By: Stephen Dow NetSpeak Solutions
Internet marketing refers to the strategies and tactics involved (both on and and off page) with optimizing the visibility (branding), traffic, sales conversion for websites, blogs and social media. For websites, the first part of an Internet marketing effort involves identifying and optimizing the important keyword phrases for ranking on the major search engines (such as Google and Yahoo!, and Bing). This is called SEO (search engine optimization). By implementing proper SEO, you need to target keywords, optimize page content and properly name site pages for best rankings on the first page of the organic (unpaid) results. This is key because the top 1-3 rankings generate the most traffic, help you brand your company, and achieve optimum sales. This is because up to 87% of all clicks from search engine results pages come from the natural results (e.g., not the paid ads – located above and to the side of main results pages). The remaining amount come from pay-per-click (PPC) search engine ads, display ads, and referrals from other sites/social media and even video (if you use it – and you should).
Another marketing method used by inbound Internet marketing companies to help any website gain traffic and conversions include company blogs, followed by social media sites. Blogs are far more effective, yet social media sites should not be ignored. Recent marketing surveys show there’s not much indicating that social media networks (like Facebook) are actually generating sales – except for large international brands. However, as time passes, this marketing channel may become more valuable (as well as Google +).
Keep in mind that the primary reason for getting involved with ether a blog or social media sites is to build a community around your site, and to actively enable engagement with your clients (and potential clients). Another aspect is to be able to inform and “get the word out” regarding what’s happening with your business or organization. This includes news, new products and/or special offers (etc). By doing this, you’ll not only be getting information out to both users and your potential user base, you’ll also be growing your audience in a more personal fashion. But this will only work if the demographics of your product, and your audience fit. Also, going from a more personal and informative approach can make the sales cycle increase from social media channels. But if building more clients and building trust matters (which it should), then it’s worth it!
RSS feeds are also a great real-time tool for building and engaging your audience. Used on many blogs (like this one) as well as on websites (and more and more on smartphones), RSS and SMS feeds are a great way to provide instant focused information to people who want it (so please subscribe to our blog – if you like this article!). The potential in this area is vast – especially in the video pod-casting area.
Finally, there’s “opt-in” e-mail marketing (not standard spam e-mails). This technique can be quite valuable to those who’ve opted in (because they like your brand). However, its reach may be a limiting factor though (since anyone can instead subscribe to your RSS feed and read company info through many browsers or through RSS readers built ino e-mail programs).
Well that’s all for now, but this is just a taste of some of the marketing topics to come.
