Everyone seems to be jumping on the internet marketing bandwagon lately. In the race to get their business online, many successful businesses forget to ask themselves some tough questions about what they are doing, what their expectations are and what their plan is to meet those expectations.
The internet can be a powerful tool that can put you on solid footing with bigger companies. On the other hand, the other companies may have more money to pay for advertising. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you analyze your internet marketing strategy.
Advantage of Internet Marketing
- your store is open, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. Further, your customers are worldwide in reach, and can shop anytime that they want to
- the cost of spreading your message is next to nothing. Emailing your subscription base is more oftne cheaper than sending a letter through the mail
- updating your subscribers can be done almost instantly through email. Visitors to your website can get up to the minute information on each visit. If you are having a sale, your customers can start shopping at the discounted prices literally as soon as they open their email
- if you have an information sensitive business, such as a law firm, newspaper or online magazine, you can deliver your products directly to your customers without having to use a courier
Disadvantages of Internet Marketing
- online marketing is not free. The cost of software, hardware, wed site design, maintenance of your site, online distribution costs and of course, time, all must be factored into the cost of providing your service or product.
- slightly over 50% of households shop online. While that number will continue to grow, you are reaching less than two out of three households.
- the internet is still regarded as a source of information gathering for the majority of your customers. Of the number of visitors to your site, the vast majority of visitors who are motivated to buy will do so in person. Many people prefer the live interaction when they buy. If you have a small business with one location, this may deter customers from buying.
- easier to have outdated information on your site, thus timing of updates is critical
- there is no replacement for good old fashioned customer service. The majority of internet marketers lack customer service and inquiry response programs. As a result, many online visitors to your site will already have painted your site as poor service before they have even contacted you. The majority of websites also have poor navigation, which makes it difficult for your visitor to find what they are looking for. Many sites were created with a marketing view, not a customer service point of view.
- is your site secure? Does your customer know this? There are many incorrect stereotypes about the security of the internet out there. As a result, many of your visitors will not want to use their credit card to make a purchase. The fear of having their credit card info stolen is a clear and present danger in the minds of your visitors
- there is a lot of competition for your product already out there. By the time your visitor finds you, they have already been clicking many links. Unless they can find what they are looking for quickly, they are gone.
- many web visitors expect something for free. What do you have to offer them?
There are many other pros and cons of internet marketing. Its important for you to consider each when creating your internet marketing strategy. Each of the disadvantages can be overcome, but only if you view the customer experience from the eyes of your customer, not as an internet marketer.
Northern Source offers web design services for small businesses. You'll find more helpful hints at http://www.northernsource.com
Christopher Smith has been creating web sites for small businesses for over 7 years. In addition to providing deisgn and consultation services, Christopher also provides tips on search engine optimization, internet marketing and traffic generation.
Many aspiring Internet marketers hear all of the talk about... Read More
The following tips are just a few of the things... Read More
Here is a story of four traders who each started... Read More
If you are considering launching a website for your business... Read More
1. Information Products - it could be ebooks, "how to"... Read More
Yes folks, there is a way of making absolutely certain-sure... Read More
The steps to gaining exclusive rightsYou will need to give... Read More
Today, the internet is an excellent media to reach out... Read More
I just got off the phone with Michael Fortin, one... Read More
One of the best projects to undertake as an online... Read More
It happened twice during the same week. All I wanted... Read More
Are you looking for ways of persuading your web site... Read More
It's always a good time to review what's been working... Read More
If you are like most internet based home business entrepreneurs... Read More
Simply put, online testing involves keying each different test variable... Read More
Gasp! Choke! Gag! That's how people react when you tell... Read More
Hi there,It is still scary to see how many internet... Read More
Want more hits to your website or someone actually buying?... Read More
What is weird?, well in the 21st century it's getting... Read More
If you haven't heard the word 'niche' being batted around... Read More
So you've been thinking of doing some internet marketing or... Read More
The best way I know of to multiply your online... Read More
So you're starting a website and have visions of making... Read More
How many times have I heard literal horror stories from... Read More
2005 is a great year for affiliate marketers, as online... Read More
So you've created a digital product ready for sale on... Read More
One of my favorite net marketing tasks is creating a... Read More
If you haven't already heard the buzz, Michael Port is... Read More
If you have ever wanted to know HOW the Internet... Read More
Using Online Communities to Differentiate Your WebsiteAs a young girl... Read More
Just like the infamous thank you page that a buyer... Read More
Creating a lucrative online business is not an easy task.... Read More
Several months ago I went on the cruise from hell.... Read More
When the economy is booming, you may do well in... Read More
So you finally created the website that your business or... Read More
What secret dreams do you have for your Internet marketing... Read More
That is a great question!We all know by now that... Read More
After running an online business (web site design) for a... Read More
Just yesterday a colleague of mine, whom I'll call "Sandy,"... Read More
The day has come for your new website to go... Read More
How many times have you heard that posting on FFA... Read More
There's one thing that's sure-fire guaranteed to ruin your profits... Read More
Niche marketing has always been a key any success in... Read More
Exponential Multiplication a Real Life Example:Double a penny every day... Read More
If you have zero budget then this is the article... Read More
Everyone is using them now and if you're planning on... Read More
Are you getting disgusted with your results as an internet... Read More
Do web surfers really bookmark websites anymore? A good friend... Read More
Internet Marketing is not dead. But it may have caused... Read More
In my opinion, one of the 'Golden Rules' of Internet... Read More
Although the vast majority of website traffic is the direct... Read More
Internet marketing by definition is "the use of the Internet... Read More
It is important that anybody with a significant online presence... Read More
Ever hear about an idea that is so simple yet... Read More
Actually I love the techniques I will explain below. These... Read More
The market world is increasingly becoming specialized. Instead of offering... Read More
The current climate on the internet is very unfavourable to... Read More
What happened on your website yesterday? What about last week... Read More
One day I was talking to a friend who had... Read More
A Internet marketing plan provides you with a way to... Read More
Where do I start if I want to be an... Read More
NO, that's not one of my secret dreams :-) It's... Read More
No matter what business you are in there is a... Read More
OK, you've been bustin' your butt trying to make money... Read More
Dear Cathy:I just found an interesting article on someone else's... Read More
Creating mini-sites that grab your browsers and prime them into... Read More
Internet Marketing |