Xing

Xing- another social media network, but not like all the others. Xing is a social website, but it’s not for everyone. It’s focused on having members in the professional world, and more importantly small businesses. It’s the ultimate cross between Facebook and LinkedIn, the concept of both immensely popular websites, built into one. Xing offers members a personal profile, and easy access to postings such as event coordination and discussion forums. However, in order to search and connect with members in similar businesses, you must pay for “premium” membership. After premium membership, a member is able to connect with their region, in which they can connect with other professionals by “connecting” (aka friending).

The affordances of Xing start with its image. The website is extremely simple, and in fact the sign up page looks similar to facebook. This is a big advantage for attracting new users. There are no loopholes and making a profile is fairly simple and easy. The feel of the website is much more business than those of other social networking sites, but at the same time it is less intimidating and packed with words than a website like LinkedIn.

Another important affordance of Xing is it’s self-disclosure of the user. One can make it as professional or personal as they want. The areas that you can edit are type-ins- you write your own interests, educational background, and professional wants and goals. The self-disclosure of the website is also as private as you want it to be. The main purpose of the website it to connect with other small businesses in your region, but the user can put out only what they want to be seen by people they aren’t “connected” with.

Xing is a website that also has an important affordance of information. Like mentioned before, it is a website meant to network with other people of small business in your region. This helps break “weak-ties” with peers. It gives the opportunity to connect and discuss ideas, ventures, or whatever it may be, all by the information given out and posted by members.

One big disadvantage however is the differences in the basic and premium membership. Premium membership allows you to access features (such as events) and people outside of your region. Also, if you are a basic member, you cannot connect with a premium member, as your networking size with others is different.

Regardless, Xing is a website that is a good investment for those involved in the small business world.

www.xing.com