Small business owners should always find a way to be more competitive and to grow bigger. They have to learn how to innovate and leverage every resource available for them – like the Internet. Nowadays, people are already found online, using the search engines to seek the information they want, spending most of their time on social networking sites to interact with their friends, and directly visiting several websites or blogs to get whatever they need. If you own a small business, and have not yet applied Internet marketing or have not yet hired an Internet marketer to bring your business to more potential customers, here are some of the important reasons why you should integrate Internet marketing to your usual marketing campaign.
The Internet is a big market
The Internet is not only accessible through desktop computers and laptops, but it can also be accessed through most of the mobile gadgets like smart phones, tablets, and even cameras. Even televisions at your living room could already access the Internet. And yes, Google Glass will soon be a common gadget for many people. The Internet is a big market and it will even go bigger in the future. Thus, small business owners should strive to learn how to strengthen their business presence online, whether desktop or mobile.
It is cost efficient and cost effective
Most Internet marketing strategies, techniques, and tactics could be done even with a tight budget. For example, promoting your business through a Facebook Page or through a YouTube Video Channel can be done for free. A company website or a blog could also be affordable than advertising on traditional media, like TV, radio, newspapers or billboard.
If you already have a company website, you can learn search engine optimization (SEO) to increase the visibility of your web pages in the organic search results of search engines, such as Google, Yahoo and Bing. And if you are very creative, you could also create a viral marketing campaign on social media like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to gain great attention from social media users who could also be your next customers.
The Internet is almost even for every size of business
The Internet world is where small and micro businesses can compete fairly with their bigger competitors. No matter how small is your online marketing budget, as long as you will invest time and dedication, you can succeed in your online marketing campaign. Large companies may have higher budget for their online marketing campaign, but as a small business owner you can have the advantage of reaching your current and potential customers personally. The owners of large companies usually don’t communicate with their customers – they delegate it to their employees or outsource it from third parties. As a small business owner, you can personally communicate and keep in touch with your customers and potential customers online to create deeper and more personal relationships
Internet marketing is fun and challenging
Social media marketing, search engine marketing, content marketing, and other forms of online marketing could be challenging and enjoyable, though it could be hard at certain times. Now that most of us are already found online, we have to prepare ourselves for a new adventure. As business owners, we should be explorers of opportunities and enjoy our exploration. The online world is one of those most challenging worlds that every business owner and entrepreneur should explore.
Victorino Q. Abrugar is a marketing strategist and business consultant from Tacloban City, Philippines. Vic has been in the online marketing industry for more than 7 years, practicing problogging, web development, content marketing, SEO, social media marketing, and consulting.
at this avant-garde age where one;s lifestyle is focus on the internet.. Business will certainly have an edge for buyers.
Internet marketing is indeed a very good opportunity for small business owners to promote their business without having to spend too much but can still reach a wide range of potential consumers. Business owners should just do their part in researching for the right marketing strategies that will fit in with their business.