Online search engine placement is an effective form of advertising.
There are a number of different types of advertising that businesses can use to promote their products and services. The key to advertising is finding the best method for your type of business. For example, online businesses should use email marketing campaigns and search engine placement. A mail order company may be better off running small display ads in specialty magazines. Whatever the case, gradually spend more on your advertising as your profits increase.
Classified Ads
Classified ads are one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising. A company can place small ads in magazines and newspapers for pennies per word. Make sure you choose a publication that targets your customers, according to Entrepreneur. The objective of classified advertising is to start small, then pyramid your profits. Pyramiding your profits means to advertise in one or two magazines to start, then expand to more publications as your profits increase. Many mail order companies, for example, got started with $50 or $100 ads. These companies then went on to spend thousands of dollars per month on classified ads. Classified ads can also be easily tracked through various keys. For example, you can insert a "P1010" in your classified ad to denote the October 2010 edition of the "Philadelphia Inquirer."
Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization is highly effective because of the vast audience you can reach. You can reach both national and international customers through search engine optimization. You will need to find someone who specializes in search engine optimization. Call web designers in your area, as they may work with search engine optimizers. Search engine optimization entails selecting key words or phrases when submitting your website to major search engines. For example, you may use phrases like "cheap vitamins" or "save on vitamins" to promote your online vitamin company on the Google search engine. The objective of search engine optimization is to get listed on the first page when people search for your products.
Direct Mail
Direct mail is highly effective because it is highly targeted. You can buy mailing lists of people who actually buy the products you sell. For example, a real estate business may purchase lists of local home owners -- particularly those who have owned their home a while -- and brochures to them. The objective of the real estate mailing would be to find people who are interested in selling or buying homes. Direct mail can be used to generate leads or pull in orders.
Social Media
Social media continues to grow as a viable way to reach customers. Social media includes popular sites such as Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn and Twitter. Companies recognize the significant numbers of people who subscribe to social media sites. Therefore, the potential audience is huge. Businesses that use social media should make it easy for customers to participate, according to Entrepreneur.com. Include customers in social media advertising instead of just talking to them. Allow the customers to express their feelings and comments about your products.
Tags: search engine, engine optimization, your profits, social media, according Entrepreneur, Direct mail