How to start Internet Marketing
It’s not always as simple as it looks like. Before you jump into the vast field of Internet Marketing (IM) you should clear your head first. Obviously there must be quite some questions in your mind about IM and how to start it effectively. Well to get into the depth of it lets begin with when Internet Marketing really started. Let’s go through its history!
History of Internet Marketing
Talking about the early days of internet, online marketing and advertising was mostly prohibited. But it eventually initiated via electronic mail (e-mail). Specifically speaking it started when CompuServe launched the first commercial Internet product way back in 1983. This marked the history of Internet being used as a marketing medium for the very first time. Just preceding this, we are talking about a time when internet messaging was only limited to the military and the educational institutes such as the universities. But from now on all consumers could send electronic messages to each other via an email address. And the marketers aren’t ones to miss such a golden opportunity and they sure did seize it with both hands.
Moving on to the next decade, it was the time of early 90’s when a browser for Tim Berners Lee’s hypertext protocol became available for a free download from the National Centre of Supercomputing Applications. Initially called Mosaic, it transformed into a more household name called the Netscape Navigator. This marked the origin of the Web, inclusive of internet marketing and advertising. This is when text-based and simple websites were principally used to offer product/service related information all over the world. The Bristol-Myers Squibb was the first company to mark the official launch of an online marketing campaign. Actually it was a US-based drug company that craftily used the online marketing for the first time for the development of public awareness for the use of a certain drug called “Excedrin”. It was basically a drug to deal with headache and given the tax season in 1997, it was creatively marketed as a “tax headache” supplement. The company also provided an online free sample of the drug to American internet users.
Next we move onto e-commerce, with all those online shops around the Web it actually started rather with many reservations. Very few people/companies actually believed the Web would have any impact on their capacity to sell their goods/services. But there was one visionary who saw above all. His name is Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com, launching it in 1995. Back then most business analysts predicted it would flop given the opinion that a customer would not use his/her credit card online. But we all know where Amazon stands today!
Online banner ads came into the market soon as page owners looked for additional revenue streams to maintain their content. The very first clickable web ad was sold by Global Network Navigator in 1993 to a Silicon Valley law firm. Search engine marketing was the next big thing in internet marketing as GoTo.com renamed Overture in 2001, and acquired by Yahoo! in 2003 created the first search advertising keyword auction in 1998. Subsequently Google launched its Adwords program in 2003, although Google wasn’t the first search engine, but in terms of internet marketing it was the first to serve a system where advertisers could offer ads in response to users’ real-time targets. Quite simply it was the major breakthrough till date, as it sits a $20BN market today.
Following in 2007, the tides turned again as mobile content consumption was drastically controlled by a device manufacturer when Apple launched the iPhone. Moreover, Apple allowed 3rd party developers to create their own mobile apps, giving the consumers the option to consume the content and services in their own way on the go. Within a few years the smartphone market evolved into a beneficial marketing medium to consumers with unparalleled ability to customize content, offers and experiences based on the individual’s preferences and location. (The App store)
In the modern days the most apt internet marketing innovation is the introduction of the Open Graph, primarily a Facebook technology launched in 2010. It’s more impactful than the launch of Facebook itself as it’s a technology that gets users to voluntarily present their identity to all marketers across the Web globally. Everyone’s away from those resulting implications by a single click i.e. wherever a Facebook like button is present.
Starting from the very first email marketing campaign to reaching here sums up the history about IM.
What is internet marketing all about?
Internet marketing is all about the effective use of the Internet as a medium to promote/boost your business or sales, otherwise for say just your own identity to the global market via the Web.
The way to advertise products and services, and promote business or brand over the internet with a set of powerful tools and techniques; this is what IM is basically all about. Contrary to traditional marketing this marketing strategy consists of having an extensive range of marketing aspects and mechanisms such as, Social Media Marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) etc.
The change in technology is set at a rapid pace which makes it difficult for marketers to be on track with it. Therefore, they are seeking the help of the internet to grow and adapt their marketing to the online mega zone.
Next is from where to start?
Internet Marketing is a great method that will help you make money with the latest technology, online power tools and low cost. The below-mentioned steps will enable you to get started with internet marketing in a simple manner as it is for everyone to benefit from.
Find a need and fill it/Set goals
Be attentive and have clearly defined goals. Find the answer of “Why.” This “Why” gives you a straightforward idea to decide clear objectives for your business and follow them in a smooth manner? Don’t follow the mistake of looking for a product first; instead go for a market first. The trick is to find a group of people who are searching for a solution to a problem, but not finding many results. The internet makes this kind of market research (Need recognition) easy:
- Visit online forums to see what questions people frequently ask and what problems they’re trying to solve.
- Do keywords research to find keywords that a lot of people are searching, but for which not the competition is low.
- Check out your potential competitors by visiting their sites and taking note of what they’re doing to fill the demand.
