Internet Marketing

By: Leroy A. Binns Ph.D.

Over the years the advent of technology has maximized modes of marketing. In the past companies solely relied on traditional medium such as print (newspapers), audio (radio) and visual (television) to elevate business yet whereas as all are still critical to broad base appeal a “new age” society now embraces the internet for its instantaneous attraction.

Organizations are always evolving as they compete to provide goods and services to a clientele in perpetual mood of desire. Further the battle for success while characterized by the quality of delivery is also dependent on spontaneity and cost effectiveness hence the appreciation for the internet. Such application is noted for a series of advertising benefits that would otherwise be lacking. The list includes but is not limited to access to a web promotion plan and a responsive opt-in email list, ranking with major search engines, marketing niche with affiliate, reseller and associate programs and utilization of auto responders. Effectiveness by engagement with the internet can also be spurred by writing and publishing press releases online and by sponsoring contests and giveaways via websites.

In specific terms the technological universe of advertising has become personalized with the explosion of blogging. Once a haven for politicians to share their political perspectives blogging an online diary with frequent updates of one to two pages now pays homage to the seller and his ware with product reviews and announcements and postings of articles. It may serve as a link to an establishment’s main site.

Custom tailored techniques associated with high tech commercial activity also embodies direct email marketing and email newsletters that provide personal relationships with potential clients and builds a customer base. Search engines optimization likewise has gained popularity with free access and the possibility of obtaining additional link requests courtesy of other webmasters.

Another strategic advantage is marketing with pay per click search engines which may favor entrepreneurs in increasing the number of site visitors and possibly customers. In addition while caution is advised as a cost is incurred for the use of e-zine as a source of advertising and publishing articles it remains a conduit for traffic to commercial sites.

The partnership between the internet and business extends to traffic and banner exchanges which determine the amount of displays afforded the user’s page on the network based on number of sites visited. Besides, social bookmarking also opens a window of possibilities – a creation of the web 2.0 movement of 2006-07 with an interactive and user friendly procedure that via the likes of Technorati entertains the ranking of sites thus allowing supplementary exposure by virtue of popularity.

While the social community network comprised of Facebook and Myspace are primarily receptacles of personal pages and audio content commercial contacts emerge enabling direct traffic to websites. The same is true of offline approaches which may utilize print media, brochures, tee shirts, pens, cups, and bumper stickers to name a few in earnest to attract similar attention.

The internet with its vast capacity has forever transformed the world of business and in so doing advanced curiosity and insight into a future of immeasurable potential.