Internet Marketing Tips to Get Web Site Traffic & Keep Them Coming Back
Copyright 2005 Jack ElmyAre you wondering how you can drive more traffic to your website without investing a small fortune in SEO or marketing consultation firms? While at some point, it is wise to invest in some professional services; there are a couple of things you can do on your own to drive customers to your site that are relatively inexpensive if not downright free.
Internet Marketing Tip 1: The Internet is called the information superhighway for a reason. The average web surfer is looking for information, not a product to purchase. They may be persuaded to stop and buy something along the way, but for the most part they simply want answers to their questions and they want it fast. In todays want it now society, your target audience doesnt read web pages, they scan them. With so much information available an experienced web surfer knows they must scan a page, look for relevant information and move on if they dont see what they need. Providing interesting web content may be enough to lure a customer to your site, but it might not be enough to convince them to stay; especially if it isnt placed in an interesting and highly visible layout. Use short paragraphs that are easy and quick to read. Utilize bold print to highlight the most important information.
Internet Marketing Tip 2: Consider offering a free service that is beneficial to the consumer. Offer free update services, a newsletter or an e-zine. If youre worried that this may be too time consuming, put your fears aside. You can obtain free services that will notify you when someone has signed up for your newsletter and through the use of a distribution list on your e-mail you can easily handle circulation for your newsletter or e-zine. Keep in mind, however; when you are putting together your newsletter or e-zine that the only reason a consumer has for signing up and continuing to subscribe to your publication is for worthy information. Dont allow your publication to become a forum for advertising. Provide information that is of real benefit to the reader and that convinces them to re-visit your site. In order to really make a quality publication make sure you include a privacy statement and provide a link in the publication for the customer to unsubscribe at any time if they wish.
Driving traffic to your website doesnt have to be complicated or expensive; it simply requires a little creativity. Try implementing an Internet marketing tip mentioned above. Theres no reason to lag behind in the race for customers when you have the power to drive customers to your site within reach.
About the author:
The author, Jack Elmy, markets paid survey affiliate products on his Web site at http://www.survey-for-cash.com
Why is Affiliate Marketing Popular with Home Based Business Entrepreneurs? Kanaga SivaThe great strides made in the development of the Internet in the recent past has enabled information to be transmitted thousands of miles away with such ease and clarity that time and space are hardly of any consequence to the Internet Marketer today.
Marketing Programs have literally taken over the Internet and riding high, is Affiliate Marketing.
According to the Computer Industry Almanac "The world-wide Internet population for 2004 was 934 million and the projection for 2006 is 1.21 billion."
Sean Michael Kerner in an article in Click Z News quoting a spokesman for eBay states "According to eBay their largest affiliate earned over $1.3 million dollars in January commission, the largest amount yet in their affiliate program's history. Their top 25 affiliates averaged over $100,000 per month each and the top 100 affiliates earn almost $25,000 each per month."
With this sort of statistics around, is it any surprise that thousands of entrepreneurs especially those Home Based Business entrepreneurs with very small marketing budgets are jumping on to the Affiliate Marketing band-wagon!
Given below are some of the Popular reasons for this desire and urge to do Affiliate Marketing:
1. Cost Factor:
Most Entrepreneurs refrain from starting a brick and mortar business or for that matter a Home Based Business (non internet) because of the investment required. In Affiliate Marketing the set-up cost is negligible with most programs being free to join and the merchant even providing you with the tools, tips and websites.
2. Pick and Choose Products:
With dozens of Affiliate Program providers and thousands of merchants having their own affiliate programs, there are several thousands of products to choose from. You name it they have it! In fact there are even Fortune 500 companies to choose from. The idea is to pick and choose your niche products and promote them.
3. No need for an Inventory.
The hassle of purchasing, stocking of items and storing of finished items (in a production unit) and dispatching them are not there. There is no need to maintain an inventory. It is all handled by the merchant.
4. No need for Employees.
In any business the wages of the employees is one of the major expenditures to contend with. Here the problem does not arise since the marketer himself will operate his home business and probably get the assistance of a family member to help him.
5. Necessity for Customer Service does not arise.
Customer service plays a major role in the success or failure of a business. The advantage here is that there is no direct dealing with the customers. The website will automatically direct the customers to the merchants.
6. Two Tier Affiliate Marketing:
An attractive feature of certain affiliate programs is that they have a Two tier system, whereby affiliates can sign up as sub-affiliates below them. When the sub-affiliate earns a commission, the affiliate above him too earns a commission.
7. Income without a limit.
In a paid job the salary structure has a vice-like grip over your monthly income. Here the possibilities are limitless. Though it is not every marketer who earns a big income, the fact remains that avenues are all there for the enterprising marketer to make it to the big time.
8. Global Market Place.
You no longer need to restrict your market to your home town or country. With your well chosen niche product you can sit in the comfort of your home and target the Global Market.
9. Low Risk Factor.
The risk factor in Affiliate Marketing is so small that it has become one of the major attractions for many Home Based Business entrepreneurs especially for those with low marketing budgets.
10. Business works Right Round the Clock.
One major asset of Internet marketing is that your Website, or in other words, your Home Based Business never sleeps. It works right round the clock (24/7) making money from home for you.
Having indicated the above reasons for the popularity of Affiliate Marketing, it has to be mentioned that statistics indicate that only 5% of the marketers do make big money. It is presumed that there are of course several thousands of marketers who make some money, thus giving them an additional income.
As long as the top marketers in the 5% slab, continue to make their millions and the latter continue to make reasonable amounts of money and have the urge to emulate the top marketers, Affiliate Marketing will continue to draw the attention and be popular with Home Based Business Entrepreneurs.
About the author:
Copyright 2005 Kanaga Siva
Kanaga Siva has been a Marketing Manager and Business Manager and has a wealth of experience in Marketing. He now operates his own Home Based Business. For Articles, Resources, Tips and Ideas to start a Home Based Business from anywhere in the World, visit his website, http://www.business-fromhome.com