If you’re an Internet marketer or just a small business using Google AdWords for your advertising, it’s important to keep on top of new developments so that you can try to enhance your results. Any time something new comes out, it’s worth considering and perhaps doing a trial run to get some statistics on it. If the conversion rate and click through rate are high enough, it may be time to add a new element to your advertising campaign.
 image extension for ads One such possibility right now is Google AdWords Image Extensions, which is adding pictures into advertisements in an effort to enhance both click through rate and conversion rate by providing high quality traffic.
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a very popular paid search marketing technique. It is an advertising model in which advertisers pay whenever their ads have been clicked. Given the competition in the market today, PPC is something very hard to ignore. PPC is more than a business opportunity; not using it can be actually a threat to your business if online searchers see an ad from your competitor and none from you.  business ppc campaign Why PPC Can Benefit Your Business?
The primary, underlying principle of PPC’s effectiveness is its value for the advertisers. You will be advertising to people you are looking for a brand, product, or service that you have so it means that you are making your business visible for the people who have the interest for it. Unlike advertising through a radio or a TV commercial wherein marketers make unknown products and brand popular to people, PPC is targeted for people who already knows what they are going to do with the information they will find in search results.
In other advertising forms may it be traditional or online, advertisers have to pay whether anyone has been compelled to buy or not. With PPC, you only have to pay for every valid click directed to your website or landing page.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a search engine marketing technique that requires understanding and skills on the tasks to be done. Unlike pay-per-click advertising, SEO does not require any payment on the search engine,so if you plan it well, you can design it to be as cost-effiecient as possible. Though SEO asks tremendous hard work, the benefit it gives back are worth all the challenges when it is surpassed.
 When you are told to market your business online and try SEO to make your website visible in search engines, you may feel as if you have been told to fly right now to the moon. There is simply so much to do, that you may not be able to do things all at once to reach your goals for your business. However, you have to remind yourself that SEO is marketing, and having been able to put up a business that requires tremendous skills, planning and conceptualizing, having your online page to undergo SEO may not be hard as you imagined.
What is the primary goal why you should implement SEO?
To get on the first page of popular search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing so you can attract more website visits, turn those visits into leads, and generate profit.
Assuming that you already own a website to work upon, below are tips to do Search Engine Optimization:
Make sure that your website will be indexed – If you are to implement only one SEO technique, make it getting your website crawlable for search engines. To know why this is vital, you have to understand the search engines rely on automated programs known as search engine spiders or bots. This program moves internally and externally through your website’s links to store copies of information in the search engine’s index. Given the size of the World Wide Web, these indexes are massive database of thousands of websites wherein the algorithm gets the pages relevant to particular search terms.
Since these programs are pretty automated, traveling to your WebPages links, you have to ensure that the path for the “crawlers” is clear. Enroll your website to Google’s Webmaster Tools to find out any crawl errors that may limit your site from getting indexed.
Identify your keywords – SEO relies on keywords or key phrases directly related to your website. These are the specific search queries that users encode in search boxes. For a start, you need to determine the set of keywords directly related to the products or services that you offer (called industry keywords) as well the keywords or phrases based on your company name (called branded keywords), this can be a tagline or the website URL.
In determining the keywords you will use, you have to choose in a mix of industry and branded keywords, to make sure that you will succeed using these key phrases, base your selection through:
- Search volume – Determine the related keywords with the most number of searches. You can use Google AdWords Help to find this out.
- Keyword competition – The keyword you might be eyeing have tough competition to beat. Unless you have enough funds for your campaign, you can go and join the competition. If you are working under a limited budget, you can first go for low-competition key phrases. As you gain value from search engines, you can start working on high-competition keywords since you already have the edge to compete.
- Search intention – Do not forget the main intention of the users when they search particular terms. Target keywords that are completely relevant and offers results that answers users’ queries.
 Photo Credit: seomagz.com Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is one of the most popular Internet marketing techniques you can implement in your campaign. However, there still are many people who are getting confused between the difference of SEM and SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
The SEM and SEO Difference
It is not surprising for an average internet marketing shopper to wonder about the difference of the two aside from the last word of course. SEM and SEO are not that difficult to differentiate. SEO is a part of SEM which encompasses a broader practice. SEO is more likely to be SEM's subcategory, but it does not necessarily mean that it is of lesser importance. In fact, SEO can be a stand-alone strategy as long as properly and effectively done.
