Nowadays, people spend most of their time online. The Internet has become a medium for almost everything: news, entertainment, gaming, communication, work, dating, arranged marriages, friends for hire—you name it. It’s true.
Approach a random person on the street and chances are you can find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or even Google. Just kidding, don’t approach a random person and ask for their Facebook. That’s creepy.
Because we spend a significant portion of our time browsing the Internet, businesses are rapidly redirecting their advertising and marketing energies to online media. Moreover, this shift allows companies to interact on a more personal basis. Think about it: when you see a billboard, you’re at least 50-100 meters away from it; whereas, when you see an online ad, it’s usually within the palm of your hand (or at arm’s length, if you’re on a laptop). This level of interaction allows companies to be more personal with their target audience. Greater interaction = greater impact. It’s a really powerful tool.
What are the different kinds of Internet Marketing?
Internet Marketing is divided to three main types: web marketing, email marketing, and (arguably the most powerful) social media marketing.
1. Web marketing is the oldest type of Internet marketing in the book. It makes use of e-commerce websites (think eBay and Amazon), promotional and informative websites (MensHealth and news sites), and search engine results driven by Search Engine Optimization or SEO (more on that later). Basically, web marketing is when companies reach out to you using various websites all over the Internet.
2. Email Marketing is, as its name implies, promotional marketing and advertising done via email. Some companies use events, corporate lists, online subscriptions, and the like to get a hold of your email address. Once they have it, they can send you announcements, ads, and offers directly to your email.
3. Social Media Marketing is the newest and arguably the most potent Internet marketing strategy. Through social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, companies can profile you based on your statuses, viewed posts, liked items, and many more. This allows them to collect vital information and narrow down their target market. For instance, when a social media site detects a lot of health-related content on your profile, companies that sell health-related products can ask these sites to advertise directly to you and other users that share the same interests. If you look closely, you’ll probably find a lot of sponsored content as you scroll through your page. Chances are you’ll find a lot of ads that reflect your interests and consumption patterns. If your interested in these subjects and live in these service areas of Portland, Beaverton, Aloha and Hillsboro, just know that we can get you seo work done!