“Web 2.0” is a name coined several years ago by Tim O’Reilly. He used it to label the many changes that were occurring in the design of websites, the many new platforms, technologies and social interactions that were springing up on the web.

Social networking is defined as individuals getting together into specific groups – like a small community or a neighborhood. The Internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other Internet users and develop friendships.

Social networks connect people at low cost and this can be especially beneficial for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to expand their contact base.

Social networking websites are like an online community of Internet users. Depending on the social networking website in question, many of these online community members share a common theme and once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. The friends that you can make in a Social Networking site is just one of the many benefits to social networking online

1. be safe – guard your financial and sensitive information
2. think of social networking sites as online billboards
3. think before downloading email attachments
4. beware of con artists
5. be an active participant
6. create a consistent presence on different Social Media Sites
7. add value to your community
8. build your brand (name/business) slowly
9. make friends with people who have the same interests
10. share your content with other Social Networks
11. use widgets and gadgets to create more networking
12. add an RSS feed to Facebook
13. sign up to MyBlogLog
14. submit your site to StumbleUpon
15. sumbit your site Digg
16. link back to your content
17. a picture is worth a thousand words
18. make yourself accessible
19. don’t get carried away with the technology
20. use good e-etiquette
21. find out how a site works before joining it
22. keep control over the information you post
23. post only information that you are okay with others seeing
24. you will only get out what you put in
25. allow your friends to comment without approval
26. your mindset should be about relationship building
27. be professional
28. make it easy for people to learn more about you
29. you have to be a friend to have a friend
30. balance the personal and the professional

Social networking is defined as individuals getting together into specific groups – like a small community or a neighborhood. The Internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other Internet users and develop friendships.

Social Networking focuses on the building of online social networks for communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.

Most social network services are primarily web based and provide a collection of various ways for users to interact: such as chat, messaging, email, video, voice chat, file sharing, blogging and discussion groups.

You can also use social networking for business. However, this does not mean that you should completely forget about the other online social networking websites, the ones that are designed to make online friendships.

If you are planning on joining a traditional social networking website to gain access to millions of potential new customers, you need to be careful when making your online webpage or profile. One thing that Internet users hate is being solicited for business

When examining the website of the online community that you belong to, it is advised that you examine the terms of use agreement. Many websites, including social networking websites, will terminate your membership if you are found violating these agreements.