| Everyone seems to be jumping on the internet | | | | three households. |
| marketing bandwagon lately. In the race to | | | | |
| get their business online, many successful | | | | - the internet is still regarded as a source |
| businesses forget to ask themselves some | | | | of information gathering for the majority of |
| tough questions about what they are doing, | | | | your customers. Of the number of visitors to |
| what their expectations are and what their | | | | your site, the vast majority of visitors who |
| plan is to meet those expectations. | | | | are motivated to buy will do so in person. |
| | | | Many people prefer the live interaction when |
| The internet can be a powerful tool that can | | | | they buy. If you have a small business with |
| put you on solid footing with bigger | | | | one location, this may deter customers from |
| companies. On the other hand, the other | | | | buying. |
| companies may have more money to pay for | | | | |
| advertising. Here are a couple of things to | | | | - easier to have outdated information on your |
| keep in mind as you analyze your internet | | | | site, thus timing of updates is critical |
| marketing strategy. | | | | |
| | | | - there is no replacement for good old |
| Advantage of Internet Marketing | | | | fashioned customer service. The majority of |
| | | | internet marketers lack customer service and |
| - your store is open, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a | | | | inquiry response programs. As a result, many |
| week. Further, your customers are worldwide | | | | online visitors to your site will already |
| in reach, and can shop anytime that they want | | | | have painted your site as poor service before |
| to | | | | they have even contacted you. The majority of |
| | | | websites also have poor navigation, which |
| - the cost of spreading your message is next | | | | makes it difficult for your visitor to find |
| to nothing. Emailing your subscription base | | | | what they are looking for. Many sites were |
| is more oftne cheaper than sending a letter | | | | created with a marketing view, not a customer |
| through the mail | | | | service point of view. |
| | | | |
| - updating your subscribers can be done | | | | - is your site secure? Does your customer |
| almost instantly through email. Visitors to | | | | know this? There are many incorrect |
| your website can get up to the minute | | | | stereotypes about the security of the |
| information on each visit. If you are having | | | | internet out there. As a result, many of your |
| a sale, your customers can start shopping at | | | | visitors will not want to use their credit |
| the discounted prices literally as soon as | | | | card to make a purchase. The fear of having |
| they open their email | | | | their credit card info stolen is a clear and |
| | | | present danger in the minds of your visitors |
| - if you have an information sensitive | | | | |
| business, such as a law firm, newspaper or | | | | - there is a lot of competition for your |
| online magazine, you can deliver your | | | | product already out there. By the time your |
| products directly to your customers without | | | | visitor finds you, they have already been |
| having to use a courier | | | | clicking many links. Unless they can find |
| | | | what they are looking for quickly, they are |
| Disadvantages of Internet Marketing | | | | gone. |
| | | | |
| - online marketing is not free. The cost of | | | | - many web visitors expect something for |
| software, hardware, wed site design, | | | | free. What do you have to offer them? |
| maintenance of your site, online distribution | | | | |
| costs and of course, time, all must be | | | | There are many other pros and cons of |
| factored into the cost of providing your | | | | internet marketing. Its important for you to |
| service or product. | | | | consider each when creating your internet |
| | | | marketing strategy. Each of the disadvantages |
| - slightly over 50% of households shop | | | | can be overcome, but only if you view the |
| online. While that number will continue to | | | | customer experience from the eyes of your |
| grow, you are reaching less than two out of | | | | customer, not as an internet marketer. |