Niche networks 'next big thing' in social media

Niche social networking sites are already a developing trend and are likely to be the next big thing in Web 2.0, an expert has suggested.

Rachel Hawkes, co-founder and editor at the Social Media Portal, remarked that there are now online communities for groups such as pets, babies and women with shoe obsessions.

Demand will increase for personal and portable social networks "as people will want more and more to take the interaction and engagement they receive from networks with them on the go", she continued.

Her comments come shortly after a new report from Datamonitor found the UK has the highest number of people participating in such groups in Europe.

A study published earlier this year by Forrester Research predicted that businesses will make use of the popularity of social networks by using Web 2.0 features as marketing platforms.

It forecast that spending through this medium alone will reach $4.6 billion (£2.3 billion) within six years.