Before starting up any kind of business, one must set up a plan to earn
more than we spend and avoid mistakes along the way. Here are a few
internet marketing mistakes that you should watch out for and avoid:
1. Making viewers wait.
Don't regret paying more for a hostile package that could bring you to
people fast. If your website is constantly down, your server is slow,
your graphics take two minutes load, you can say goodbye to your
potential customers.
2. Technical arrogance.
Never assume that everyone has the latest version of a program to view
your site. Always have plain HTML and text versions ready for these
users who do not have Macromedia's flash installed. Also, take notes
from successful sites. Outsource to a pro for SEO writing, web design,
and programming to invest in a good template for your site if you're
not that confident on your technical prowess.
3. Not marketing offline.
Complement online traffic to your site by marketing offline as well, because no one is online all the time.
4. Not remaining timely.
If you want to attract customers, you need to be updated on recent and
upcoming events that are relevant to your site. If you've got marketing
materials on your site about Memorial Day special and it's June 15th,
you're losing customers.
5. Poor linkages.
Focus on building long-term passive traffic rather than bulk traffic
packages or trying traffic gimmicks. However, be very careful with whom
you align yourself. Some companies operate co-registration and
affiliate programs that violate the CAN-SPAM act and other rules and
regulations. Check out any company that offers you anything ,
especially those who offer you anything that's quick and easy.
6. Giving users the third degree.
Signing up for newsletters or making purchases should be easy for your
customers. Avoid making them go through a number of links or asking too
many questions before complete tasks. You loose 10-15 percent of your
potential customers for each question you ask them.
7. Not using viral marketing.
Let your customers create 'buzzwords' for you through simple 'forward
to a friend' links or 'two for one offers' or offline marketing on
t-shirts and other accessories that your customers can wear. Viral
marketing or 'word of mouth' (in offline marketing lingo) could create
an exponential growth of your site's visibility by spreading from
customer to customer and then business to business.
8. Resorting to cheap gimmicks.
Some marketers resort to goofy and even phony campaigns just to gain
brand exposure. These could be entertaining and even viral but
sometimes those could backfire because they are irrelevant to the
customers and sometimes even to your product or service. Provide
something that convert to sales and not just to generate shock or
surprise. Connect with your buyers in a positive way by providing
products and services that are worth talking about. Associate your site
with quality rather than gimmicks and you'll have customers coming back.
9. Not collecting email addresses.
This is not the same as spamming email addresses because unlike
spamming, you ask for your customer's permission to send them your
newsletters and other updates to your site. Remember that spamming
could cost you because fines could be very heavy when you are found to
be in violation of CAN-SPAM laws. By collection email addresses, you
maintain your target audience and your potential market.
10. Mistaking Traffic for Results.
Only because a lot of people seem to be clicking on your ad doesn't
mean that they are buying. Remember that some sites actually buy
traffic just to maintain top-line business. But if these people aren't
buying, how do you expect to even earn off it? Continuously paying for
this traffic can be expensive. On the other hand, just because you have
enough traffic, it does not also mean that your income is guaranteed
for the next months to come. What you should really focus on is, how
much of this traffic actually converts to sales? Everyday is a
challenge to offer something that your client really needs, to persuade
them that they need what you're offering and that you are offering the
best of what they need. Online customers actually know what they want,
so it is up to your to tell them that what they want is what you are
offering.