Ray’s Web 2.0 Business Minitests: Plaxo.com

Plaxo has been around for years now. It was one of the first web 2.0 sites where you adopted an online service (in this case manage your contacts) efficiently.

It is so simple that there isn’t really much to tell about it. What they do is that they offer you an online tool to upload and download your contacts. That in itself doesn’t offer any new added value, the thing is that when you use it, it connects to the Plaxo server online. So if you decide to move or to change business for example, your online business card gets changed automatically. So when your contacts do the same the system updates your business card information instantly without having to bother your contacts with the new information.

Very simple, very effective.

Summary

Plaxo has remained the same for some years now, the service is simple and effective, it is the de-facto leader in contact management and about a quarter of my contacts use it.

It has interfaces to every well used system (like Thunderbird, Outlook, and some web 2.0 portals like Doostang and CollectiveX). It has no additional networking possibilities, no IM, it can just deliver you a lot of updates of your contacts.

Got any ideas for tests or do you want strategic / consulting advise?: Have a look at my profile Regards, Ray