- Further you can use what you’ve learned and create a product for a market that already exists―and do it better than the competition.
Write a copy that sells
There’s a proven sales copy formula that takes visitors through the selling process from the moment they visit your site to the moment they’re about to purchase a product. It goes as following.
Start with a catchy headline compelling the visitors with interest to go further. Next describe the problem your product solves, by establishing your credibility as a proper solver of the very problem. A good tip is to add reviews from people who’ve used your product already. Talk more about the product, given its benefits to the user. Make a polite offer, with a determined guarantee. Finally create some urgency and go for the kill (ask for the sale)
Throughout your copy, you need to focus on how your product or service is uniquely able solve people’s problems or make their lives better. Imagine you’re a customer and you’re thinking “What’s in it for me?” Answer that efficiently and the product will be sold.
Design and build your website (Setting yourselves up for success)
Once you’ve got your market and product you’re ready for your web design. You need to determine proper tools to manage your web presence. Distinctive views of every product and service will help you to get more traffic as you have less than 5 seconds to grab someone’s attention. Keep one thing in mind; Simplicity! Other useful things include one or two plain fonts on a light tone background. Navigation should be similar and easy on every page. No use of excessive graphics video or audio if not required for your message. The interface of your website should be user-friendly with the product being easy to buy with no more than two clicks between potential customer and checkout.
Use of search engines to attract buyer traffic (SEO)
Pay-per-click advertising is the easiest and simplest way to get traffic to a brand-new site. First, PPC ads show up on the search pages immediately, and second, PPC ads allow you to test different keywords, as well as headlines, prices and selling approaches. Not only do you get instant traffic, but you can also use PPC ads to determine your top, highest-converting keywords. Then you can distribute the keywords throughout your site in your copy and code, which will help your rankings in the organic search results.
Establish an expert reputation for yourself
The internet is used to find information. Offer that information for free to other sites for more traffic and better search engine rankings. The secret is to always include a link to your site with each delicacy of information.
- Give away free, expert content. Create articles, videos or any other content that people will find useful. Distribute that content through online article directories or social media sites.
- Include “send to a friend” links on valuable content on your website.
- Become an active expert in industry forums and social networking sites where your target market stands out.
You’ll reach new readers. But even better, back linking will help you further. Search engines find links from relevant sites irresistible and will recompense you in rankings.
Use e-mail marketing to make visitors into buyers.
By building an opt-in list, you’re creating one of the most valuable assets of your online business as your customers and subscribers have given you permission to send them e-mail. That means good news as you’re providing them something they asked for, building a lifetime relationship with them. The response can be measured fully. And the best part e-mail marketing is the most cost-effective form of marketing given its high target audience.
Increase your income through back-end sales.
Make customers, not sales! Set up a buy again value for repeat customers because if they’re satisfied with your services for the first time, it’s very likely they’ll go for it again. Try building a lifetime value with every customer by following up with them. Closing that first sale is by far the most difficult part. So use back-end selling and up selling to get them to buy again:
- Offer products that complement their original purchase.
- Send out electronic loyalty coupons they can redeem on their next purchase.
- Offer related products on your “Thank You” page after they purchase.
Reward your customers for their loyalty and they’ll become even more loyal and committed.
The internet changes so fast that one year online equals about five years in the real world. But the principles of how to start and establish a successful online business haven’t changed at all. You are done with everything, such as setting up the goals, research, tools and products. Now, you can opt for sites or networks that you want to use or test to make your campaign successful. Be honest and realistic with your expectations because there is no such thing as a magic want. Hang in there for better results.
What If you’re already in IM but no success?
Don’t worry; let me share you my personal experience. Most of the people doing things in a wrong and unorganized way are the reason they’re not able to make money online. There is one fundamental rule: Be original and offer your best.
Following are some points I’ve highlighted which may be a source of help for you to establish your online business.
- Before starting any blog or website, make your mindset clear. Have a clear business plan as it enables you to move forward in a streamlined direction and avoid going off track for achieving your goals.
- Learn the basic skill set required for any online business including SEO, keyword search, content writing and social media handling.
- Focus on a single platform and master it rather than going for multiple platforms. Be a king of one, instead of being a jack of all trades. Once mastered, move on the next one and repeat.
- There are a lot of ways of making money online so know your best and make the most out of it. Don’t make the mistake of going with the flow and hoping on trying your luck on every other already successful juncture you see. All that glitter is not gold. Bring some originality in your ideas.
- Expand your thinking and problem dealing ability. If something doesn’t work, don’t waste your time; learn quickly from finding out the flaws to fixing them and moving on even quicker. If it still doesn’t, try something different. Just don’t lose heart!
The real game changer is the level of execution you possess. Your focus should be mostly on the implementation phase rather than surfing through case studies and blogs for tips. Almost all courses online are similar, explaining about keyword research and building backlinks and ranking them. Go for it in real time!
Hope this helps, share your feedback with us.