Over the past few years, social networking websites, have rapidly increased in popularity, and if you’ve ever used one before, it is likely you know why.

There’s just something about these websites that draw in millions of users from all over the Internet. With a wide variety of different social networking websites available, there are a wide variety of different reasons for their popularity.

One of the main reasons for the really successful social networking sites is that they’re just so easy to use and navigate. In fact, most require very little knowledge of the Internet. In addition to being easy to navigate, social networking websites also make it easier to meet new people online.

Without social networking websites, you’d have to find other Internet users, often in chat rooms or forums and learn about their interests before deciding if you would like to consider them your friend. Social networking sites allow you to learn about other users before ever having to make contact with them.

Another one of the many reasons why social networking sites are popular is because many are free to use, although most (if not all) of them make you register with them. However, this is a good thing, as it allows you to create your own profile or webpage, where you can promote your business or offers and lets you to contact other networking members.

Although most social networking websites are free to use, there are some that are not, like Ecademy.com. Many of these paid websites will give you a free trial period or a basic account so you can ‘kick the tyres’ and determine whether or not the full account is worth paying for.

One of the advantages of paid online social networking websites is that they can be considered exclusive. Since most Internet users wouldn’t pay for something that they can get for free somewhere else, most paid social networking sites are limited on the number of members they have. This may work out to your advantage because it tends to weed out people that aren’t serious about networking or who just want to create fake accounts to spam the network with their links.

Social networking websites are also popular because they come in a wide variety of different formats. Websites like Facebook and MySpace focus on a wide variety of different topics. This means that just about anyone can join.

However, there are other social networking sites out there that have a particular focus. These may be on a particular religion, political following, industry or hobby. Most specialist social networking sites restrict the individuals that can participate in their network; thus, making your experience more enjoyable.

Finally, although the primary focus for social networking websites is for members to meet new people, over recent months, many have started including additional features only available to their online members. Many social networking sites offer members their own free webpage, free access to popular music videos, a free blog, and much more.

Although social networking websites are popular enough to bring in members on their own, these additional features are, in a way, providing Internet users with an incentive to join.

Mentioned above were 2 or 3 of the most popular social networks found online and in a future article I will go into more detail on some of the social networks I recommend you sign up for to meet like-minded business people and entrepreneurs.

You’ve probably heard the term before, but maybe you weren’t quite sure exactly what it meant and how you could use it to provide higher exposure for your business and your offers.

Here’s Wikipedia’s definition:

A social network service focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Most social network services are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as email and instant messaging services.

Depending on the social networking website in question, many of these online community members may share common interests, politics and hobbies and even set up specific groups within the social network where members can discuss them.

Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialise. This socialisation may include reading the profiles or profile pages of other members or even contacting them.

The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking online.You can also use the profile page at each of the social networking websites to promote your business by including your website URL and even a description of what you offer which can be viewed by people from all over the world, not just the UK, which is great if your product or service can be used by people worldwide.

Another benefit is diversity. Unlike in most schools or workplaces, the Internet gives individuals, from all around the world, access to social networking sties. This means that although you are in the United Kingdom, you could develop an online friendship with someone in Japan. Not only will you make a new friend, you but might also learn a thing or two about a different culture.

While there are a number of social networking websites that focus on particular subjects, there are others that don’t. These websites are often deemed traditional social networking websites and typically have an open membership. This means that anyone can become a member, no matter what their hobbies, beliefs, or views are. However, once you are inside this online community, you can begin to create your own network of friends; focusing on those you feel a kinship with.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be publishing more articles to help you learn more about social networking online, so you can begin to search for networking communities to join.