| By :
John Kenneth Carroll
So, you are ready to take internet marketing seriously, but you don't know where to start. You're thinking probably a website is a good beginning, but you are not sure. Follow these eight steps and you can't go wrong. 1. Start with a website: Our immediate culture expects REPUTABLE businesses to have a REPUTABLE website SO... 2. ...Stay away from cheap website design solutions: There are too many completely ineffective solutions available. It's really not hard to find someone to take your money for offering little in return. You can hire a college kid, use Intuit or another cheap, do-it-yourself solution, or even buy the software and build a website yourself. But if you want to target customers who want to buy your goods/services, then you will need to take this seriously and have a professionally created website. 3. Make sure you start with the right step: I have worked with hundreds of businesses and for some reason, 99% start with a design. If you want to start on the right foot, PLANNING is Step 1. Designers are good at designing. They don't understand marketing or your business needs. Planning should include your internet marketing strategy (with a specific emphasis on SEO), site architecture, basic client profile, content, complete competitive analysis, etc. A good internet marketing consultant can help with everything from content to color scheme. Don't skip this step. 4. Design: Yes! Now you can turn the designer loose BUT make sure to meet with the designer to discuss all the data you've uncovered and organized in your planning phase (have your consultant attend as well). The plan is your blueprint, so make sure the designer is following it. Most consultants will work in conjunction with designers and some are actually qualified to offer turn-key solutions. 5. Don't be gullible: I can't tell you how many times I have talked to a person who went out and bought software because they decided to be a website designer. "Fly by night" website service providers usually don't have certifications with Adobe or an accredited Internet marketing institution. Experience is a great sign as well, but this can be embellished. Also watch out for unrelated certifications. 6. Analyze and adapt: Track your website and watch for trends. Find out how long visitors are staying on your website, what page they are on when they leave your website, what are your most popular pages, etc., then make adjustments to gain momentum. 7. One step at a time: Don't try to BLOG, Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace at once. Each of these campaigns need to be carefully thought through. Potential customers will not be interested if you talk about being trapped in an airport, or liking the hamburger you picked up that night for dinner. Once your website is under control, seek professional advice on how to surgically implement these tools. 8. If you are not ready to take it seriously, save your time and energy: 99 businesses fail or under achieve for every 1 that makes it. This statistic should tell you that cheap solutions will not work. This formula will work for most businesses as a starter plan. The key is to find a good professional you can afford.
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