Ninety percent of all online content connoisseurs are oblivious to the true meaning behind the concept of Web 2.0. Nevertheless, those that can understand the vast difference between 1.0 and 2.0 are generally those who have a deeper understanding of the creativity required to come up with new and exciting e-commerce plans. What does Web 2.0 truly mean?

Web 2.0 is a concept that has been highly debated in the last few years by Internet Gurus and nonprofessionals alike. Many of the more learned “Netrepreneurs” always have and always will testify that the term, “Web 2.0” is little more than that, a term. These self-proclaimed Internet Intellectuals boldly proclaim that 2.0 is merely another marketing tactic in an endless series of marketing techniques.

Others who are completely unfamiliar with cyber-terminology go by the assumption that it is an actual program underlying the extensive network of individual programs that make the Internet work in the manner that it does. Ridiculous as this may sound; this guess does hold a bit of metaphorical water.

The truth is, it could be considered neither of these, both of these and so much more. To this day, not one of the great Internet scholars have been able to put into words the true concept behind Web 2.0.

You see, Web 1.0 is sometimes considered an era of beginnings and endings in the online revolution that marked the discovery time of the net explosion. While Web 1.0 is literally the beginning, the true Internet revolution did not truly begin until Web 2.0 came about. Revolution, in its’ literal definition, is defined by change. You simply cannot alter something that does not exist, thus Web 1.0 could not be the true revolution when it came about, as it had never existed in a prior format.

Early on, during the Web 1.0 era, the high-profile e-commerce sites were vastly different from those that exist today. We will take search engines, for example. The Web 1.0 versions were Yahoo and Netscape. The Web 2.0 version that seems to dominate the web today is Google, though statistics show that Yahoo may possibly be making somewhat of a comeback. Is this all there is to it, different programs and web presences? Not entirely, though it is one aspect.

There is a noticeably alternative mindset to the successful Netrepreneur today as there was during the 1.0 era. Tactics for creating a potentially successful marketing strategy are aimed in a completely different direction. For example, with Web 1.0, a very effective and highly sought after marketing technique was mass email networking and advertising. Today, very few e-commerce presences would even bother with it. It is not effective in this modern setting.

Explaining in one sentence the definition of Web 2.0 is virtually impossible. There are too many intangible aspects to put into words, and for many of them, there are no words available. Web 2.0 has been defined as a feeling, an attitude, and a tactical approach.

Let us try to perceive the concept of 1.0 and 2.0 utilizing the aspect of a mythological point of view, namely, the Phoenix. The Phoenix was an ancient mythological bird-like creature of Phoenicia that lived an excessively long life. At the end, as the shadow of death loomed nearby, the creature would build itself a nest, settle in as it were, and burst into flame as it died. From the ashes of the dead creature, it would rise again as small bird, growing, and again, bursting into flame at the end of its’ life. It was destined to live forever, but to rise and fall throughout all time.

Web 1.0 was very similar to the Phoenix in that it was born, matured, became mundane, and then died. Then, from the ashes of 1.0 was born 2.0. This new Web has only recently reached adolescence, with a long and hearty life ahead.

This metaphorical approach leaves us with the same question as the circular life of the Phoenix. Will 2.0 grow old, mundane and pass on, giving birth to 3.0? Most Netrepreneurs say that it will. It is the way of the phoenix, and the way of the Internet. 2.0 is truly an extremely effective concept and presence. Nevertheless, all good things must come to an end, and for every door closed, there is a door opened.

The reason behind the success of the successful Internet businessperson that can grasp this concept is simply the ability to grasp the new wave of concepts and ideas, leaving the old behind. If something does not work the first time a person tried it, nor the second time, then more than likely it will not work the third and forth. Those who cling to the 1.0 method and attitude stating, “I can make it work this time,” are the ones that fall behind the pack, achieving only a scrap of their full potential. Knowing the true concept of Web 2.0 will instantly put you ahead of the overall Internet population.