Web 2.0 design – what is it

The term "Web 2.0" has been floating around the internet industry since 2006. It has become most popular with web designers and developers promoting new websites or redesign of existing sites.

How is it different to the web?

To understand the term Web 2.0 fully, we must first try to understand the distinction between the web and Web 2.0. The web is a set of interlinked hypertext documents or files that can be accessed via the Internet. Web 2.0 is the conceptualisation of a set of outcomes that are enabled by the web.

Essentially, Web 2.0 is the user experience enabled or created using the latest web technology.

What is Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 broadly describes functionality, styling (look and feel) and the experience of using a web application. In general, you could say that it creates Rich Internet Applications with sleek graphic design which encourages social interaction using RSS, blogs, videos and other social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter.

Rich Internet Applications

Our desktop has a variety of programs that make our lives easier and more interesting. Rich Internet applications (RIAs) are web software that has similar characteristics as desktop applications, delivering a richer user experience. RIA’s make websites or plugins more interactive and responsive.

One of the main technologies used to deliver RIA is AJAX. A typical example of using AJAX is to limit the amount of information passed to and from the server once a page has been loaded. This means that a part of the webpage is reloaded dynamically in real-time creating a responsive interface commonly associated with desktop applications.

Characteristics of Web 2.0 using RIAs

In our everyday environment, the wonders of our world are appreciated through it's movement and beauty. Web 2.0 promotes this by encouraging smooth transitions, drop shadows and rounded corners using RIA to make our web pages feel more natural and invoke a response from us towards the site.

Example of a website designed using Web 2.0 styling standards

Communication through interaction is another source of how Web 2.0 creates RIAs. An example is suggestive search forms and on the fly checking of available usernames. These interaction help create a more positive user experience.

An example of a Google’s suggestive search functionality

Web 2.0 adds a new dimension to a website's user experience. The emotional responses that it evokes helps to improve the overall satisfaction a user feels when using a website, in turn converting it to a positive attitude toward that business, product or service and a return visit the next time.