Online Marketing advertising

The internet has transformed business marketing. No matter what you do, the internet is likely to be at the heart of your marketing strategy.

There has, of course, been a rapid rise in the number of ecommerce enterprises selling goods online. Some operate solely in the online sphere. Many others are bricks and mortar businesses that are also offering products and services via their websites.

But many other business models are using the internet to promote their business via websites, blogs, email, social media sites like Twitter and networking sites like LinkedIn. What's more, internet marketing enables you to carry out marketing activities that range from market research to improving customer service.

Ecommerce

Ecommerce offers many advantages over traditional business models — not least lower overheads and the opportunity to reach wider audiences. You can also improve customer service by allowing customers to make purchases directly from your website. But it’s a highly competitive world out there and to be effective, small firms have to be on top of their game. Everything from website design and search engine optimisation to pay-per-click advertising and safe payment methods must be spot on.

Website marketing

At the very least, a website can help your customers find you, providing contact details and showcasing your work. But the marketing opportunities that the internet presents go much wider and deeper than this.

You can tell visitors about your product or service and promote special offers. You can improve customer service by giving useful information and enabling customers to offer feedback.

Promoting your company online

Social media marketing is now routinely used by many businesses to promote their businesses online and engage with customers and to build their reputation and brand. Establishing a presence on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can allow you to communicate directly with exisiting and new, target markets.

You can also use online equivalents to traditional marketing methods — advertising on other websites that your target customers are likely to visit, for example, or setting up affiliate marketing relationships with other companies.