Mele’s Musings

Users Demand Expertise at How-To Web Sites

Is wisdom of the crowds dead?  Will users start turning away from “amateur” generated content?
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picture: gallery.nofactzone.net

Article excerpt:  If the Internet can make anyone a star, can it turn Barnes & Noble into one, too? The bookseller has taken another step beyond its traditional business into the online publishing world, recently introducing Quamut.com, a site that teaches Web users things as diverse as the basics of football and how to build a Web site.  “Building a how-to Web site” is not on the list, but judging from the number of such sites in existence, it may be easier to do than follow a football game. Quamut is the latest brand to capitalize on what company executives said is a growing disinclination among Web users for amateur how-to advice. Whether that distaste can support a departure from Barnes & Noble’s core business is a question investors will be considering.
the rest: nytimes.com

Musing:  For some things, it appears that consumers are ok with the wisdom of the crowds – but how about things like health, or wealth?  A few sites, like About.com, actually pay professionals to create content.  Perhaps the answer will be some combination of professional and user generated content.  It seems, though, that companies that sell high consideration products (whether they are super-expensive or not) can offer consumers needed value by providing real expert advice – and perhaps increase visits and stickiness on their sites.   And, if brands don’t provide it, someone else likely will fill that void.