As more and more people are coming to the internet every day, it has become a huge marketplace. Many small businesses are trying to market their products or services on the internet. The following are the key steps to be followed to successfully market your business online:
Domain name:
The first step is to obtain a good domain name. A domain name is the internet address of your website. Try to obtain a domain name ending with ‘.com’ or ‘.net’. The domain name should be easy to spell and easy to remember. Make sure that somebody else has not trademarked the domain name.
Website:
The next step is to build your own website. The site should be professional looking. It should be easy to navigate and easy to understand. The content should be unique, relevant and of high quality. You may either build your website yourself with the help of different software packages or may take the help of professional web designers. E-Mail List:
Try to build your own E Mail List or Opt-in-List. It helps you to communicate with your present and potential customers and to offer them your products or services. Try to collect the names and E Mail addresses of the visitors to your website by offering them something of value like a newsletter, an E Book or an E Course. Send regular newsletters to the members of your list. Make the newsletters short, professional looking and informative. Make sure to comply with the requirements of the CAN-SPAM Act and include an easy way for your subscribers to unsubscribe from your list.
Search engine optimization:
Search engine optimization or SEO helps your site to achieve a high rank in the different search engines like Google, Yahoo etc. A high rank in the search engines ensure a steady flow of good quality targeted traffic to your website. Different SEO techniques such as, keyword research, meta tags, link building etc. may be used for this purpose.
Advertise your site:
Advertise your site in different places. Different advertising methods may be used such as, ‘Pay Per Click’ or PPC advertising, banner advertising etc. Google Adwords is the most popular PPC network. You may also advertise in various classified sites and traffic exchanges.
Buying a product from your website should be easy. You must provide a shopping cart and a credit card authorization system. The whole shopping process should be very fast and efficient, otherwise you may lose potential customers.
Customer support:
Offer a good customer support service. If you keep your customers happy, they will return to your site to purchase more.
