The Top Seven Things Facebook Could Use Extra Presence In [Group Coupons, Auctions And Job Listings Among Just Some Ways To Put Extra Spark In Already Popular Facebook]

Posted on TFTS by Steve Anderson on Friday, 27. May 2011 under: Computers & Computing, Net Resources

It was quite the shock seeing that there was a possibility that Netflix and Facebook would carry on with social tools, as it was part of a greater combination that would really put some extra punch in Facebook’s capability. And there are plenty of other things that could give Facebook even more edge…and that gave me a big opportunity that I couldn’t pass on, especially since we only just revamped our Facebook page ourselves. Thus, we’ve got another list: the top seven things Facebook could use.

7. Video

This is actually just getting started, and they’ve got every possibility to play completely in the video territory. Facebook could do just about everything YouTube can and then some. Not only can they bring in theatrical releases and direct to video titles through, for example, Netflix, but they could also open the floor up and let people put up their own videos, just in the same way that YouTube does. And you can further link them back to your individual profile, allowing you to find videos through other people’s profiles.

6. Professional connections

We’ve all heard how employers use Facebook to disqualify employees, desperately searching for reasons to not hire someone. And this approach is fraught with perils of its own; just because you found a profile for Jane Doe, how do you know that’s the same Jane Doe who applied for your job? We’ve seen people lose jobs because of Facebook…now why not have people use Facebook to find jobs? We’ve all seen the value of LinkedIn, and they just had a very successful IPO. Considering Facebook’s massive user base, there’s no reason they can’t compete in that same space. And networking is a very valuable thing…but it depends on positions being available in the first place. And that leads us to the next point.

5. Job listings

If you’re looking to hire people, you go where the people are. Newspaper listings, online listings, Craigslist, what have you–the whole point of these places is to assemble people in one place so that you can tell them what you actually have. Again considering how many users Facebook has on hand, it’s pretty easy to make the suggestion that this is a great place to take your listings. Consider further the demographics of Facebook’s user base; young, technologically savvy, and sufficiently motivated to create their own profile and make their own updates for no reason more than their own interest. Sounds like self-motivated individuals to me, and just the kind of people many employers would want.

4. Auctions

You’ve got stuff. Facebook users have lots of stuff. So why not establish a channel that allows them to take said stuff and sell it off to other users. Sure, eBay’s already pretty much the king of that territory, but there’s some growing discontent over eBay’s policies, from their gaming magazine-style ratings system in which anything below a five is disaster to their growing fees, it’s the perfect opportunity for Facebook’s massive user base to suddenly be extremely valuable, and in turn, to generate further revenue for the company.

3. Music

Considering the success of music applications like Pandora Radio, or cloud-based storage like with Apple and Amazon, it’s a good opportunity for Facebook to get involved in the field themselves. Just looking at Facebook’s user base, which is largely made up of 16 to 34 year olds, suggests a prime opportunity for music to get involved. Whether it’s indie bands putting up their own stuff in the grandest MySpace style or record companies getting in on the massive user base, music could be a big part of Facebook. And considering that there was word emerging that Spotify was looking to come to Facebook, well, it just gives me further pause to think someone’s reading my notes before I actually write these lists.

2. Games

I know, I know…there are games on Facebook already. UNO Boost, Farmville, Mafia Wars…but when you look at places like Newgrounds, Kongregate and Armor Games, it makes Facebook’s offerings look downright anemic by comparison. A lot of Facebook denizens like the current lineup of games, so it stands to reason they’d enjoy an expanded lineup featuring simple, easy to activate games right in your browser. And considering how many game sites are already out there that don’t have near the user base of Facebook, well, it stands to reason that there’s an opportunity in the offing here. And if the issue of “prizes” gets involved, well, that’s only better.

1. Group Coupons

They’ve actually started this up in the Facebook Deals section, but there’s not a whole lot going on in there. When I went in to check, there were a total of six offers posted over the space of three days. It’s not exactly reaching to say that, these days, nobody wants to waste money. So why not incorporate an opportunity to prevent wasting money right in the place where everybody goes to waste time? It’s a great possibility, and of course, it also represents an opportunity for Facebook to make some more cash right along side it.

And so, there you go; seven great possibilities for expansion for Facebook. They’re already doing a lot of great stuff,and they’ve got the opportunity to do even more. What will they add on next? Well, they’ve already got us interested, and just a quick reminder that we’ve got our own slice of the Facebook pie, so head on out and give us a hand making it the big deal it can be.

But even more, what do you think they’ll add next? Will they go all the way in with Netflix? Will they compete on some other front? Or will they come up with something completely different? Hit the comments section with your best guess, because we’re dying to hear it!

All pics copyright their owners.