Can you imagine how many people go online each and every day for many different reasons? Some have to go online for work, others do it so they can socialize and still others go online to shop. Hence, the traffic online is massive, making it the new means for marketing professionals to reach their target market. So the question is, what are the advantages of internet marketing over traditional marketing?
The first main advantage of internet marketing is the fact that it is so much cheaper, so the budget that you will need to start your marketing campaign is relatively smaller. Can you imagine just how much it would cost to place a TV commercial? The time wherein they show it even dictates the cost per placement. You can go for a radio commercial but the production process alone entails added cost. Let us just say that with every marketing campaign, money is involved. It just so happens that internet marketing is so much cheaper, primarily because it is targeted specifically to the online user at the time they are interested. If a person is searching for products or services, they are looking to buy, and through referrals you can even utilize the popularity of social networks and do targeted advertising there at a minimal cost or even for free!
Another great thing about internet marketing is that you can get the feedback of your target market in a snap. They can comment and ask questions about your post real quick. That way, you can communicate with your customers faster and the sooner that you convince them to purchase the product or service that you are promoting, the better. What is amazing about internet marketing is that it can be very interactive. When you air a commercial, you need to conduct a survey to find out what your audience has to say about it. Online, it is so much simpler because you can skip the survey procedure and still get an honest feedback anyway.
Never underestimate the marketing power of word of mouth. Traditionally, it was said to be even more effective than actually launching an advertisement. That is because people would rather hear a recommendation from a friend or someone who has used the product rather than an advertiser.
The birth of internet marketing multiplies the power of word of mouth because instead of just telling people one at a time, the internet allows a person to reach to as much as a hundred people at one time. One Facebook wallpost can make or break your brand and the product that you are selling, because of the many people who will hear from it. One email can immediately trigger a chain reaction. Hence, utilize the marketing power of word of mouth in your internet marketing. It will surely affect the sales of your brand. Internet marketing really is the new phase of marketing.
Who knows if it will totally kill TV commercials, print ads and radio ads but one thing is certain, it is a great way to speak to your market and possibly sell an item or two to them if you know how.
==== About the author ====
James Peter is a fairly well-known search and Internet marketing tool junkie. He (guest) blogs on Internet Marketing NZ and Social Media Marketing.
