Internet Marketing Guide

If you are considering launching a website for your business or entering the lucrative world of e-commerce by starting an online business, there are a few things you need to keep in mind in order to assure your web site’s success. Without taking the time to understand how the Internet and search engines work you will certainly guarantee that no one will see your site. The Internet is a whole new ball game when it comes to marketing. Invest a few minutes in making your website a success by browsing through the tips listed in the Internet marketing guide below.

Simply launching a web site and hoping the search engines will pick it up or that someone will stumble upon it isn’t a very effective strategy. The first Internet marketing guide step you need to employ involves your domain name. The domain name you select needs to be easy to spell, visually attractive and relative to your business. It can be very tempting to come up with a name that either includes a version of your own name or a cutesy or unique domain name (example: www.bobsuseddvds.com or www.gourmetkoffee.com) however the sad reality is that this type of combination is not very efficient for several reasons.

First, it can be a little difficult for the average surfer to remember, particularly if your name is a common name. Secondly, as in the example listed, you end up with too many of the same letters of the alphabet. This example has far too many of the letters S and D. Finally, you need to select a name that will stand out visually and that is easy to remember and spell. While the term ‘gourmet coffee’ relates to a specific business and is easy enough to remember, the unusual spelling of coffee could result in the opposite effect of what you are trying to accomplish. If the domain name you would like for your business has already been registered by someone else, consider using a different extension. Not every domain name needs to end in .com. There are other extensions available. Also think about re-arranging words or adding words to make the name unique and still easy to remember and spell. For example, while the domain name gourmetcoffee.com might already be taken; chances are www.gourmetcoffeeforyou.com probably isn’t.

You also need to give some serious consideration to how you are going to reel your customers into your site. Most Internet consumers do not surf to initially make a purchase. A large majority of your potential customers are looking for information. You need to be able to provide them with the information they want, for free, and then persuade them to purchase your product. Simple loading images of your products and listing prices won’t make very many sales. There are several Internet marketing guide techniques you can use to lure customers to your site.

Provide articles that relate to your subject. If you sell a variety of vitamin and mineral supplements, you could offer articles with information on the various benefits and uses of each type of supplement you sell. Make sure the articles contain a healthy quantity of the words someone would type into a search engine to look for information on that supplement and you’ve taken your first step toward search engine optimization. That wasn’t so hard, was it? Remember, the steps of an effective internet marketing guide is really composed of nothing more than thinking like the average consumer.

Part2

Internet Marketing Help Hint #1: Surveys: To find out what your customer thinks of your site try using a survey. A little constructive criticism can go a long way in helping you build a quality site that people are eager to visit and refer others to visit. There are very few other ways to find out what your customer really thinks, wants and needs besides a survey. If you’re concerned that people won’t take the time to complete a survey you can always entice them with something for free in exchange for completing the survey or even adding their name to a pool for a giveaway.

Internet Marketing Help Hint #2: Guestbook: Members of your target audience that are skeptical by nature want some reassurance that you’re who you say you are and that your product or service really delivers. Adding a guestbook to your site can help to reassure your customer by providing comments from others who visited your site, found something useful and were satisfied. If you are concerned that you might end up with rude or vulgar comments that hurt your reputation more than help, it is very easy to add a guestbook that allows you to preview any comments before they are posted. With this type of guestbook you have the control over whether to delete a comment or allow it to be inserted on your site. One bad apple doesn’t have to spoil the basket.

Internet Marketing Help Hint #3: Coupons: There is a significant portion of your target audience that are coupon clippers. No matter who they are, you can bet some of them can’t wait to get the newspaper and start clipping away. While this ploy won’t work for everyone, there are some people who can’t resist the lure of a bargain; saving a percentage off the regular price of a product or service. They will be more than happy to visit your site once a week to find out how much money they can save with the coupons you offer. If you’re concerned about taking a piece out of your profit try combining offers. Two for one or 10% with a minimum purchase gives you the flexibility of still offering a valuable coupon to the customer while making sure your profits don’t take a dip.

Jack Elmy's web site provides information on the basics of creating business plans that get results and will help you succeed in your business, visit: http://www.900-business-plans.com
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