. Because they have become an extension of our reality. Thanks to them, the personal has become social. And even, something private can become public in a matter of seconds, affecting other people.

And, users of these social networking websites have several ways to interact. Such as chat, messages, email, video, file sharing, blogs, and also discussion groups.

The most popular social networking websites are:

• Facebook.com
• Blackplanet.com: African-Americans.
• Classmates.com: Colleges, schools, work, and military.
• Friendster: General.
• Hi5: General.
• MySpace: General.

Conclusion

Today we have the possibility of more significant debate, more considerable discussion, greater exchange of knowledge, ideas. And, this enriches us as people and society. The key is to make use of these tools intelligently and with respect towards others.