It is easy to accept that online marketing is one of the major tools of business without asking yourself the question, what are the advantages? Online marketing techniques now dominate the marketing sector, and some businesses are implementing them for the simple fact that they seem to work. However, we know that the latter is never a good reason because different methods suit different businesses. What you have to do is analyse both the positives and the negatives and come to an informed decision. For your information, here are the positives.
Convenience
With web marketing, you no longer need to be open to offer the clients your products. The convenience of the internet means they can surf your site in their own time and make purchases whenever they want. The main advantage is the amount of new business you can complete twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Reach
Everyone is on the web. Seriously, there are hardly any exceptions to that rule. That means that the correct online web marketing strategy will reach huge amounts of people compared to the tried and tested methods of the twentieth century. Whereas a billboard or business cards can circulate your local area, online marketing will reach every corner of the globe.
Cost
Marketing online is a lot cheaper than marketing in store and through outlets. You don’t need to worry about purchasing stock to display in the store or incurring the costs of overheads such as property rental and electric bills. It is even possible to run a business from your bedroom in 2015. Today, you don’t need to spend money you don’t have, and you can cut costs by ordering stock in line with the demand.
Social
Social media and online marketing are not one and the same, but they are inextricably linked. A great online marketing campaign or strategy will incorporate social media and use it as a free tool to advertise. Why? Because there is a link between social networking and growth in revenue. An article by the Harvard Business School Executive Education website highlights it perfectly. In their study, there was a five percent increase in sales with consumers that responded well to the influence of social networks.
Relationships
Online marketing is a great place to make and cultivate relationships with the customers. It is now possible to converse daily and involve yourself in each other’s lives. As a result, there is a multitude of advantages. Firstly, you can figure out what the consumer wants and how their needs adapt and evolve by chatting constantly. But, just as importantly, you can make them feel special so they will always be involved with your brand.
Long and Short Term Advantages
A perfect strategy will hit both long term and short term advantages. Short term you can collect information about customers, retailers, etc. much quicker and use that information to make changes. And, in the long term, you can target a massive amount of traffic and leads that will turn into constant sales and profit.
These are six reasons why every business has an online marketing strategy, even if they don’t know it.