When we say that an internet marketing company offers Search Engine Marketing services, it means that they are offering various services that can include, but not limited to SEO. What are the processes under SEM?
- Search engine advertising
- Search engine optimization
- Social media marketing
- Search engine reputation management
- Link development
- Content marketing
Why SEM is Important?
Website owners who wanted to bring their products and services into the eye of the online users should execute SEM techniques. The internet is becoming more and more popular, and businesses cannot disregard the ability of SERPs in reaching out prospects. As what we mentioned above, SEM is a broader practice as it incorporates both paid and unpaid strategies in increasing website rank (SEO and PPC). Though it requires thorough knowledge and skills, SEM can make a big difference on how your business performs online.
How To Start SEM?
Like the way you will start internet marketing, you can also do SEM strategically in two ways—to do it yourself or ask an expert to assist you on the job. However, the tough competition on the web and the complexity of the process can make it difficult for a newbie to learn it all. Even online marketing experts are experiencing hard times in the practice since Search Engine algorithms continue to change and update more than before. Though the process is not that easy, everything can fall right into place if you have expert professionals working for you.
If you decided to hire an internet marketing expert, make sure that the one whom you will trust with your business is reliable, credible, and experienced. Results is what you are after for your investments to return, and you cannot simply let the wrong hands handle your campaign.
In addition, SEM includes Pay-per-click advertising that requires payment for each valid clicks. Every click means spending, so it is important that your campaign have well-made plans and processes starting from keyword research to finally purchasing those essential key phrases. Take your campaign slowly but surely. Google is becoming strict more than ever to websites participating in marketing campaigns. Remember that your consultant should not only knowledgeable with the online marketing process, but also with the guidelines of Search Engines especially Google.
 If you have made up your mind choosing the right internet marketing consultant to help you in your campaign, you are in for a world on new opportunities online—new wide market, and new marketing approach. No matter kind or size of your business is, opportunities await you in the world wide web. Everyday, websites around the globe are giving their best efforts to maximize its advantage and you cannot afford to miss it.
Knowing what your business can gain from online marketing is essential for your to understand its functions in helping you beat the competition. To those who are neophytes in the field, internet marketing, is a marketing or advertising effort that uses the World Wide Web as medium. Like traditional marketing endeavors, it is a process of promoting a product, service, or brand to targeted market though in her, it will be the online audiences. Both creative and technical aspects of the web such as website development, design, advertising and sales are used for its implementation. Strategies may differ, but the common goal is to increase profit and generate brand/product awareness.
What are the types of Internet marketing techniques you can use for your campaign?
- Affiliate Marketing – It is a performance-based marketing strategy, a practice where a business/owner rewards an online retailer or affiliate for every visitor/customer they bring to the business.
- Display Advertising – This is common and widely used advertising method through creation of banner ads and pop up ads. These ads are mostly displayed on sites of related niche and redirecting to the business' website to boost traffic or visits.
- Email Marketing – It is a very popular internet marketing technique. As the name suggests, it is an online marketing strategy directing a promotional or commercial message to a targeted group of people using electronic mail.
- Inbound Marketing – A form of website marketing using of informative and useful content like blogs, newsletters podcasts, videos, and more. Inbound marketing shares valuable resources to target consumers while indirectly convince them to be loyal to your brand/products/services.
- Search Engine Marketing – SEM is a broad topic in its own right, like SEO and other trusted strategies when it comes to effectiveness. It promotes a business by increasing its visibility in Search Engines Results Pages (SERPs). Search engine marketing is like the mother of other online marketing tactics as it carries paid advertising, contextual ads, paid press releases, and SEO.
- Search Engine Optimization – Affecting website's visibility in the SERP’s natural, or unpaid search results is what SEO does. This is a strategy under search engine marketing, but can be standalone technique.
- Social Media Marketing – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest are the most popular social media platform of today. These networks have millions of users. Users that can be your business's potential client. By creating a social media page, you can make your product near their access.
If your business is already engaging in other advertising campaigns say traditional media, do not hesitate to bring your business brand into the online world, not because it is a trend, but because it can be your business's ticket to success.
