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 | | | | - easier to have outdated information on |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