Viral website

A viral website is an online platform that is designed to spread rapidly and widely from one person to another, usually through social media sharing. This type of website is created with the aim of reaching a large audience quickly and cost-effectively, allowing content to be shared and amplified by users. Viral websites use techniques such as user engagement, gamification, and incentives to encourage users to share content with their friends and followers. This type of website often has an interactive component which encourages users to share, comment, and interact with the content.

Example of viral website

• Buzzfeed: Buzzfeed is an example of a viral website. It is a news and entertainment website that produces content designed to be shared, with an emphasis on viral content. The website makes use of interactive elements such as quizzes, polls, and games to engage users and encourage them to share content. It also has a wide range of topics, from celebrity gossip to politics.
• Viral Nova: Viral Nova is another example of a viral website. It is a website that focuses on sharing viral content from around the web. It has a wide range of topics, including health, travel, lifestyle, and technology. The website encourages users to share content by providing incentives such as rewards and discounts.
• Upworthy: Upworthy is another example of a viral website. It is a website that focuses on sharing content that is designed to be inspirational and thought-provoking. The website encourages users to share content by providing incentives such as rewards and discounts. It also makes use of videos and interactive elements such as quizzes to engage users.

When to use viral website

A viral website can be used for a variety of different purposes:

• To promote a brand or product: Viral websites can be used to promote a brand or product by creating engaging content that encourages users to share. This can help increase brand awareness and reach a larger audience.
• To generate leads: Viral websites can be used to generate leads by providing incentives for users to share contact information. This can be an effective way to grow a customer base and increase sales.
• To drive website traffic: Viral websites can be used to drive website traffic as users share content and links to the website. This can help to increase website visibility and gain more visitors.
• To encourage user engagement: Viral websites can be used to encourage user engagement by providing incentives and rewards for users who interact with the content. This can help to build user loyalty and keep them coming back.
• To collect data: Viral websites can be used to collect data such as user demographics, interests, and behaviors. This can help to create targeted campaigns and tailor content to the interests of the users.

Types of viral website

A viral website is an online platform that is designed to spread rapidly and widely from one person to another, usually through social media sharing. The following are some types of viral websites that are commonly used to reach large audiences:

• Blog Sites - Blog sites are websites that feature regularly updated content, such as articles, images, videos, and other media. They are often used to spread news, opinions, and other information quickly, and can easily be shared across social media platforms.
• Video Sites - Video sites are used to spread videos quickly and effectively. They often feature user-generated content, such as videos from YouTube, Vimeo, and other video-hosting sites.
• Social Networking Sites - Social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, are among the most effective ways to spread content quickly. They are used to share images, videos, and other content, as well as connect with users and engage them in conversations.
• Incentive Sites - Incentive sites offer rewards for users who share content, such as discounts, free products, or exclusive deals. This encourages users to share content and helps to quickly spread it.
• Content Aggregator Sites - Content aggregator sites are used to collect, organize, and display content from multiple sources in one place. These sites often feature curated content from a variety of sources, making it easy for users to find and share interesting content.

Advantages of viral website

A viral website can be a great marketing tool for businesses of any size. It offers a cost-effective way to reach a large audience quickly and can have a big impact on brand awareness and visibility. The following are some of the advantages of having a viral website:

• It allows businesses to share content quickly and easily, enabling them to reach a large audience in a short amount of time.
• It encourages user engagement and interaction, allowing businesses to build relationships with their customers.
• It provides incentives for users to share content, helping to increase brand awareness and visibility.
• It is a cost-effective way to reach a large audience with minimal effort and cost.
• It provides businesses with an opportunity to showcase their products and services to an engaged audience.
• It helps businesses to create a loyal customer base through the creation of a community of users.

Limitations of viral website

• Viral websites depend heavily on the willingness of users to share the content, which can be unpredictable and difficult to control.
• They do not guarantee long-term reach as the content can quickly become outdated and irrelevant.
• Content must be engaging, interesting, and relevant to encourage users to share it.
• Viral websites can be labor-intensive and require a lot of time and effort to create and maintain.
• They can also be costly to develop depending on the complexity of the site.
• It can be challenging to measure the effectiveness and success of a viral website.

Viral website — recommended articles

Social media marketing — Digital media marketing — Types of advertising — Benefits of social media marketing — Social media advertisement — Social media optimization — Forms of promotion — Advertising media — Digital marketing strategy

References

• Vernallis, C. (2011). Audiovisual change: Viral web media and the Obama campaign. Cinema Journal, 73-97.
• Abedniya, A., & Mahmouei, S. S. (2010). The impact of social networking websites to facilitate the effectiveness of viral marketing. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 1(6).