 Business Online Businesses planning to conquer the online world understand that internet marketing is beneficial for them to reach that goal. The tough competition is a challenge that you have to surpass and without ample knowledge in conceptualizing a marketing technique, it will be near impossible for you to reach your marketing goals. Business is one act of survival, you have to extract all the resources that can be used for you to meet the demands of your customers and making more them aware of your products and services.
If you are a start up business who dreams big in your chosen industry, do not let go even the challenges become too much for you to bear. You cannot simply reach success without undergoing through the most difficult situation; however, always remember to keep your cool so you can think of ways to win.
Assuming that you already have business website to post information about your company, or updating it as a store for online purchase of the products/services you offer, you might are very interested to incorporate internet marketing in your marketing plan. Online marketing led many businesses and entrepreneurs alike to success that they hardly imagined as they improve their knowledge through the process. You can also write your own path to success by two ways to nail your marketing campaign. How? Below are two ways:
Learning Internet Marketing StrategiesStart-up businesses who do not have ample resources to hire services of a professional can make their way to start the process by learning it themselves. Internet marketing may be complicated in its own way, but if you are driven to make your way up, there is no harm in trying to learn. Information on how you will do it is available on the web so you can learn it with patience. Being a newbie however may lead you to errors, but this should not discourage you. Errors are part of learning and they give you the best lessons. If you already are keeping your way up and your resources made it possible to hire a consultant, your knowledge in the field will still be your advantage.
Hiring an Online Marketing Consultant
Businesses who are eager to bring their name to the online world in faster and sure way choose to hire an internet marketing professional whose experience can be trusted. There are business owners who can barely attend all the demands of the business of time and effort, and since online marketing is important, they choose to have it handled by highly capable people to do the job.
Internet marketing is one serious stuff. It should be carefully planned and implemented like the other traditional promotional techniques. Without ample time to do research, you may be caught in surprise with the search engine algorithm changes. The strategies you use today may not be applicable tomorrow. Hiring a consultant is a way to return your investment to you online marketing campaign. Delivering more traffic is one key to let your business known and you have to work hard for it. Look for an internet marketing consultant you can trust, and make your business relevant.
 In today's technology-savvy business environment, it is important that you find the right person to do job for you. An internet marketing campaign can do wonders for your business, and you cannot disregard the benefits it can give to your company when you put your marketing endeavors online. Many businesses are going with the trend, not just to reach more customers, but also to made their presence known to online customers.
If the idea of online marketing is new to you, but you wanted to test the waters and see how can marketing online can make a difference in your business, an internet marketing consultant can set up the system for you. You might be thinking that it will be an additional expense, however, you have to realize that it will not take you lots of funds to start the process. Keep in mind that you have to find the right person to do the job for you. You can waste money and time hiring the wrong person. Below are few tips that can help you choose the right person whom you will entrust the name of your business with.
- Effectiveness - There is a way to know the effectiveness of a consultant before hiring. Google their name, since they are working in the online arena, it will not make sense if they don't provide information about themselves. You can see in their profiles how hard they are working for their clients, and all stuff. This is not only your basis however, check the testimonials. Before you hire an internet marketing consultant, make sure that the person can meet your expectations considering that they are to be a partner for the success of your business.
- Working Style - Take time to check the content and other services made by the consultant. There are some willing to offer free trial or consultation. Grab it so that you'll see how the consultant work. There may be lots of talents out there, but the way they do it simply is out of your business' league. If the consultants working style does not match your business, you may end up frustrated in the end. Find a person or people who are willing to adapt to your business style and needs.
- Knowledgeable in Various Internet Marketing Methods - It is important that the person you will hire is not boxed to what he traditionally knows. The web is ever-evolving, what is applicable yesterday may not be applicable today. A consultant who knows plenty of strategies can help you in may aspects of your campaign.
- Oriented for Results - Results are what you are after because you are spending money for the entire online effort. You cannot afford to spend an amount just to find out that your website is not even in the first ten pages of search engines. Your consultant should be able to create a realistic and timely goal. Though the competition is very tight, your consultant must know how to find a way to pull off your online presence.
- Educator - Many business owners are not very particular on how internet marketing works. It will work on your advantage if the one you'll hire can least explain to you how the process works. How the results are achieved, and share what can be the back up plan when things did not worked right. You own your business, and it will be beneficial that you know how things are done may you are marketing online or traditionally.
