Business blogging was a huge growth area of 2006 but a leading internet intelligence firm claims that companies may be forfeiting huge market research opportunities if they fail to maximise the potential for web forums, according to new research.
Last year, there were 1.5 billion posts on internet forums compared to 252 million posted on blogs, reports London-based web intelligence firm 23.
A common misconception of internet forums is that they are solely habited by geeks and spammers, but 23 believes the anonymity of the medium and the freedom to post unedited comment possesses major advantages over traditional market research methods.
David Crane, managing director of 23, told 24dash.com: "Businesses that are dismissive of the online world do a disservice to their stakeholders and will pay the price in years to come. There is a dangerous misconception that forums are full of geeks or people with too much time on their hands.
"The truth is that your most engaged customers, be they your most passionate supporters or your most ardent detractors, are engaged in an online debate and your future customers are reading their opinions."
