In the past the term 'new media' has been used to describe everything from emails to DVDs.
With technology moving so fast, particularly in the online world, new doesn't stay new for long.
How can you keep up though and what features should you consider adding to your website? New media can enhance your website and encourage your visitors to return and purchase your products or services which is ultimately the goal of most websites.
Take a look below at three features which you can add to your website with the help from a specialist new media agency.
1) Interactive online videos Thanks to websites such as YouTube and watch again services from the major TV channels, most people have watched a video online at some point.
Interactive videos can be used in a number of ways to enhance websites.
You can use videos to display your products in action particularly if you sell something quite complicated or something which people may not have seen before.
If you have a building which provides a service such as a gym, hotel or restaurant then you can give your website visitors a virtual tour or allow them to wander around the space by using interactive technology.
Online videos can also be used for more traditional advertising purposes such as banner advertising.
2) Mini websites Mini sites are great if you have a particular special offer or product which you want to promote only to specific visitors.
They are also useful for testing a new feature which you're not yet ready to launch onto your main website.
Mini websites offer the ideal solution for targeting very specific sections of your customers.
Mini sites allow you to guide your chosen customers to specific offers or promotions away from your main site.
You may want to dabble into the world of interactive videos or add a new element to your site but wisely want to test this first and mini sites allow you to see how well people react to a feature before it's officially launched.
Mini websites are also a good place to promote online games which have been designed to create a buzz on the internet or for one off competitions or seasonal promotions.
3) 3D photography Two dimensional photographs simply don't have the clarity and depth that a 3D image offers.
Although 2D is the standard for images on most websites, many businesses are now demanding more from their images.
If you sell products such as clothes or home furnishings which traditionally people like to touch or try on before they buy then this could put people off from buying online.
The great benefit of three dimensional photography is that people can see a product from all angles and get a better idea of the texture and materials used to create the product.
With items such as clothing for example, 3D photography is vital as often the front of an outfit can be completely different to the back.
There are many options for how new media can help you develop your website and your business to suit your customers requirements.
If you want to see how it can work for you then discuss your ideas with a new media agency.