The website is dead? Long live the web application?

The Internet has evolved rapidly since it's inception. There is no slow down in not only the advancement of the technology that underpins the digital world, but in the way that we interact with and consume the information available.

Back in the day most small businesses started with a small website with a spinning email icon (remember those!), websites didn't really do much apart from that.

Thanks to various Content Management Systems, faster Internet access and a better understanding by web developers, websites have evolved to be more sophisticated. As extensions to our websites the savvy utilise Social Media Channels such as blogging, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube amongst others to make our online prescence more engaging and useful.

Others go beyond this. We have all used applications to shop online, book a holiday, buy car insurance and many other useful things. Mobile phones are now widely used for accessing online content and applications. This is certainly a growing market that is being tapped into. As consumers we are becoming more used to interacting with websites and applications, we want to get something back for the time we spend online.

Some things to think about:

• Is it really enough anymore to offer a flat website with a bit of info and a telephone number or email address?
• Does this type of website provide enough of a return for your business?
• If another website offered us a way to interact and find the information we want and do something productive, would we not turn to that website in the future?
• If so, what could you do to add some interactivity and added value to your website?