Internet marketing strategy for 2011

How many Business Cards will you be handing out in the hopes of building your Business?

How much money are you going to waste on traditional media without any results?

If your website and internet marketing is done correctly you can increase the calls and leads coming into your business.

Many businesses are not directing enough attention to their website or internet marketing and are leaving the major content development decision making to web designers, or even better family and friends.

These individuals though well meaning often have no practical knowledge of your business, industry or client issues.

As business owners we need to build our websites with an internet marketing strategy in mind as a first step, this will lead to a better strategically designed website. This will then lead to better content, website construction, design and Internet Implementation with better return on investment.

A website, built with a positive internet marketing strategy and message will speak to your clients, generate a response, and greatly assist with its appeal to search engines and visitors alike.

A website that speaks to your clients’ challenges, with content that offers solutions to their issues, including testimonials about your services, will engage them to contact or purchase your product and/or services.

The importance of your website cannot be overstated, as 80% of buyers visit a website before contacting a business - this is due in part to the web’s influence in buying patterns.

Your potential clients make decisions quickly as to whether they will call you or ultimately buy from you.

Think of your website as the hub for your Marketing and Branding activities. No matter what marketing style you are using—direct mail, email, referral generation, PR, cold calling, etc.—this style is driving buyers to your website. Your website is the portal by which clients and prospects are using to learn more about you and your services.

They are searching for information to validate you as a professional in your field.

Your potential clients have a need for your service and your website must offer a solution to their problems. You must be able to speak to the challenges that your clients are facing.

If they find what they are looking for, they will take action. They go to your website to form an impression of you and interact with your brand and help you Build Your Business.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.