Internet Marketing – Advantages and Disadvantages

Everyone seems to be jumping on the internet marketing bandwagon lately. In the rush to get their business online, many successful businesses forget to ask themselves some tough questions about what they’re doing, what their expectations are, and what their plan is to meet those expectations.

The Internet can be a powerful tool that can put you on a solid footing with larger companies. On the other hand, the other companies may have more money to pay for advertising. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when looking at your internet marketing strategy.

Internet Marketing Advantage

– your store is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, your customers are accessible to everyone and can buy at any time they want.

– the cost of spreading your message is almost nil. Sending an email to your subscription base is usually cheaper than sending a letter in the mail.

– Updating your subscribers can be done almost instantly via email. Visitors to your website can get up-to-the-minute information on every visit. If you have a sale, your customers can start shopping at discounted prices literally as soon as they open your email.

– if you have an information-sensitive business, such as a law firm, newspaper or online magazine, you can deliver your products directly to your customers without having to use a courier service

Disadvantages of Internet Marketing

– Online marketing is not free. The cost of software, hardware, website design, maintaining your site, online distribution costs, and of course time all need to be factored into the cost of providing your service or product.

– just over 50% of households shop online. While that number will continue to grow, it is reaching fewer than two out of three households.

– The Internet is still considered a source of information gathering for most of its customers. Of the number of visitors to your site, the vast majority of visitors who are motivated to buy will do so in person. Many people prefer live interaction when shopping. If you’re a small business with one location, this can keep customers from buying.

– it’s easier to have outdated information on your site, so timing of updates is critical

– there is no replacement for good old fashioned customer service. Most Internet merchants lack customer service and inquiry response programs. As a result, many online visitors to your site will have already painted your site as poor service before they have contacted you. Most websites also have poor navigation, making it difficult for your visitor to find what they are looking for. Many sites were created with a marketing vision, not a customer service point of view.

– Is your site secure? Does your customer know this? There are many incorrect stereotypes about Internet security. As a result, many of your visitors will not want to use their credit card to make a purchase. The fear of having your credit card information stolen is a clear and present danger in the minds of your visitors.

– There is already a lot of competition for your product. When your visitor finds it, they have already clicked on many links. Unless they can find what they’re looking for quickly, they’re gone.

– many web visitors expect something free. What do you have to offer them?

There are many other pros and cons of internet marketing. It is important that you consider each when creating your internet marketing strategy. Each of the cons can be overcome, but only if you view the customer experience through the eyes of your customer, not as an internet marketer.

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