I don't know quite what it is about the principal social networking sites that makes site owners direct traffic away from their own sites across to the likes of FaceBook or Twitter.

By all means use a networking site to direct traffic to your site but why on earth ever direct visitors away by putting social networking links on your business site?

Funny, they will invest hundreds or thousands of dollars building a web site with their business profile, contact information, product catalogue and other applicable content plus the time invested in achieving a satisfactory search engine ranking - then on their front page they put a great big sign saying the likes of "Follow us on FaceBook" or similar. Hello! Why direct traffic away. And speaking personally, I don't want to 'follow' anyone on FaceBook or anywhere else. Site owners who do this are definitely being dedicated followers of fashion.

Yes, it is a curious syndrome, as if there are some kudos to be gained for having a page on one of these sites. 'Look at me, I'm on FaceBook!'

Please, think about what you are doing - by all means use a networking site to direct traffic to your site but why on earth ever direct visitors away so they end up having to do lots more trolling of the net to find your latest gems! Remember, too, that your postings on the Facebook site are only going to be seen by those who are members of the Facebook scene. Ask yourself, are your clients members of that subculture?