The 7
Secrets of Internet Marketing
Many marketers have been shifting
their marketing budgets to the web over the past few years. Marketing online
allows you to target specific audiences and easily track return on investment,
commonly referred to as ROI. Unlike traditional marketing methods, results of
Internet marketing campaigns are almost immediate. This allows you to better
evaluate what elements of your campaign are producing results and which are
not. When buying online media, you must be willing to shift your marketing
dollars to the online methods that produce a positive return.
To be successful at
Internet marketing, you must understand the essential secrets of Internet
marketing. These secrets can allow you to achieve success by finding the right
audience, communicating your message properly, and leading consumers down the
path to purchase. These secrets include:
1. Website Directory Listings. Before
you begin any marketing campaign, make sure that the website you're promoting
has been listed in the common directories such as DMOZ, Yahoo!, and Google.
Even if you're using a marketing page off of the root directory of your
website, be sure that the primary site is listed. This ensures that prospects
can continue to find your marketing pages long after you've launched your
campaign.
2. Generating Traffic. In order to realize a return on your investment, you need to
generate traffic to your marketing pages. There are a number of ways to do so
online. Some of the most popular include Google AdSense, Overture, and
Looksmart. Other methods include affiliate programs and targeted website
advertising. Research other websites that have the audience you're looking for
and negotiate favorable ad rates for your online marketing campaign.
3. Marketing Pages. Don't lead prospective purchasers to a generic website. If you
do, potential buyers won't know what to do next. The easier you make if for
prospects to take advantage of your offer, the better. Whenever creating a
marketing campaign online, provide a specific page for leading purchasers to
your product or service or a billboard that showcases the offer. Take the guess
work out of making a purchase and more consumers will buy.
4. Testimonials. Customer testimonials are the most powerful way to sell your
product or service. When consumers hear from those who have purchased and used
your product or service, they gain a certain level of trust and comfort in what
you have to offer. Solicit testimonials after each purchase and use those that
are the most convincing to prospective purchasers.
5. Create a Compelling Offer. Be sure
to offer something that no one else is currently offering. If your offer is
similar to your competitors or is not very interesting, consumers have no
reason to learn more. Of course providing something for FREE is often a great
way to entice potential customers. Maybe it's a 3-day free trial or a free
evaluation of some kind. Be creative, try something new, and measure the
response.
6. Developing Trust. Before anyone will buy from you, your website or company needs
to be seen as reputable. This means that consumers can purchase from you and
not worry about the safety of their credit card information, personal
information, or anything else being exchanged. A good method for developing
trust is to purchase and display safety and reliability icons such as BBB Online,
Trust-e, and VeriSign.
7. Provide a Guarantee. Nothing makes a consumer more comfortable with a purchase than
offering a guarantee. Perhaps you can offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee or a
money back guarantee. A guarantee is a great way ease the risk of making a
purchase. If your competitors are offering a guarantee, you want yours to be
equal or better.
Internet marketing is an
incredibly powerful medium for segmenting your prospects and delivering
targeted advertising. Online, you can easily measure you return on investment
and refine your marketing campaign over time to improve results.
If you are a local
business you can benefit from Internet marketing as well. Look for local
directories to list your business or service. Or, you can supplement your local
advertising with product marketing pages on your website. Internet marketing is
more than just placing ads online, it's using the web to communicate the value
of your products and services.
*.Michael Fleischner is
an Internet marketing
expert and the
president of MarketingScoop.com, the Internet’s biggest source of marketing
information and free marketing resources. He has more than 12 years of
marketing experience and has appeared on The TODAY Show, Bloomberg Radio, and
other major media. Visit Marketingscoop.com for further details, marketing secrets, or
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writing by :Michael Fleischner
http://www.marketingscoop.com
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