Cloud Computing and Web 2.0 for Business Success

Introduction

When it comes to succeeding in the business world, companies have many technological options available to them. Two of the most significant and widely adopted today are cloud computing and Web 2.0. Cloud computing offers companies a way to store large volumes of data "in the cloud" rather than on their own servers. As a result, these companies can collect much more information about customers and provide those customers with greater knowledge — and faster service — than they would otherwise be able to offer (Hassan, 2011). Companies that operate in the cloud do so through sophisticated third-party servers that are generally far faster than what a smaller company could afford on its own. This gives customers a higher likelihood of getting what they need and a better opportunity to navigate a company's website without lengthy delays (Hassan, 2011).

When cloud computing is coupled with Web 2.0, it can be an even more powerful choice. Web 2.0 provides for true customer interaction (Gehl, 2011). Rather than offering only static web pages that visitors can read but not engage with, Web 2.0 opens up a range of interactive possibilities. Its interactive nature makes it an excellent choice for nearly any type of company (Gehl, 2011). It includes social media, but also encompasses other ways a company can reach out to its customers — and through which customers can reach out to companies. Being able to communicate with a company and receive answers from people who actually work there can be extremely valuable for anyone considering doing business with that company. It can also make consumers feel valued, and customers who feel valued are much more likely to spend money (Gehl, 2011). The speed of cloud computing and the interactivity of Web 2.0 make a highly effective combination.

How Cloud Computing Benefits Businesses

Organizations use cloud computing to reach customers more quickly and easily, and to make it easier for customers to reach out to them as well. The technology required to operate in the cloud is neither expensive nor complex for the companies that place their information there. They generally pay a subscription or usage fee, which allows them to utilize servers they do not own or physically maintain (Hassan, 2011). By doing so, they are far better positioned to focus on other aspects of their business rather than worrying about server quality or uptime. They can experience significantly less downtime, and they are much more likely to have satisfied customers, because those customers are getting what they need from their interactions with the company (Hassan, 2011). Cloud computing is not free, but it is often less expensive than purchasing and maintaining a company's own server infrastructure.

The Role of Web 2.0 in Customer Interaction

Web 2.0 represents a fundamental shift in the way people interact with one another and with businesses across the internet. Rather than being tied to a specific type of technology, Web 2.0 is defined by the nature of the interactions it enables (Gehl, 2011). Since Web 2.0 became more widely adopted, companies have experienced both benefits and challenges. The same is true for customers: they have gained advantages from being able to interact directly with businesses, but they have also found that too much interaction can create difficulties in some respects (Gehl, 2011). This is not to say that Web 2.0 is a poor choice, or that cloud computing lacks value — only that there are important considerations that companies should carefully weigh before fully committing to either approach.

Conclusion

Hassan, Q. (2011). Demystifying cloud computing. The Journal of Defense Software Engineering (CrossTalk), 16–21.