Has Google lost its cool factor?

Expansion.  Growth.  Collapse?  You’ve probably asked yourself if Facebook is set to follow this pattern.  Or, if like Myspace, it shifts into a different focus (music) and rebrands itself.  You remember Myspace right?

It has become apparent that after years of exploding growth, “ceiling” is not a word Facebook worries about (or Lil’ Wayne for that matter).  Thanks to its easy layout, widespread growth, and multi-dimensional way of simply transferring your life to the digital realm, it’s here to stay.  We can bank on that in the near future as long as its absurd growth continues.

Looking at graph after graph of Facebook’s worldwide domination, it is obvious this monster has a new rival that originally, more than likely, was unexpected: Google.

That’s right, the Grand Daddy of them all – and both sides are bringing serious ammo to this fight.  After snatching up hundreds of those Silicon Valley types from the innovator incubator (Google), Zuckerberg is clearly aiming to take Facebook to the next level leaving Google behind as the dumped girlfriend you never were really THAT into.

How does this all work?  Google has been on a losing streak – Facebook, just can’t go wrong.  It’s not that Facebook doesn’t make mistakes, it’s that they continue to churn out new user-friendly products that are being gobbled up by a bigger and bigger audience – so the mistakes are seemingly forgotten by the majority of users. It  comes down to search, and though Google has dominated this field for years, data points to a shift in where users are spending their time.

Data doesn’t lie.

One of the main reasons Amazon does so well is because of the reasonable prices on so many of their products. Most of the prices on items such as cds, books, and dvds can save a customer a few bucks and a trip to the local Best Buy or Borders. In addition to prices being lower on the internet, Amazon does not have to pay sales tax in most states. In fact, in 2008, the state of New York designed a law specifically to target Amazon stating that any online business had to pay taxes if they had deals with marketing affiliates in the state. Since Amazon did not believe their marketing affiliates were a strong presence in the company, they felt they did not need to pay these taxes. In response, they sued New York, but did not succeed. Since the only states that Amazon has a physical presence in are Kentucky, New York, Kansas, North Dakota, and Washington, these are the only states that require the customers to pay sales tax. This gives Amazon a huge advantage over other retailers.  Although some argue that people shop online primarily because it is convenient and easy or for other reasons, the elimination of sales tax can definitely be a determining factor for customers who are making large purchases. For example in states where sales tax can be up to 9.5% , someone who is buying a more expensive item such as a television can save a lot of money!

This past Christmas, I received many thoughtful presents, from money to the typical gadgetry. However, my favorite present wasn’t an iPod or a huge gift certificate. My favorite present was an intuitive little toy called Buckyballs.

However, I’m not writing about my obsession with this desktop toy – I wanted to  highlight the effective way Zoomdoggle (the makers of Buckyballs) has utilized Facebook to promote their toy.

Upon receiving my set of Buckyballs, I did a quick internet search about them. The top organic result was the “getbuckyballs.com” homepage – complete with video and a huge “BUY NOW” button. Also featured on this site was a “Become a fan” on facebook. I immediately clicked this button, and checked out the company’s facebook page.

The page is incredibly well-run,  with obvious promotions for users to post their own Buckyball creations. Furthermore, there are almost constant incentives for people to visit and “like” the page – every month, Zoomdoggle gives away a free set to the most unique Buckyball creation posted on the page. Furthermore, other promotions run that effectively spread the Bucky name, such a recent promotion where one merely had to place the word “Buckyballs” in their Facebook name for 1 day. This action entered name-changers in a contest to win one of twenty Buckyball sets. My roommate was one of the winners of this promotion, and both of us have made sure to invite everyone we know to the Buckyball page, as well as participate in all promotions hence. As a whole, Zoomdoggle is utilizing Facebook in an incredibly effective and entrepreneurial way to promote their even more incredible product.

Facebook has become less of a networking tool and more of a pass time. Here are ten reasons why you should delete your Facebook:

10. Facebook’s terms of service are one-sided; The terms only look out for Facebook, they own all of the data that you put on your page.

9. Facebook CEOs have a history of unethical behaviors; If you have ever seen the movie Social Network then you know that the company was based on unethical actions.

8. Facebook has declared war on privacy; People are getting more comfortable with putting up information about themselves on their pages.

 7. Facebook is pulling a bait and switch; They are quietly telling users that they are able to access all of the “private” information on their pages.

6. Facebook is a bully; They make default settings something that users wouldn’t really want and you don’t think to go and change them so Facebook is taking advantage of you.

5. Private data is shared through applications; It doesn’t matter if your information is “private” on your page if you use some of the millions of applications your information is shared through the network of the application.

4. Facebook is not technically comptent to be trustworthy; There are many glitches in the program and it is easily hacked which can cause problems with your account.

3. Facebook made it difficult to delete your page; When you try and delete your account not all of your information is always deleted, sometimes the information pertaining to your applications stay online making it Facebook’s property.

2. Facebook doesn’t support the Open Web; It says it is a world wide web network but in reality it only supports other people who have Facebook accounts, there is no search that uses the rest of the internet.

1. The Facebook applications are not a good thing; How many application suggestions have you recieved since you created an account, the countless applications are a waste of time and just fill up your inbox.

All of these are valid reasons to not have a Facebook, although as stated before it is difficult to completley delete a Facebook account it is possible.

A lot of people believe that Facebook is a waste of time and that it doesnt have a good purpose in this world.  the reasons are because of unwanted friend requests and ad pop ups. They say that it is a waste of time and ruins real life relationships. I beg to differ!!!!

1. Customers are using facebook. This is a great way to contact the people that you are trying to market to.

2.Your community is on facebook. 41% of americans are on facebook!!! 41!

3.Free marketing. yeah i said it FREE marketing

4. To teach proper privacy protecols.  to manage yourself and control yourself when your upset.

5. You can answer questions for your customers informaly.

6. Friend your customers. this creates a more personal bond and can help to ensure business

7. Say hi to mom! everyone’s mother loves keeping in touch with their babies!!!

8. Connect with friends and colleuges. This creates a better work environment

9.Start conversations. This way you can reach out to future customers.

10. if you dont use facebook in this booming technilogical world you frankly dont exist