There was a time, not too long ago that advertising online was an option. There were some businesses that considered it, some embraced it and others just ignored it. In today's business world we are seeing a paradigm shift if you will. There are new online methods and techniques that are become not only more efficient in reaching our consumers, but they are cost effective as well.
To prove my point consider the latest statistic provided by Internet World Stats, we have seen an increase of 380.3% of internet users since 2000. This number will only continue to grow.
Consumers are not only becoming more comfortable purchasing online, but many of them are starting to prefer online shopping to traditional shopping. We can use online marketing to reach these consumers in new ways. Online marketing enables us to target our marketing messages to specific consumers and the end result is better conversion and an increased return on our investment for our marketing dollars.
There are many methods of marketing online including website marketing, search engine marketing, social media, affiliate marketing and content marketing. It's important that each business weighs the pros and cons of each method and then choose the method or methods that will work best for their business. I've put together information regarding five popular online marketing methods and what I think each business should consider when delving into the online space to market products or services. I believe these steps will help in creating an effective online marketing strategy and increase the chances of online marketing success.
Laura
I have to agree.
Without an online marketing focus the majority of businesses will fail. But now is also not the time to ignore traditional marketing … provided the two are integrated.
While we are thinking online though it isn’t all about Twitter and websites .. although they are important … using things like Google Alerts, Google Maps and all the other free marketing channels also has a place in my marketing mix …. and really work well.
Doesn’t the fact that so many companies are rushing toward online marketing imply there will be less competition through traditional media?
How much email is junk mail today vs. 10 years ago? Far more than postal junk mail.
It’s important not to throw the baby out with the bath water. Traditional direct marketing is still very effective and can be more so when combined with online marketing, especially when the competition begins to focus on the latter at the exclusion of the former.
Multi-channel marketing is crucial to gain an advantage.
A really great article that is right on! If you have a business and are not using online marketing you haven’t got a chance. More and more the old brick and mortar businesses are dissapearing and shopping online is on the increase.