AboutOurWork graphs business connections online

A B2B social network launches a virtual version of a traditional business mixer

Small businesses and startup are always in the market to network and learn from other businesses and entrepreneurs. In order to make these connections, many executives frequent networking mixers, conferences and other tailor-made events, but a new social networking site is trying to bring that experience online.

AboutOurWork, founded just a few months ago, officially launched its social networking site Friday. This network caters to small businesses looking to make and manage the connections it has with similar business, vendors and clients.

How it works

The Columbus-based company allows businesses to create a profile for free and start graphing their business social network with other businesses.

"Existing social media and networking outlets have ignored micro and small businesses in favor of brands, job seekers and consumers," AboutOurWork Co-Founder David Hunegnaw said in a statement.

"AboutOurWork provides the first social business network that let's these businesses create a Web presence and connect with one another."

The visualization network network graph is visually striking and helpfully interactive -- allowing users navigate the small business network, showing them how to connect with the businesses they wish.  

Businesses can specify how often they work with other companies in their graph as to illustrate the closeness of their connection.

The user profile also allows you to view how people interact with you page. It will graph the number of times people visit, if they click on links to your homepage, you Twitter account, LinkedIn, etc.

And AboutOurWork also allows small or micro companies that have not built a homepage yet to host their page through the site.

"I'm especially excited for the opportunities AboutOurWork gives my company," Ryan Battles of Jovia Web Studios in Columbus, Ohio said in a statement. "One of the biggest challenges I've faced is verifying the legitimacy of vendors and finding paths to connect with potential new customers. AboutOurWork does both for me."

This new site, created by serial entrepreneurs and co-founders Dave Hunegnaw and Brooke Paul, is focused on cutting out the clutter of creating personal profiles that change when people leave the company and can be cluttered with personal information.

As I navigated through the new site, the first thing that struck me was how simplified and graphically pleasing it was. For those business owners who have struggled through creating Facebook and LinkedIn pages wondering if they were using all the features and if people could find the links they added, this site removes all the clutter.

It's clear and to the point. But, as it is, this would not be the place to take consumer polls or offer giveaways or any of the social media connection that Facebook, Twitter and others tout. This is clearly a way for vendors or businesses to learn and connect with one another. 

If you need another tool in you social networking belt, this is another option, business owners, and at least it isn't one that will take a cyber geek to explain to you.