Web encyclopedia Wikipedia describes online marketing as “Online Marketing is marketing on the Internet. It is a type of e-marketing, which in turn is a type of e-commerce. While at first the confusion of experiments, beta versions of websites, search engines and other online devices cause marketers to consider this world of the Internet unknowable and perhaps too unpredictable, there is now a growing body of work to which marketers are now paying attention in order to develop online marketing programs. The most known tools to marketers in the mid 2000s are currently tools grouped into 2 fields: online advertising and search engine optimization.”

However, what this definition does not talk about are details. Is it really worth it? What do I do next? Here is an attempt at solving the mystery.

Understanding the Potential

According to the latest statistics published by internet world Stats the total number internet users currently accessing the internet stands at 957,753,672*. Now for a moment lets assume only 0.1 % of this figure constitutes your target audience, based on this assumption your potential customer base currently stands at 957,753.

Here’s another one according to a latest research the total Online B2C eCommerce transactions in 2005 are likely to surpass USD 133 billion. Again, for a moment let’s assume that your share of this pie only stands at 0.1%, as per this assumption your potential revenue per year stands at 1,330,000

And I am not even going to start talking about the thousands on success stories you hear everyday about some guy making millions out of his garage and a computer, selling items you thought no one ever needed.

Therefore, if you have something to sell, I am a sure that there is someone out there look for it and the Online medium is your medium to get to him.
(Source: http://www.internetworldstats.com/)

Why do we need Online Marketing?

It’s a simple logical question – why do we need online marketing? I mean I have a website with my products listed and it is only a matter of time before someone will end up here… so why should I invest time and energy in online marketing.

The answer is – You are Absolutely Wrong!

Every business needs to be promoted. It’s like if you have a talent and you do not show it or talk about it then no one will recognize you for it. Therefore, like any conventional business you need to market you products online, so that next time someone is looking out they should think about you and in all likelihood come to your website.

Also, the online web space is getting crowded and everyone who remotely understands online marketing is trying to promote their products using this new medium. So chances are that your competitors are already on their way to making millions using online marketing while you are busy reading this article.

Basics of Online Marketing

Online marketing is all about making use of the internet to get your message across to the billions of subscribers out there. Who are potentially looking for you and waiting for someone to meet their needs.

Online Marketing can be broadly divided into the following categories:
1) Website
2) Search Engine Promotion
3) E-mail Based Marketing
4) Online Press Releases / Public Relations
5) Blogs
6) Online Forum
7) Online Ad Space

Websites: Everyone has one and if you are starting a new business chances are that you picked your domain name even before you decided what to call your company.

Websites have been around since the late 80’s are the single most important tool required to establish your online presence. Given the right treatment and attention it can fetch you billions and completely change the way you do business.

For details on what to look for while creating your website or maximize the potential of your website, see other articles under the websites category.

SEO: Search Engine Optimization commonly referred to as SEO has gained increasing relevance in the past 10 years. It is estimated that nearly 90% of user today are using the internet for seeking information and first place they start is on a search engine.

SEO are a set of techniques and activities that can help you climb up the search engine ladder so that next time someone searches for your product you are company is up there.

This website contains articles and information on techniques and tips on how to use SEO to get more traffic on your website.

E-mail / Newsletters: My uncle used to say the one who makes the most noise sells the most and as a matter of fact it is true. Focused e-mailing or newsletters is the best and quickest way to reach your customers.

Some of the advantages includes – instant delivery, tracking and reporting of who has looked at your mailer, instant reaction and response, relatively inexpensive and of course far more interesting then your conventional postal e-mail

There are more then 409 million e-mail boxes worldwide, I think you understand what I am saying.

PR / Press Release: Humans tend to believe and rely on information and opinions from an independent party rather then the source itself. The reason – credibility! – It’s a fact that can be seen given the success of thousands of opinion websites and online review websites such as CNET.

Therefore, it is only correct that we should also use this medium to promote our products. Please see other articles on the website for information on how to use Online PR to promote your product.

Blogs: Finally, everyone has one including my dog, so what’s the big deal? It seems that a blog happens to represent the thoughts and onions of a person rather then some scripted out marketing communication – which makes it more genuine and easier to relate to.

Of late Blogs have been increasingly used by CXO’s and managers to build brands and provide credibility rather then promote products and solutions.

You can also ready about how to build run and manage your own blog and use it for your products advantage.

Online Forums: this is one of the less explored of all the online marketing mediums. The only reason for is that it involves additional effort and the returns can not always be easily quantified.

There are two ways in which online forum can be used: First, develop your own forum and ask your users to discuss future development of the product / service. Second, participate in other independent online forums that discuss general trends of the industry or help solve common user problems.

Online Ads: This is like buying media space anywhere, a billboard next to an important express way or a national daily. However, once again online ads give you the facility to reach a more focused audience and what’s more you can get real time statistics on who clicked on your ad banner.