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Local business owners who neglect Internet marketing place their small business at a huge disadvantage. Here’s why according to a recent study by Ipsos Media and Google:
It’s no longer good enough to just have a website. That website needs to show up on page one for multiple keyword searches, and not just on Google, but also on Bing and other search engines.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
How Internet Marketing Helps Small Businesses
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Internet marketing, and especially social media marketing, complements traditional marketing efforts by helping your business connect to customers and build relations with them.
These days, when customers have so many options to choose from, it’s a lot easier to persuade than it is to advertise, and Internet marketing helps you do just that 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And the best part about Internet marketing is that it costs less than traditional marketing. When it comes to social media marketing, it can even be free, if you exclude the time that creating content and socializing with your customers and followers requires.
Yet another reason for your small business to invest in Internet marketing is that it enables you to track and analyze customer data in the form of website and social media activity, purchase history, ad clicks and more. You can then use this data to create personalized, targeted offers and ads which are not only highly compelling, but also cost-effective in the long run.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Internet Marketing and Mobile Usage
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Mobile users should not be overlooked. Nowadays, most people use their smartphones and tablets to find local shops, restaurants, bars, salons, and a variety of other local businesses.
Without Internet marketing, without search engine optimization, without a social media presence, it will be difficult — no, not difficult but impossible — for potential customers to find your business online through their mobile devices.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Different Forms of Internet Marketing
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]It’s important to note that what is generally called Internet marketing consists of several practices and techniques which cover the full range of online communication platforms available.
Most small businesses should be taking advantage of the many internet marketing tools available including: email marketing, social media marketing through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social networks, contextual advertising with Google AdWords, search engine optimization, and blogging. Blogging allows you to effectively communicate with your prospects and clients and share with them your specialized knowledge as well as keep them updated about your business.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Bottom Line
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Because of its many benefits and cost-effectiveness compared to standard marketing strategies, Internet marketing has become indispensable for any small business that wants to be visible online and within easy reach of mobile users.
Considering ever rising mobile usage levels and our everyday reliance on the Internet to search for products and services and compare them, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that promoting your business online is as necessary as having a phone. Without it, you’re limiting the growth and success of your business.
Don’t remain impassive. Embrace Internet marketing now. If you’re not sure where to begin, you can start with an assessment of your small business’ online presence and its Internet marketing needs. It’s free and will show you what’s possible.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]