Effective Internet Marketing Strategies for Web-Based Companies

The advent of the internet has revolutionized the world, including the realm of marketing. While some debate its overall impact, it’s clear that companies in developed countries are increasingly leveraging the internet to market their products. However, many entrepreneurs are still unfamiliar with web-based applications, which limits their use of this powerful tool.

Traditionally, many companies rely on methods like postal communication to request price quotes from associates, which can take days to get a response. In contrast, web-based commerce allows for much faster communication via email. Despite this, some entrepreneurs are hesitant to adopt new methods and prefer to stick to conventional practices.

Nevertheless, research indicates that entrepreneurs are gradually embracing internet marketing, particularly in the US. Internet marketing has shown significant revenue growth, demonstrating its increasing importance in the business world.

So, how can the rest of us use the internet to market our products effectively?

Build a Strong Company Image

If you look at the Fortune 500 companies, each of them has a website in their own name. However, are they utilizing their sites as effectively as they could? Some use it to build a reputation for the company but often overlook the importance of the About Us page.

Many company site owners fill the “about us” page with trivia about themselves, including academic achievements and personal milestones, rather than focusing on the company.

Worse still, some even include their photograph, believing that potential clients will be impressed by their faces and personal stories.

A company should use the “about us” page to highlight its past achievements. Potential clients looking to forge a partnership will appreciate a clear profile of the company’s accomplishments.

The “about us” page should partially serve as the company’s curriculum vitae, building its reputation. A well-designed site also reflects the company’s creativity and organization, enhancing its image and marketing prospects.

Gather Customer Information

The internet has undoubtedly accelerated the marketing process. When used correctly, it can speed up a company’s growth. Companies can quickly gather information about their existing and past customers from their distribution partners through the internet.

Understanding customer purchase patterns helps companies formulate better and more precise marketing strategies and remove poorly selling products from their inventory.

The real advantage of the internet is the ability to automate report sending, which can be updated regularly or as needed. This allows for continuous improvement in marketing efforts based on up-to-date information.

Large-Scale Customization

One of the key marketing roles of the internet is mass customization of products to suit each individual’s needs. Nowadays, a shopper can custom order clothing exactly as they want it. In fact, they can design a shirt themselves, upload it online, and have it made to their specifications.

Customink.com is a website that allows you to design shirts online. You can choose the shirt style, color, add special text, and even include an art design. Just mention the size you need and request a quote. This process is straightforward for both customers and the company. It ensures that the company only produces clothes that customers want, in the required quantities.

Mass customization not only speeds up the selling process but also enhances marketing for companies. There is a high likelihood of repeat customers, even though the feature itself can be seen as a marketing gimmick. This particular feature gives online companies a significant advantage over offline stores.

Ease of Customer Service

Modern customer service has evolved, especially with the use of emails and chat support as primary communication mediums. Many companies now offer online support systems, enabling them to respond to international customers efficiently. Good customer service has always led to better marketing prospects.

Satisfied customers lead to repeat and referral business. Customers can now fix software glitches faster with the help of online customer service over chat support, without having to take their device to a tech store.

Regular software updates, antivirus software updates, and even operating system updates are now part of online customer service support systems. It’s no wonder customers remain loyal to their hardware and software if the manufacturer continually provides updates that enhance their user experience.

Sales and Promotion

Sales are, perhaps, the ultimate marketing goal, and the internet excels in this area. Amazon and eBay are perfect examples of sites thriving on e-commerce. While the internet is the ideal marketing tool for their type of business, it also allows for passive marketing. A customer shopping online may receive recommendations of what other buyers with similar tastes purchased, along with reviews and notifications for promotions and discounts, which can influence them to buy a product they initially had no intention of purchasing.

Wrap Up

If you haven’t yet utilized the internet to sell your products or services, now is the time to explore how it can benefit your business.