FC Member Blog

Web Marketing - The Strong Business Credit Way

BY Ilya Bodner | 04-15-2010 | 7:48 AM

This blog is written by a member of our blogging community and expresses that member's views alone.

WEB
MARKETING

Many
companies are no longer satisfied using snail
mail, faxes, radio, television, newspaper and magazine media
advertising. If you are starting or own a small business and find that
these media are not providing the results you want, it may be time to explore
the benefits of website marketing.

Statistics
prove that consumers are spending over $93 billion online, resulting in
expenditures of over $137 billion offline for products that customers found
online.

However,
having a website does not replace a company brochure or pamphlet. Three-to-five
contacts are generally required in order to close a sale. Website marketing
provides ongoing communication, relationship building, and trust with the
consumer by continuous exposure of the company’s name, products and services.

In this instant information era, business websites increase interest by offering informative
articles to engage the customer. Popular websites offer something for free—such
as useful solutions, helpful hints, samples, courses or newsletters—to increase
web traffic and reinforce the company’s credibility. For the same reasons, it
is vital to maintain a continuous flow of current articles on the
website. Content is key to obtaining and maintaining customer
interest. With the advancement of website development and knowledge,
people’s expectations have increased. Meeting the increasing demand for
excellence is a very real concern in the responsibility of website
maintenance. This includes current updates to material content, easy
navigation, in-depth content information pertaining to the topic material, as
well as a fast load and response time.

In
obtaining the client’s email address, a database can be built. Keeping the
lines of customer communication open and consistent is essential. Customers are
reassured when they know they have a means of contact, whether it is for
customer service or information. Moreover, this database becomes a
marketing goldmine tool for the company.

Websites
can facilitate customer response by offering immediate auto-reply emails. We
live in a world of instant gratification, which also applies to customers’
requests. They expect excellence in customer service, especially with so
many online competition choices.

Having a
website presence can increase an advertising response rate 30-40%, when a website
address/URL is included in the ad. Commonly referred to as the information superhighway, this virtual
availability enables your business to do business 24/7/365 anytime, anywhere. Among the many values of marketing
on the web:

ü Global outreach made easy

ü Easy means to ship products
worldwide

ü Gain and retain customers more
easily

ü More cost effective than print
advertising, with more flexibility of updating new information

ü Conversion of prospects into sales

ü Convenience of 24-hour at-home
shopping via an online catalogue

ü 24/7/365 brand exposure

ü Anytime, anywhere communication
builds customer trust

ü Allows your business to earn money
while you sleep

ü Increased revenue by selling
advertising space, online products and information

ü Allows customers to shop in the
comfort and convenience of their own homes

ü Entertainment, advice and general
interest information