For many businesses, Internet Marketing does not include any “marketing”

Okay, so you manage a business that has been faithfully serving your area for maybe 2 years, or maybe 22.  But there’s no doubt that however long you’ve been in business you’ve had to retool your marketing strategy over and over again to adjust to the internet marketing landscape.  You’ve stopped advertising in one channel and started in another as local publications, radio stations, and TV networks enter and exit the market.  You’ve probably built a website, but have you spent any time actually marketing it to your customers?

Many local entrepreneurs have their hands full with simply keeping their website accurate; let alone creating an ongoing internet marketing strategy.  Even as a business owner in the internet marketing field, I struggle with the same problem.   The reality is, though, that with a diverse internet marketing plan you can easily do both.

I am proud of WSI because of the  internet marketing plans we create for our clients that are easy to manage and show real results.  A combination of any of the following can increase new customers and the loyalty of existing ones.  Here are some of the options available to you:

1.  Recruiting new customers:
   1. Pay-per-click advertising (PPC).  Display ads on the searches your future customers’ are making every day to find your competitors.
   2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO).   A variety of techniques that make your website come up higher on search engine results.
   3. Google Places Optimization.  Google places show up at the top of the search engine results for service providers.  Think: the new Yellow Pages.
2.  Increasing existing customer engagement
   1. Social Media. It’s hard to avoid this one.  Communicate with your customers at all their favorite online playgrounds.
   2. Email Marketing. Inform customers about promotions or new services, and keep your company top of mind.
   3. Video marketing. YouTube is the second most searched site on the web to Google.  Give your customers inside looks at your product, key staff, or location.
3. Increasing Sales and Offline engagement
   1. Conversion Optimization.  This is a highly specialized practice that makes it easier for your customers to check out in your online store or encourages other action, whether it’s joining your email list or calling for a dinner reservation, etc.