StealthNET Ltd

Social networking giant Facebook has become the most visited site in the US, according to new data, suggesting that the future of internet micropayments via the site would be beneficial to businesses.

Data from Experian Hitwise has shown that Facebook had a 7.07 per cent share of internet hits last week, surpassing the Google search engine, which had a 7.03 per cent share.

This could signal a change in future marketing techniques as more consumers could be targeted using the social networking site.

This comes after the website launched the start of what could become new platforms for internet micropayments. Buxter allows users to transfer money to other users through an 'e-wallet'.

The move may encourage other businesses to think about offering their services through the website.

Niall O'Malley, group account director at PR agency Immediate Future Ltd, said that Facebook would now be a "cornerstone for every marketing strategy that we devise over the next decade."

He added: "It's fundamental. And that's because of the changing nature of the way we use the internet – it's simple."