Internet
Marketing is an unbelievably broad field. With everything from email marketing,
to affiliate marketing to SEO, it can be difficult for a novice to decide what
is going to provide the most benefit for their internet sales.
With a
little over 4 years in the industry, ive seen quite a bit of success derived
from many different sources of internet marketing. However, I would have to say
that there are 3 platforms that absolutely Trump all other forms (for most
industries).
1. Search Engine Optimization
This probably goes without saying, but
SEO is probably the most cost effective form of marketing with the highest
return on in investment. Aside from the cost of hiring professionals to get the
job done for you, ranking well in the search engines is free.
I put SEO at the top of the list
because when you are ranking well within the search engines, you are placing
yourself directly in front of people that are specifically looking for your
product or service. This is unique to ANY other form of traditional marketing.
With traditional marketing, most of the time you are trying to get yourself into
places where your target demographic is and hoping that they just happen to be
interested in what you have to offer.
Not with SEO. They are looking for you, it’s your job to be there.
2. Pay Per Click
Regardless of what anyone says, PPC
marketing is effective. Obviously, SEO has many advantages over PPC. However,
PPC is an excellent addition to any internet marketing campaign. You can
literally start seeing results from a PPC campaign overnight.
3. Social Media Marketing
Im really not a “bandwagon” kind of
guy. Actually, when I see a bandwagon start rolling, Im usually the first to
skeptically investigate. However, with Social Media Marketing, I can say that
it’s definitely a bandwagon you want to be on. With over 60% of Americans using
social media, it would be an internet marketing sin for you to not be there
when your customers are looking for you.
Social Media Marketing can also be
used as a way to boost your SEO campaign and it is a huge way to keep residual
traffic flowing to your site.
Anyways, I’ve done enough babbling for
one day. Please have a fun, safe and long memorial day weekend!