Online Marketing Tools – Ravi Kumar – Business TM

onlinemarketingtools When creating a marketing campaign, a business would be wise to consider online marketing tools. Some questions, which may arise, are: What are online marketing tools? How do they work? How does a business acquire their use? What costs are involved? How can they benefit a business? How do they compare to regular marketing tools?

What are online marketing tools?

Online marketing tools are any tools, found online, which help to market a brand. Tools range from blogs and articles, to ads, social networks, social news networks, email systems, and more. Facebook, Twitter, and Digg make up three current trends, which generate the most traffic in the online world.

How do they work?

Very briefly, Facebook is a large social network, which allows users to post updates about whatever they choose, with unlimited amounts of characters. This network provides marketing via its banner ads, word of mouth, and updates.

Twitter slightly diverges from the social networking aspect by incorporating micro-blogging into the mix. Users choose who or what to follow and receive any “tweets” posted by that entity. Twitter markets by word of mouth and “tweets,” which often contain links to websites and information about brands.

Digg acts as a social news network. Individuals or businesses can post links or stories about pretty much anything (within the terms and agreements). Users, then, vote on submissions and either “dig” or “bury” the story or link. The most “dugg” stories or links stay on the front page of Digg. The marketing comes in with web banners and banner ads, along with word of mouth, and submissions of links and stories.

How does a business acquire their use?

Businesses will find the services of online marketing tools quite accessible. One simply needs to log onto the desired tool’s website and register for an account. From there, the web pages provide clear and simple instructions on how to post an update or follow another user’s account. In order to post a web banner or banner ad, a company must contact the host. It’s that easy.

What costs are involved?

Most businesses can acquire the use of online marketing tools for free. Now, there are some online marketing businesses out there, which provide online marketing services for a fee. However, we are strictly talking about the online marketing tools comprised of social networks and social news websites.

Because these tools act as social network and social news websites, consumers share opinions about different brands. This word of mouth marketing is free and can be very advantageous for a company.

Some online marketing tools require a small fee. For example, Facebook provides marketing for businesses via web banners and banner ads. Businesses compensate Facebook for these services on a “cost per click” basis, usually about 10 U.S. cents per click. That varies, depending on the website and the ad. Aside from that cost, most online marketing tools are free.

How can they benefit a business?

Many benefits can be derived from online marketing tools. The greatest advantage comes from the low, almost non-existent cost to advertise to such a vast amount of traffic. Online marketing tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and Digg host visitors and users in the millions range. There’s no way to compete with that benefit.

Also, online marketing tools provide a further way for businesses to engage consumers with their brands. Consumers know what they’re interested in and choose to follow those threads. In a way, this acts like the opting-in idea of sms marketing. If businesses are wise and strategic about posts and updates, they will provide something of value to encourage the consumers to read on or check-in. This offers further engagement with the brand.

How do they compare to regular marketing tools?

Online marketing tools make up a simple, but essential, part of the equation. By no means, should they replace an overall marketing campaign. Yes, the online world through the Internet makes up a big portion of the business realm. However, mobile marketing is a huge trend right now. Marketing is moving more and more this way everyday. It’s important to find a campaign, which incorporates multiple levels of marketing.

One great thing about the online marketing tools of Facebook, Twitter, and Digg is their versatility. Each of these can be connected to each other and via mobile devices. Because of this leverage, these tools are keeping up with the technology.

Overall, online marketing tools can provide a great way to help a company reach its potential and financial goals. The benefits of generating traffic and further engaging consumers greatly impact a company’s ability to market. Businesses would be wise to consider online marketing tools.

Written by: Ravi 01/04

Bookmark It