3 Evolutions of the Web

TL;DR

The three evolutions of the web for business are domain registration, search engine optimization, and brand protection. Tom Ferry says the current priority is securing your name on relevant services such as Twitter, Facebook, Google profiles, Delicious, and Tumblr; although hundreds of sites exist, he recommends about 42. Read on to understand each evolution and the practical options for protecting your online identity.

Transcript

hey good morning Tom fa your coach thanks for taking the time to watch this quick video interesting conversation for today last week we talked a lot about brand and and you know Tiger Woods brand as an example and your brand and got a lot of feedback about that um I want to continue on with that but with a little a slightly different variation of b... Read More

Key Insights

• The evolution of the web for business includes domain registration, SEO, and now brand protection. Each phase represents a critical aspect of online presence.
• Domain registration was the first key step in establishing an online presence, emphasizing the importance of owning your domain name.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) became the second evolution, with a focus on both short-tail and long-tail keywords, often through blogging.
• The current focus is on brand protection, ensuring that individuals and businesses secure their names across various online platforms.
• Owning your name on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Google is crucial to prevent others from controlling your online identity.
• There are hundreds of platforms where securing your name is important, but focusing on the most relevant ones is recommended.
• Consultants and services are available to assist in securing your online brand, offering expertise and efficiency in the process.
• Immediate action is urged to secure online identities, as delaying can result in loss of control over one's brand.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the three evolutions of the web according to Tom Ferry?

Tom Ferry identifies domain registration as the first evolution, search engine optimization as the second, and brand protection as the third. He says businesses should now focus first and foremost on protecting their names across the web.

Q: What did the domain-registration evolution involve?

The first evolution centered on registering valuable domains and owning yourname.com. Ferry calls it scary that many people still do not own the domain based on their own name.

Q: What role did SEO play in the second evolution of the web?

The second evolution was search engine optimization, including short-tail and long-tail search strategies associated with blogging. Ferry cites Todd Carpenter, who blogged six or seven years earlier and reached the top of the search engines for the terms he targeted.

Q: What does online brand protection mean?

Brand protection means securing your name across relevant websites so that you control your identity on the web. Ferry frames it as a race to protect the brand before trying to expand it, increase its exposure, or generate more from it.

Q: Which online platforms does Tom Ferry mention for securing your name?

Ferry mentions Twitter, Facebook, Google profiles, Delicious, and Tumblr. He says there are hundreds of possible sites, but he recommends about 42 that he considers the best or most relevant for business.

Q: Why does Tom Ferry urge people to secure their online names immediately?

Someone else may claim a name and gain control over the corresponding online identity. Ferry experienced this himself when a person whose name was not Tom Ferry obtained “Tom Ferry,” forcing him to negotiate to get it back.

Q: How can someone get help protecting a brand online?

Ferry says people can hire consultants or use elance.com to find someone who can secure their names. He also says his own firm provides brand-protection assistance.

Q: What action does Tom Ferry recommend taking before the end of the year?

He recommends securing every possible relevant site with your name on it between the time of the talk and the end of the year. His core message is to own your name on the web and prevent someone else from controlling or interfering with your identity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In this video, Tom Ferry emphasizes the importance of brand protection in the digital age. He highlights the three evolutions of the web: domain registration, SEO, and brand protection. The focus is on securing one's name across multiple online platforms to prevent identity and brand misuse.

• Ferry discusses the need for individuals and businesses to own their names on social media and other online platforms. He suggests that securing your brand online is as crucial as traditional branding strategies and should be prioritized to maintain control over one's identity.

• The video provides practical advice on how to secure your brand, including hiring consultants or using services like elance.com. Ferry stresses the urgency of taking action now to protect your brand's online presence, ensuring long-term control and security.