If you’re going to own a business, write a book, or even share your expertise in any given field today, you need to know how to make effective use of the latest internet marketing strategies. For success to rain down on anyone who wants the attention of the public the Internet is the key that opens the door.
In the past, businesses both small and large used various tools for their marketing scheme. I assume that the inventor of the wheel probably used a stone and chisel to market his product, while the Johannes Gutenburg sent out the world’s first flyers. For centuries, the only way a business could succeed was to get the word out and they usually utilized the most popular communication channels that the people used at that time, the same is true for our day and age. While some people still look at their newspaper every day for the latest on what’s happening in their community, more people simply turn to the Internet to satisfy their curiosity.
According to InternetWorldStats.com there was a 566.4% increase in Internet users worldwide between the years 2000-2012 and that number is continuing to rise. It stands to reason that a business owner seeking to gain his share of the market will be where the people are, on the net. Aside from the fact that this is where you will find most people these days, here are a few other reasons why many choose to use Internet Marketing to promote their business.
It is Convenient
When you have a storefront you are limited to the number of hours that you can be open for business. While there are some facilities that can afford to keep their doors open 24/7 it is not always a cost effective strategy. However, when you market on the Internet you there is no need to keep those long hours. Much of your sales and communication needs can be automated so your website will work for you while you sleep. You save on overhead costs like utilities, salaries, insurance and so forth but your business will be bringing in the money just the same. According the Charles Rubin in his article on the virtues of online convenience,
Given equal products, pricing, selection, and quality, convenience will carry the day in the competition for sales.
People live busy lives and will always be in search for ways to simplify. If you are accessible to them without the hassles of finding a storefront or having to do too much, you chances of increasing your customer base can be quite high.
You Can Reach More People
Especially for small businesses, your customer base can increase in a major way. When you are confined to a brick and mortar establishment your customers will come from the local community. The odds of you attracting customers from other areas are slim to none. By means of the Internet you can widen your market and can literally get your message out to the whole world if you choose.
You Save Money
Advertising on the Internet is far less expensive than marketing in other venues. The cost of rentals, print ads, commercial production, or even radio spots can be quite prohibitive but when you advertise on the Internet the savings can be as much as pennies on the dollar. In addition, there is no need to purchase a large inventory for a store display since you can order merchandise as the orders come in. This will save you from inventory overstock or accumulating unsalable items too. According to Ian Linton of Demand Media,
Marketing products on the Internet costs less than marketing them through a physical retail outlet. You do not have the recurring costs of property rental and maintenance. You do not have to purchase stock for display in a store. You can order stock in line with demand, keeping your inventory costs low.
Personalized Offers
With Internet Marketing you are able to tailor design your marketing campaign to suit the needs of your customers in each location. As you accumulate repeat customers you can create for them a history so that you have a record of what that customer’s preferences are. When this information is stored in your database you can create targeted promotions that will appeal specifically to them. Sites can now track website visits and guide you to create campaigns designed to increase your sales potential.
Now the best – and perhaps only – way to get the attention your business or service so richly deserves is by personalizing your message…But personalized emails involve more than just addressing the recipient by his or her first name….Personalization is absolutely the key to your success…
With personalization you are able to grasp a person’s attention and maintain it for long enough to burn your company’s name into their consciousness. If your company can’t be remembered then your sales can’t increase.
Social Networking
In times past, people passed their opinions from person to person by either telephone, across the fence, or in a letter to the editor. This method of communicating took time and lost much of its effectiveness because of the delay. Now, with social networking sites passing information at the speed of light, it is far more likely that a business will be made or broken by means of this versatile networking tool. A business that knows how to use social networking sites to their advantage will naturally see an increase in traffic flow to their site and a jump in sales as a result. According to Bob Loggia, CEO of Appointment-Plus enterprise scheduling software,
Businesses committed to their social media outreach are almost always rewarded for their efforts. It can give businesses a significant advantage over their competitors.
With the growing popularity of social media today as a natural line of communication, using it in your businesses marketing plan will build a loyal customer base, help establish an online presence that people can identify with and make you more competitive with other similar businesses.
As more and more people turn to the Internet to communicate and do business more and more businesses will need to launch online marketing campaigns to grab their focus. Without a reliable online reputation businesses are forced to swim against the tide. Effective Internet Marketing is a means of placing your business where the customers are.
