Saturday, December 29, 2007

Internet Marketing

Internet marketing, also referred to as online marketing or Emarketing, is the marketing of products or services over the Internet. The Internet has brought many unique benefits to marketing including low costs in distributing information and media to a global audience. The interactive nature of Internet marketing, both in terms of instant response, and in eliciting response, are unique qualities of the medium.

Internet marketing ties together creative and technical aspects of the internet, including
design, development, advertising and sales. Internet marketing methods include search engine marketing, display advertising, e-mail marketing, affiliate marketing, interactive advertising, blog marketing, and viral marketing.

Internet marketing is the process of growing and promoting an organization using online media. Internet marketing does not simply mean 'building a website' or 'promoting a website'. Somewhere behind that website is a real organization with real goals.

Internet marketing strategy includes all aspects of online advertising products, services, and websites, including market research, email marketing, and direct sales.

Business models
Internet marketing is associated with several business models. The model is typically defined by the goal. These include e-commerce, where goods are sold directly to consumers or businesses; publishing, or the sale of advertising; and lead-based sites, where an organization generates value by getting sales leads from their site. There are many other models based on the specific needs of each person or business that launches an internet marketing campaign.

Advantages
One of the benefits associated with Internet marketing is the availability of great amounts of information. Consumers can access the Internet and research products, as well as purchase them at any hour of any day. Companies that use Internet marketing can also save money because of a reduced need for a sales force. Overall, Internet marketing can help expand from a local market to national and international market places. Compared to traditional media, such as print, radio and TV, Internet marketing can have a relatively low cost of entry. It should be mentioned that, although it may seem a relatively simple task to enter the world of online marketing, sound business strategies still apply. There is still an emphasis on business goals, namely CVP analysis when determining strategy and the overall effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

Limitations
Because Internet marketing requires customers to use newer technologies than traditional media, not all people may get the message. Low speed Internet connections are one barrier. If companies build overly large or complicated web pages, some Internet users struggle to download the information on dial up connections or mobile devices.From the buyer's perspective, another limitation is the inability of shoppers to touch, smell, taste or try-on tangible goods before making an online purchase. However, it is an industry standard for e-commerce vendors to have liberal return policies and in store pick up ervices to reassure customers.

Security concerns
For both companies and consumers that participate in online business, security concerns are very important. Many consumers are hesitant to buy items over the Internet because they do not trust that their personal information will remain private. Recently, some companies that do business online have been caught giving away or selling information about their customers. Several of these companies have guarantees on their websites, claiming customer information will be private. Some companies that buy customer information offer the option for individuals to have their information removed from the database (known as opting out). However, many customers are unaware that their information is being shared and are unable to stop the transfer of their information between companies.

Internet Marketing

Internet marketing, also referred to as online marketing or Emarketing, is the marketing of
products or services over the Internet. The Internet has brought many unique benefits to
marketing including low costs in distributing information and media to a global audience. The
interactive nature of Internet marketing, both in terms of instant response, and in eliciting
response, are unique qualities of the medium.
Internet marketing ties together creative and technical aspects of the internet, including
design, development, advertising and sales. Internet marketing methods include search engine
marketing, display advertising, e-mail marketing, affiliate marketing, interactive advertising,
blog marketing, and viral marketing.
Internet marketing is the process of growing and promoting an organization using online media.
Internet marketing does not simply mean 'building a website' or 'promoting a website'. Somewhere behind that website is a real organization with real goals.
Internet marketing strategy includes all aspects of online advertising products, services, and
websites, including market research, email marketing, and direct sales.
Business models
Internet marketing is associated with several business models. The model is typically defined by the goal. These include e-commerce, where goods are sold directly to consumers or businesses;
publishing, or the sale of advertising; and lead-based sites, where an organization generates
value by getting sales leads from their site. There are many other models based on the specific
needs of each person or business that launches an internet marketing campaign.
Advantages
One of the benefits associated with Internet marketing is the availability of great amounts of
information. Consumers can access the Internet and research products, as well as purchase them at any hour of any day. Companies that use Internet marketing can also save money because of a reduced need for a sales force. Overall, Internet marketing can help expand from a local market to national and international market places. Compared to traditional media, such as print, radio and TV, Internet marketing can have a relatively low cost of entry .
It should be mentioned that, although it may seem a relatively simple task to enter the world of
online marketing, sound business strategies still apply. There is still an emphasis on business
goals, namely CVP analysis when determining strategy and the overall effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
Limitations
Because Internet marketing requires customers to use newer technologies than traditional media, not all people may get the message. Low speed Internet connections are one barrier. If companies build overly large or complicated web pages, some Internet users struggle to download the information on dial up connections or mobile devices.
From the buyer's perspective, another limitation is the inability of shoppers to touch, smell,
taste or try-on tangible goods before making an online purchase. However, it is an industry
standard for e-commerce vendors to have liberal return policies and in store pick up services to
reassure customers.
Security concerns
For both companies and consumers that participate in online business, security concerns are very important. Many consumers are hesitant to buy items over the Internet because they do not trust that their personal information will remain private. Recently, some companies that do business online have been caught giving away or selling information about their customers. Several of these companies have guarantees on their websites, claiming customer information will be private. Some companies that buy customer information offer the option for individuals to have their information removed from the database (known as opting out). However, many customers are unaware that their information is being shared and are unable to stop the transfer of their information between companies.