Consumers are searching for your products and services online – but – is your website getting found?
What has profoundly transformed the way people learn about and shop for products? The Internet! I know what you’re going to say…well, duh Sandra! However, it was only a mere ten years ago, that companies reached their consumers through trade shows, print advertising, and other traditional marketing methods. Ten years later, these same consumers start their shopping experience by looking on the Internet, in the search engines, the blogosphere, and social media sites.
So, in order to remain competitive, businesses’ websites need to be found online by the consumers already searching for the products and services that you sell.
The question is this, how do businesses get found online by these consumers searching for their products and services?
This first post, will be one of a 5 part series. I think the best place to start is with – Outbound vs. Inbound Marketing
Outbound Marketing: Interruption – telemarketing, tradeshows, direct mail, email blasts, print ads, tv/radio ads
Inbound Marketing: Permission – search engine marketing (SEO & PPC), blogging, social media
Since the Internet has changed the dynamics of the business world, the old passé marketing method of using “outbound” marketing techniques such as trade shows and print advertising, are becoming less and less effective for several reasons.
Marketers who push out a message far and wide hoping that it resonates with a few individuals, are sending that very message out to people who are getting better at blocking out interruption-based marketing messages.
Think about it, the average person is inundated with thousands of outbound marketing interruptions per day – and that same person is rapidly figuring out more creative ways to block them out, including caller ID, spam filtering, and on-demand TV and radio.
Rather than interruption-based marketing messages, the Internet presents quick and easy ways for consumers to learn and shop.
For example: Now, instead of flying to a trade show across the country, a consumer can save money, time and energy by going to the Internet to research and purchase products or services. All from the comfort of their own home, sitting in their pj’s and sipping on a nice hot cappuccino!
So how do we reach these consumers who are going to the Internet to start their purchasing process? In order to remain competitive, businesses need to utilize “inbound” marketing techniques to “get found” by the consumers searching for their products and services online.
How you are using inbound marketing techniques for your business?
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