The very first step in on-line marketing is planning. Your plan should determine why you want to go online in the first place, what you hope to achieve, which forums and chat groups will merit your attention, to whom you'll send e-mail, what your site will show and tell, how you'll register your web site in search engines, and how you'll market your web site to the world.
The key to a killer web site is killer content. The real meat and potatoes of your site will be the information you put forth – your content. It must be relevant, easy to read, clear and valuable.
People will click-off in seconds if your design is a turn-off. Give visitors rich content, meaty information, served up in an eye-pleasing manner.
A key to a profitable web site is the degree of involvement it offers. A web site is an interactive marketing opportunity, so take advantage of it. Involve visitors: ask for information; allow them to register for a contest or freebie; get their names and initiate a dialogue. Don't let them just peek and run.
Producing a web site is easier than ever. Invest in software that does all the hard work for you, or tun to the plethora of talented, independent web site designers.
Your web site's value will increase exponentially if you follow-up with each visitor. You have a golden moment to start a relationship each time a person registers at your site.
You MUST promote your online presence offline or it will exist in a vacuum. Get as many links to other online sties as you can. Offer to trade links with those sites serving the same market as you. Promote your site on business cards, stationary, sign, ads, yellow pages and everything else you promote you business on.
Online marketing includes participating in forums and chat rooms, emailing to people who want your email and having a very visible web site.
A web stie must be maintained and kept fresh constantly. It must be changed regularly. Content, especially new content must be added frequently. Content is the name of the game.
