4 Online Marketing Tips For Your Business

Most of what you will find online about Internet marketing is designed to help you market products and services sold and delivered exclusively on the Internet. The problem is that marketing your own professional services is simply not the same as marketing a retail product or an anonymous business service. You can't sell corporate consulting like you do web hosting; nor can you sell self-help advice the same way you do an e-book or catalogue.

Here are four web marketing tips that should help tailor your marketing strategies to your business

#1 – It's not just about having a great website.

If you don't know exactly who you are marketing to and how to make them aware of your business, the best website in the world won't get you clients. Before you even think about building a website, you should know who your target market is and what specific benefits you will provides for your clients.

The content of your site is much more important than the design. Yes, you should have a professional and eye-catching site, but a brilliant design and dazzling graphics won't pay off anywhere near as well as a clear explanation of why a potential client should work with you. Useful material such as articles, testimonials, and other samples of your expertise will go much further to persuade prospective clients than flashy intros and features.

#2 –Traffic doesn't automatically result in high Conversion rates

It's great to get traffic to your site, but is it targeted?  Are people actually spending time on your site and are they the right people for your business?  Before spending money on classified ads, banners, web directories, or pay-per-click listings to drive more visitors to your site, you need to be sure that your marketing to people who are looking for what you have to offer.  Build relationships online using relevant forums, blogs, free classifieds, social networks, articles, press releases, and videos. 

#3 – Hype rarely results in more Sales

Over the top sales pitches may be effective in selling certain products, but it rarely inspires trust. You don't want to run your web site like an infomercial and risk getting bad reviews online.  Bad press always hurts and can spread like wildfire on the Internet.

Your Internet marketing persona should reflect the same professionalism as the work you do with your clients. Your website and associated marketing materials (articles, blogs, forum posts etc…) should inspire feelings of confidence about your abilities, and communicate your reliability and solid qualifications.

#4 –Simple ''turnkey systems'' that claim to make you rich overnight, won't!

There is no secret formula to having success, both online or offline.  The secret to landing clients is what it always has been -- build relationships and get people to know, like, and trust you.  It takes time and a lot of hard work and dedication.  Anyone saying otherwise is either lying, delusional, or both.
 
If your website, email campaign, and other web marketing activities contribute to building long-term, trusting relationships with prospective clients and business partners, you'll get business on the web. Contrarily if you blast your over-hyped spam to everyone at random, aiming for a quick profit, the Internet won't bring you any more business than accosting everyone you see walking down the street.  Success!