In the early days of the Internet there was no consistent terminology. The terms website (or web site) and web presence (or Internet presence) were used interchangeably, meaning “a collection of files located at a particular web address.”

It wasn’t long before the term website took hold and web presence became much less common. It makes sense. Website is shorter, easier to say, and clear in meaning.

These days I don’t think the term “website” is broad enough, though. It doesn’t cover all the other ways we can be present and available on the Internet. Sure, your blog is a website. But what about a Twitter or Facebook account? How about your YouTube or Flickr profile? A website is just one piece of your broader web presence.

How can you bring all these things together?
It’s being done a few different ways. Some connect it all by embedding and linking everything into a single website. Others might use a social network aggregator, a service created just for this purpose. More and more are using Facebook, through third party applications that display everything you’re doing across the web on your profile.

Then there are those who don’t try to keep everything in one place. Instead they consistently use the same handle or username to make it easier to be found across multiple services.

I think most people don’t use any of these methods, though. They open accounts haphazardly, sometimes using their real name, other time using a nickname, and not always the same one. I’m a bit guilty of this myself, mostly because over the years I’ve changed the way I want to present myself on the web. Currently I use my real name or the handle “banannie” pretty much everywhere, but I still have active accounts under other nicknames just because of the hassle involved making everything consistent (or in some cases getting there too late to use “banannie,” which explains my Twitter nickname “banannie7.”) If you’re just getting started I’d recommend either using your real name or choosing a nickname you love, and using it everywhere you go.

Why is a consistent web presence important?
For individuals, a consistent or centrally located web presence means it’s easy for your friends to find you across social networks. It allows new acquaintances to get a broader picture of who you are.

For a small business or nonprofit, a consistent web presence is simply an extension of branding. Confusion over the “official” media presence can confuse customers and clients and possible hurt you if it makes you hard to find, or if your brand is used by someone else negatively.

What does your web presence look like?