Social Networking is important for businesses to succeed today. Businesses use social media for a number of reasons. Businesses use it to promote products and enforce their brand. Most businesses today use Twitter and Facebook to reach out to and connect with customers. Sites like LinkedIn on the other are popular for connecting and networking with other businesses and professionals.

This article identifies ten popular social networking websites that a business can use to connect with other businesses or entrepreneurs, and gain access to useful resources to grow and expand their business. LinkedIn, the leading social networking website for professionals, has been left out from the list as most businesses are already aware of it and use it regularly.

Here are ten other business social networking websites to expand and grow your business. If used correctly, it can help ensure the success of your website andyour business.

1) ProSkore (Formerly Fast Pitch Networking)

PROskore claims to be one the largest social networks in the world strictly dedicated to measuring professional influence. Members of PROskore are ranked according to their overall reputation – which includes their popularity across other networks (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.).

How you can use ProSkore:

• Create your professional profile – include links to other professional networks, & blogs.
• Connect different networks to improve your influence score

2) Entrepreneur Connect

Entrepreneur Connect is a professional social network from Entrepreneur.com where professionals can network, communicate, and collaborate with others.

How you can use it for your business:

• Create your listing in the Member Directory with a link to your site.
• Promote your products & services on ‘Connect Marketplace’, a free marketplace for advertising business opportunities.

3) Ecademy

Ecademy is a simple yet popular business network for creating contacts and sharing knowledge. Its online network includes an active blog and message-board chats.

How you can use Ecademy for your business:

• Create free profile and join discussions for extra visibility
• Consider joining its BlackStar membership program for exclusive benefits.

4) Biznik

Biznik is an award-winning community of entrepreneurs and small businesses dedicated to helping each other succeed. It mainly targets US entrepreneurs.

How you can use Biznik for your business:

• Join as a free basic member and create a profile to obtain free back-link to your website
• Publish articles for increased exposure

5)  Ortega

Ortega works with committed UK entrepreneurs to grow their idea or business opportunity into a fully fledged online business. This includes providing assistance with project specification, design, and implementation of the online business.

How you can use Ortega:

• Submit your business idea via an online form. Your application will be reviewed under a non disclosure agreement. You will be contacted regarding the viability and next steps where Ortega can assist you.
• You can also Apply for funding assistance.

6) Efactor

Efactor claims to be one of the largest networks for entrepreneurs and is issued by big brands and small businesses alike. It is a good place to network with others, find investors and promote your start-up.

How you can use eFactor:

• Join the member database of over 900,000 entrepreneurs to find partners & customers.
• Apply for funding from EFactor’s ‘Finance Request Network’ that includes over 25,000 vetted investors.

7) XING

XING is a primarily European business network with over 11 million members. It’s a good place to find new contacts, experts and colleagues.

How you can use XING:

• You can use its active ‘Jobs and Careers’ section to find jobs or get yourself found by recruiters within a professional environment.

8) Focus

Focus is a community focused on helping business decision makers and IT professionals make decisions. It’s a place where business professionals help each other with business decisions by accessing research and peer expertise.

9) Small Business Trends

Small Business Trends is an award-winning online publication for small business owners and entrepreneurs. It has been featured twice on Forbes Best of the Web and Ranked No. 1 in Small Business category by Blog Rank.

How you can use Small Business Trends:

• Use the free press release section to advertise your business, website or products.
• Promote your website or blog articles on its partner site bizsugar.com.

10) Talkbiznow

Talkbiznow is a networking site for businesses and professionals that offers businesses with 25 useful business services for free.

How you can use TalkBizNow:

• Create a web presence for your business on ‘Webstore’ and start selling online.
• Manage your email marketing campaigns and send HTML emails to your email and social contacts. You can import your email lists.
• Avail any of the other 25 free services.

Summary:

Social media is not only useful for businesses to connect with customers but is also effective for connecting with other businesses and entrepreneurs. Social networking sites for businesses can be equally effective for finding partners and expanding your business as it is to promote your products and services.