Which Social Networking Site is Best for Your Small Business?

Social networks are rapidly becoming a popular form of staying in touch. There's a virtual cornucopia of networking sites on the Web for those that want to connect and share interests with others, or who just want to promote themselves. These days, however, so many networking sites have popped up that it's often difficult to tell which one will benefit your home-based or small business. So which one should you focus on?

The answer lies in another question: what exactly are you trying to accomplish? Are your interests solely in making friends, or do you want to establish contacts for your business? The answer to this question is the single most important one in determining which networking service to use.

LinkedIn has established itself as the most serious, business-minded networking site currently available. If you're struggling to set up or maintain your web presence, this option may be the best for you. If you use it correctly, it can be a valuable asset to both you and your new business, especially for finding like-minded partners or clients who are seeking what you provide. For those strictly networking for business, LinkedIn is certainly a good option.

One thought to consider: if your business is geared towards the younger demographic, such as teenagers, you may actually benefit more from a networking site like MySpace. While it's received a bad reputation in recent years for being too lenient with age restrictions, the user count is growing every day as more young adults look for communities they can relate to. For those who want to run a business but need to keep in touch with youthful opinions, MySpace would be a great help.

Suffering from middle-child syndrome is Facebook: it's not quite as "youthful" as MySpace, but it lacks the polished, professional look of LinkedIn. This middle-of-the-road approach can actually be very beneficial if you're looking for both business and personal contacts. Many users seamlessly combine both of these factors with ease, and the practice is common within the Facebook community. This is the answer for those who spend a large amount of their workweek online and feel as though the outside world is passing them by; Facebook helps the user "plug-in" to the world to a greater degree than LinkedIn or MySpace.

There's always the option of using all of these social networking sites, but it's probably easier for you and your business if you stick with one. And who knows? A well-placed connection now could lead to a job offer or an advancement in your career sometime down the road.