#10. Xing
The German social networking site, which went public in 2006, has
accumulated 13 million members worldwide since its inception in 2003.
Whether you’re on the hunt for a job, seeking a freelance opportunity,
looking for a business partner or eager to collaborate on a new venture
idea, Xing has every angle covered.
#9. Plaxo
If you’ve ever struggled to keep an updated digital rolodex of your
friends and colleagues, Plaxo will come to the rescue. A product of
Silicon Valley, Plaxo imports all your contacts across all different
sources into one central address book and stores it in the cloud. The
best part: it updates automatically.
#8. Ryze
Founded by one of Napster’s first investors, Ryze helps its 500,000+
members grow their businesses, find a job, or just stay in contact with
their networks. Its networks are categorised by industry, interests or
location, and more than 1,000 organisations reportedly use the site to
encourage interactions among their own members.
#7. Businessfriend
Businessfriend is a unique professional networking site operating under
its signature BUSI platform. A Business Utility with a Social Identity,
Businessfriend provides members with the opportunity to meet contacts,
collaborate and communicate in an environment that melds social
networking with software-like tools to conduct business online.
Businessfriend is going to be the next LinkedIn when it comes to
professional communication and networking.
#6. Empire Avenue
Dubbed “social media rocket fuel,” Empire Avenue provides the tools for
you to expand, engage and evaluate your social networks for optimum
ROI. Using ‘virtual currency,’ users invest in your company and earn
currency back through your online activity and engagement on Facebook,
YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and other social platforms.
#5. BusinessVibes
The Toronto-based networking platform connects global trade
professionals with international partner companies. More than 2000 trade
associations, 1 million companies and 75 industries across 125
countries utilise this platform to drive traffic to their sites, contact
potential business partners and suppliers, manage events and even track
industry competitor activities.
#4. Cofounder
Launched in 2007, Cofounder is a private social network that links
entrepreneurs, programmers, designers and investors. Its goal is to help
these people build up their communities with a solid support group who
may be searched for on the database by expertise, working status,
geography and other keywords, similar to LinkedIn.
#3. Biznik
Forget collecting customer “likes” and “followers”: Biznik provides
independent business owners with a networking community made up of other
indie entrepreneurs to offer support, resources, referrals and advice.
The idea is based on business
collaboration, not competition, and the platform fosters relationship building over one-sided status updates.
#2. EFactor
The world’s largest entrepreneurial community provides members with
people, tools, marketing and expertise to connect with the people who
will help further their business initiatives. With a number of
subsidiary organisations headquartered around the world, the San
Francisco-based company boasts over one million members in 185 countries
across 90 industries.
#1. Hoover’s
After acquiring Visible Path in 2008,
Hoover’s has become a golden hub of business information. Users have
access to more than 85 million companies, 100 million people and 900
industry segments through the D&B-owned company’s website.
Editorial analysis on key competitor trends, social media
updates, emailed news alerts sourced from over 2,000 worldwide news
outlets, and insight into corporate structures and financial conditions
make this website an unparalleled resource for businesses worldwide.
“Our team of dedicated business experts provides you with
current business trends and in-depth company and industry reports,
enabling you to become an expert and have more meaningful conversations
with prospects and customers,” their website boasts.
