Internet marketing is widespread and many people have forged successful careers in this industry. However, for the great majority of those involved it is a constant battle to achieve sufficient sales to create a decent, lasting business. It is postulated here that those who fail or struggle to succeed have usually not addressed three fundamental questions.
What is Internet Marketing?
When distilled down to the simplest concepts, internet marketing is all about communicating via the internet concerning an idea, service, product or organisation. The communication processes (marketing) involve research, advertising, promoting and selling, using the myriad of available techniques that exist online today.
The research component is often overlooked and yet it is vital to determine what consumers want. Only then can the elements of product, price and distribution be properly addressed. Once the issues of advertising, promotion and distribution are carried out there remain the processes of customer follow-up, attracting new customers and identifying new products, services or ideas. It is a cycle that demands constant attention.
Further, it is important to realise that internet marketing involves the proficient use of a variety of tools that will assist in the marketing processes. For example, web sites, e-mail, ezines, banners, blogging, search engine optimisation, auto-responders and affiliates.
What is the Cost of Internet Marketing?
This is an area that is often under-estimated by many beginning marketers. There is a lot of hype on the internet that suggests lots of money can be made for next to no outlay. It is true that someone starting out can begin with as little as $100. There are some essentials that need to be put in place right away and to which other facilities can be added as the business generates sufficient revenue.
The essentials are an internet connection, an e-mail client, a web site and an auto-responder. Depending on location and budget it is likely to cost at least $800 per year. Once the processes of advertising and attracting traffic to a web site begin, then the costs can run to significantly high figures. There are free traffic and advertising methods but there is also a lot of competition and it becomes necessary to spend money to keep up and win the battles for customers.
It is therefore crucial for internet marketers to do their homework and identify the various promotional avenues available to them and their costs. Only then is it possible to develop a business plan that clearly outlines the cost factors and how they are going to be met.
What are the Benefits of Internet Marketing?
Internet marketing offers many benefits when compared to many traditional businesses. It is vital to recognise these benefits and to structure work patterns accordingly. The key ones are:-
- the web presence goes on working after initial set-up and marketing efforts have ceased
- marketing tools such as ezines, banners and text links may also increase in power over time
- e-mail marketing and auto-responders combine to develop targeted customers and an exponential increase in sales over time
- immediate customer satisfaction with instant delivery of digital products or information
Once these three fundamental questions are addressed then the solid foundation is in place that will help propel the internet marketing business into profit.
Source:
"How to Build An Online Business - Not A Money Maker" by John Delavera.
Ian Purdie - Ian is a retired Australian, currently living in France. A varied career, but the major portion involved working in the field of providing ...
