by Scott F. Geld

 

Marketing your company online requires patience and

persistence. Like every worthwhile investment, you need to

plan on a long-term commitment to reap a good return. Many

Internet marketers pour tons of money into their online

business and expect the returns on their investment to be

lightning fast. There was a boom time when quick profits

were possible. But now it's very much a competitive game

and the time tested strategies of traditional marketing

apply to ecommerce too. Here are some strategies to help

you market your business online:

 

When possible, use free or low cost online services to

build, host and promote your site.

 

Keep your business overhead as low as possible by staying

debt free.

 

Keep up with technology as Internet technology continues

to change. Use it when possible to expand your ebusiness

to a bigger market.

 

Target your audience. Untargeted mass email campaigns

don't work. Most people view this as a form of spam and

are turned off by it. It's really a waste of time and

money and may in fact, be detrimental to your business.

 

Create a newsletter that existing customers can 'opt-in'

to receive. Use it to keep them up to date on new products

and specials you are offering. Send it out regularly. Make

sure you provide useful articles or information in your

newsletter. If you don't, you'll lose your subscribers.

 

Buy relevant targeted advertising from other Web sites.

For example, if you carry a line of dance shoes, buy

advertising on sites that sell other types of dance

things.

 

Try and get reciprocal links with sites that have related

products or services to sell. This way you can build your

user base.

 

Make sure the text on your Web site includes relevant key

words so that you will have high relevant positioning in

search engines and directories.

 

If you display images on your Web site of your products,

make sure the images are high quality.

 

To minimize page loading time, use thumbnail photos so

users can decide what images to enlarge and look at.

 

For each image, provide text that is descriptive and

answers potential questions customers may have about the

product.

 

Make sure your Web site is easy to navigate so that your

visitors can find what they are looking for quickly.

 

When planning your Internet marketing strategy, don't

forget to include your Web site address in your

traditional print media. Direct visitors to your Web site

as often as possible. Remember, your Web site is never

closed for business; it's working for you 24 hours a day!

 

Scott F. Geld is the Director of Marketing for

MarketingBlaster.com, a company providing targeted traffic

and direct links starting at just $5.  For more info: