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So, What's the Big Deal about Web Site Marketing?
Well, It does not matter how exceptional your Site may be, if no one knows where to find you or that you exist, your business will fail!!
Marketing is your web site's Life support system. Without it new visitors will not come, regular visitors will dwindle and the possibility of success will die. Don’t take marketing lightly. Give marketing of your web site the same time and consideration you would give any off-line business.
Marketing Online is no different than marketing Off-line. Take a moment to consider how you would market an Off-line business.
  • Fliers on bulletin boards
  • Classified and/or display ads in newspapers, magazines, newsletters,....
  • Banners and signs in front of your store or office
  • Salesletters
  • Business cards
  • Promotional updates sent to customer mailing list
  • Direct-mail announcements
  • Endorsed-mail announcements
  • Business groups and association membership
  • Shoulder rubbing with potential clients through common interests
  • Classes or seminars to educate people about your product or service
  • Free Promotional giveaways to draw a crowd
  • Business listing in the local directory
  • The list goes on.
Consider how these Online marketing techniques are similar off-line methods.
  • Online bulletin board announcements
  • Classified and banner ads on Online newspapers, magazines, newsletters
  • Banner ads on high traffic Web sites.
  • Sign e-mail messages, newsgroups messages, etc. with your name, business name, and your web site address. (like your Online business card)
  • E-mail business and promotional announcements.
  • E-mail endorsed business and promotional announcements.
  • Socialize Online with people in like businesses and interests.
  • Offer free informative reports Online geared toward your target audience.
  • Free Online Promotional giveaway to build traffic to your site
  • List your Web site in Online directories and search engines
  • The list goes on.


Is that it!! Has the secrets of marketing Online been unveiled?!!

Of course not. The Internet is a medium that changes on a daily basis. One day newsgroups and billboard posting is all the rage, the next day direct emailing takes the prize. It is up to you to stay on top of and in touch with what works if you want to succeed.

Don’t sell yourself short. If you know how to market your produce, service, or idea well off-line then you may already have a big part of the skills needed to engage in a successful Online marketing campaign. Take what you know and translate it Online. If it doesn’t work, you will know immediately. Try something else until it does work. Quick response is the beauty of the Web. The key is "Just do it"!!

Should Online businesses be limited to Online marketing?

A big fat NO!! There is no better way to create awareness of our web site than through traditional marketing and advertising. In fact, it adds a bit of credibility and WOW-ness to your business by presenting yourself as on the cutting edge of technology.

If you are duplicating your off line business, combine your advertising efforts online and off. While advertising one create awareness of the other. Don’t create a feeling of two different businesses but pull them together as one entity.

Great Tip: One way to create awareness of your web site for your current customers is to set up a monitor in you physical store featuring your Web site. Introduce your customers to your site and show them how to use it.

So what’s the bottom line?!

Be committed to an active marketing strategy!! The final success of your Online business is dependent on it. No need to make the initial investment without the final commitment!!

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