The Best of the Net

By Avery Nubson

A list of the top 10 ranked Web Sites in the United States

Ever wonder what the best of the internet looks like?

What do these sites have that your site may not?

How do these monsters of the world wide web become such monsters?

Well, lets delve into these topics and attempt to come out with some great reasons for it.

Top 10 ranked by traffic

• 1. yahoo.com – search engine, web portal (Launched in 1995)
• 2. google.com – search engine, web portal (Launched in 1997)
• 3. myspace.com – social networking website (Launched in 1996)
• 4. youtube.com – file sharing portal (Launched in 2005)
• 5. facebook.com – social utility used to connect family and friends (Launched in 1997)
• 6. live.com – search engine, web portal (Launched in 1994)
• 7. ebay.com – international auction site (Launched in 1995)
• 8. msn.com – content provider (Launched in 1994)
• 9. wikipedia.com – Collaborative encyclopedia (Launched in 2001)
• 10. craigslist.org – Classified Ads users can post in specific geographical locations (Launched in 1997)

Traffic rankings list from alexa.com.

Common features of the top 10

The first thing I noticed about this list is that all but two web sites were launched before the year 2000. Meaning most of these sites have stood the test of time. None of these web sites were popular the launch day as they are now. How many of these have advertised nationally? I can count them on one hand.

A new concept to the web is the ability for users to provide their own content. Sites like youtube.com and myspace.com exist for this sole purpose. Users of youtube.com can upload and watch videos from other members. Myspace.com gives users the ability to create a mini personal web site to share content. Myspace.com was originally create for musicians in the music industry to share music.

Other sites such as ebay.com and facebook.com allow users to connect via the web. Ebay connects buyers and sellers and Facebook connects friends and family members.

Google.com and wikipedia.com are utility type web sites. These sites give users the ability to find information easily and quickly. Google also offers many other tools such as maps, email and calendars. Users of wikipedia.com can not only browse content but can share and create content in a “live” encyclopedia setting,

One thing that each of these web sites have in common is the fact that each one is dynamic. Every time a user logs into a site, the content will have changed. There is always something new to read about, watch or learn.

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