Social media site Facebook has launched its new site design.

The new site is being trialled by a small group of Facebook users, with access to the new site to be extended to the rest of the site's user base over the next few days.

Facebook said that the new website will improve usability by offering improved navigation utilising a tab system, a cleaner visual appearance and a new Publisher feature that places the photos, videos and notes functions in one application.

Other changes include tweaked user privacy controls and expanded use of the Wall and feeds features, as well as better integration of third party applications.

Mark Zuckerberg, founder and chief executive of Facebook, explained: "We've made the changes rolling out today in order to highlight the most recent and relevant information that users value, give users even more control and ownership over their profiles and simplify the user experience."

A recent survey by Beeline Labs, Deloitte and the Society for New Communications Research revealed that businesses making use of social networking sites and online communities perceive increased word of mouth as the most valuable benefit of such websites.

Living Streams comment: For companies to thrive they need to listen to their clients and potential clients to find out what they want and don't want - and be led by that.  Social networks can be a great resource.