After reading @Luai Ghazi’s Blog on “What is Facebook?” I pondered on his questioning on whether  Facebook should expand into the markets of  “online shopping as well as incorporating a search engine into the website”. Although Luai has a good point that by expanding into these markets Facebook would confront too big of a competition but possibly increasing profits, I also believe that online shopping would be a ‘no-no’ for Facebook. Firstly, if we consider the advertising fiasco on Facebook we may reinforce the belief that online shopping would not work as Facebook users claim that Facebook ads are distracting or not relevant as all they want to do on Facebook is communicate with their friends. However, it should also be taken into account that users don’t necessarily have to click on the ads, as it is said that “as long as the user sees your ad, they’ll want to buy your product or service.”

Similarly, I agree with Luai’s stand point that by trying new paths and opportunities the brand may expand and thus increase profits, just like other innovative social networking sites such as Instagram. But the real questions lies on whether Mr. Zuckerberg will take wise risks?

Sources:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/luaighazi/2012/10/07/whatisfacebook/

http://www.webpronews.com/facebook-to-advertisers-users-dont-have-to-click-for-it-to-pay-off-2012-10

http://www.google.com.mx/imgres?q=facebook+risk&um=1&hl=es&rlz=1C1CHFA_enMX491MX491&biw=1280&bih=562&tbm=isch&tbnid=64hGdXFJSw2WuM:&imgrefurl=http://www.seoconsult.com/seoblog/social-media-optimisation/5-facebook-risk-factors.html&docid=jgLkgAC4OXFSSM&imgurl=http://www.seoconsult.com/seoblog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Facebook-Facts.jpg&w=634&h=810&ei=rXdzUN-WCYHliALF9oDYDA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=104&vpy=232&dur=2583&hovh=254&hovw=199&tx=124&ty=138&sig=110568508630677761705&page=1&tbnh=119&tbnw=127&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:87