 You cannot get rid of competition in the online world. Businesses whatever industry they represent does not want to be ruled out by others as they introduce a brand, product, or service. Businesses wanted to rule to survive for they cannot achieve their goals if they are neglected by the people whom they are aiming for loyalty.
The popularity of traditional marketing did not decline despite the emergence of the new media. Though television, print, and radio advertisements still hook the interest of their audiences, it cannot be denied that the Internet provides many advantages that other medium cannot give. The cost-efficiency and the global reach of the web is one of its primary benefit and many businesses are after, and whether small, big businesses, and even non-profit institutions are adapting the trend by creating an online page that represents their cause globally.
If you are a business owner, an entrepreneur who are a bit uncertain of the advantages Internet marketing can bring to your business, below are the few benefits that may convince you to engage into it:
- Cost-efficiency. If you don't have a physical retail outlet, you can start your business online where you can make it as a platform to place your products and services. There is no need to pay for the rent and maintenance cost for an office or store. Meanwhile, having a retail outlet or established business, and incorporating online marketing will still be advantageous since you can lessen the cost of other marketing campaign. You cannot go for cheap printed materials, while rate television rates are sky-high. Using internet marketing, you only need to hire people who can reach out to your target market virtually. By creating an informative page that users can visit in their own leisure, you can reach out to innumerable people for a lesser expense.
- Global Reach. The beauty of having an online page and marketing it in search engines and virtual places where people can access it is the unlimited reach. Though there are plenty of ways to promote your brand to the local market, the web gives an opportunity to widen your business reach. Also, your website is available for people to visit 24/7, so people can be aware of your brand, products, and services even you are resting or asleep.
- Unlimited Opportunities. The World Wide Web is a very dynamic platform; improvements and updates may come at any time for the benefit of millions of users. Because of this nature of the web, marketing businesses also come with plenty of strategies that can be applied. Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing, and Social Media Marketing are just few of the ways you can reach to your target audiences.
- Real-Time Results. Another advantages of online marketing is that it allows webmasters to update and review the results real-time through tools available in the web as well. It gives an opportunity to online marketers to improve their marketing techniques whenever they see that the statistics does not reflect favorable feedback. Tracking your online marketing success is essential to know whether the platform you have invested with efforts and money offers you returns.
 People who invest on business cannot ignore the importance of marketing today. Either large or small business, owners understand that the power to sell their products or services start from letting the public know of its existence. Marketing has a very wide scope, and right techniques in its implementation can make a big difference to businesses who wanted to achieve success in their fields.
Many people think that marketing is synonymous to sales. Yet, these two are not similar in many aspects. Marketing scopes advertising, promotion, sales, and public relations. It comes in a package as it is a process of promoting products/services to its target market to encourage sales. Effective marketing campaigns are carefully planned from the start to the end of its process for it plays a great role on how the business brand will be perceived by the prospective consumers. Since the goal of marketing is to make a product recognized in the market, people who compose the marketing team must be skillful and creative, people who critically thinks not only how they can make a brand popular, but also can create a trusted and lasting impression.
If you are an owner of a start-up business, you might be considering to start your own marketing campaign. Without going efforts to make your brand known, there is a very limited possibility for your products and services to be recognized by buyers. No sales eventually lead to no profit and you will simply lose the value to starting your business. The most important role of marketing is to create brand awareness while working out to make consumers your loyal customers. Being a person who invested for a business, you are aware of the competition in the business world we are currently in. This competition is hard to beat, and you have to exhaust your efforts in order to win. Without shedding resources and taking necessary action, you will just leave your business as it is and it will be very difficult for you to grow. There are plenty of marketing efforts you can undertake, and with limited budget, you can still start...for you need to, so that you will reap the benefits of your hard work.
If at the moment you cannot afford to have a TV, radio, or print ads, there is no reason for you to lose hope. Technological innovations allow many entrepreneurs to expand market reach even in a limited budget through the help of Internet marketing. There is a large number of people today who are becoming aware of the use of Internet to make their product purchases. It opened a door for businesses to market their product in a cost-efficient way. Internet has the power to reach millions of people around the world and it can do things that traditional media cannot.
As a start up business, there are many opportunities that lie ahead of you. Using Internet marketing as your first marketing strategy will help a lot as long as you will find credible people who can do the job for you with efficiency. Marketing is always an integral part of any business, make sure that you maximize its advantages in any way.
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