Everyone is starting to note the impact of Web 2.0. Well OK, admittedly if you’re just picking up on it now you’re quite late in the game. Still, web designers and marketers have long learned and implemented Web 2.0; much later (present day) the mainstream media and semi-unprofessional web marketers are starting to pay attention.

Here’s the thing. If you’re just catching on with Web 2.0 it’s not actually the place where you want to start. Rather than jumping on a crowded Web 2.0 bus, why not get into the driver’s seat and lead the pack? New web developments, marketing promos, and other online business planning should in the very least reflect Web 2.0 trends, but should also be considering and defining what comes next.

Web 3.0 / Web Cubed to Replace Web 2.0

What will replace Web 2.0 and what will that look like? Somewhat haphazardly I have named in Web Cubed (for Web 3.0, by the way, I’m willing to have someone point out that I’m not the first to use Web cubed). Bare in mind, I’m not suggesting Web 2.0 must logically progress to the next number in three (or cubed) but for the sake of this post I’ll stick with simple numerics.

I think we can divide web trends in a variety of categories, i.e. design, market planning, choices, etc. For example, what will Web Cubed look like? That’s a good question and I’d love to hear from all web designers. What will it feel like? I’d love to hear from the programmers. How will we produce it and promote it? I’d love to hear from the marketers and planners.

Here are my top thoughts on what Web Cubed will consist of.

1. A Continuation of communal aspects. Why is Wikipedia, Facebook, MySpace, etc., so popular? Connections, community, people remain hugely important to web browsers today. The importance of the community mentality of online sites will continue to replace the desire of the individual.

2. Designs will become more abstract. Instead of congruent headers and footers you’ll experience asymmetry in web design work. Colors will be vibrant, collage, patchwork, wavey and mutant ideas will replace unity, symmetry.

3. Purpose will be replaced with play. Interaction with environments and combinations online will be desired over selection and rigidity.

4. Marketing becomes courting clients and not selling products and services to customers–(this has been around for a while mind you). We should also acknowledge methods of marketing will change; low-bit youtube will be replaced with full and high quality and perhaps some day 3-D video.

5. Change will be embraced and rapid change will become norm in information retrieval. Consider the continuing rise in cellular media and methods of sending and receiving communication (not just RSS but RSS to mobile in the least).

These are but a few aspects that are sitting perhaps in the tail-end of Web 2.0 but are also ready to lead the way for Web Cubed which for some who are ambitious, has already arrived. What are your thoughts?