An Internet Marketing Strategy That Lasts a Lifetime

by Theresa Cahill
Copyright 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Today, the internet is the preferred platform for conducting business. However, while the Internet has been a blessing for business, it comes with a few downsides too: competition has increased unbelievably. Whereas earlier, a business had to contend with 10 local competitors, it now has to compete with a thousand global ones.

So what is the best way to ensure that your business is successful and doesn't fall into the list of unheard-of's? To be a successful online business venture, you require a sound internet marketing strategy. The object is the same as any other marketing strategy, except that it is designed for business conducted over the internet.

Components of a Successful Internet Marketing Strategy

Here are 3 key factors you cannot forget when it comes time to develop your Internet Marketing Strategy:

* Build your company's credibility
* You are your web site
* Be seen. Be heard.

Developing an effective strategy along these lines will ensure that you have a successful business. All the three mentioned above are critical items and lack of even one of these can be lethal for the success of your business.

Build Your Company's Credibility

In the World Wide Web, nothing is more important than credibility. If people don't trust your company, they aren't going to spend money on your site. The horror stories about Internet scams have almost become a permanent segment in the morning daily news shows. Building a credible image is invaluable on the Internet, so always tell people if you've been in business for a number of years - that makes people feel better. Show customer testimonials on your website. If others have spent money with you and they're still happy, that makes people feel better. Write articles on topics in your industry. When people see you as an authority in the industry, they will feel more at ease spending money with you.

You Are Your Website

Ever heard the phrase: "You are who your friends are?" Same goes for your website. It has to look clean, organized, and fit the target market you serve or people will view your company as sloppy, disorganized and speaking a different language. Would you give your money to a company like that? Answer questions. Provide relevant information in a clear manner. Your website is your store and how it is perceived is one of the most important aspects to an effective Internet Marketing Strategy.

Be Seen. Be heard.

Of course, none of the other two steps will ever matter if nobody steps foot in your store. That's why you must have a Search Engine Placement strategy that yields results and gets your company site listed near or at the top of the list in relevant keyword searches. Some great ways to improve your search engine ranking include writing keyword-dense articles, amassing as many inbound links as possible and crafting a solid meta keyword and title tag in your website's code.

Your Internet Marketing Strategy is just like an offline marketing strategy: You must have a trusted company image and then be creative to find as many ways as possible to connect with your target market. Follow these techniques and you'll have laid that solid foundation to build on. You can differentiate your company from thousands of others by implementing a well-thought-out, organized, adaptable internet marketing strategy.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Theresa Cahill and Jeff Greer specialize in developing and implementing that effective internet marketing strategy perfect for your online business. Free analysis available at Market-For-Me.com. Theresa Cahill also is the owner of My Wizard Ads, Online Advertising Co-Op, a true one-stop spot for ezine ad advertising, solo ads, targeted traffic, and more!

Keywords: advertising, marketing, classifieds