3 Ways To Generate Leads For Your Business Using The Internet

 

More than 80% of consumer transactions begin online. Before they plunk down their hard-earned cash, consumers routinely access the internet to research products and services. It’s at this point in the buying process that savvy marketers are using the web to place themselves at the top of the list when consumers are ready to buy.

Internet marketing tactics are part of a larger marketing strategy known as ‘inbound marketing.” In contrast to traditional outbound marketing methods like television, radio and magazines, inbound marketing attracts people to your business with valuable content that helps them solve problems.

Here are three powerful internet marketing techniques that maximize the inbound marketing approach:

Pay Per Click

Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising displays your ad alongside the organic search results. Google Adwords is the most well-known but there are many alternative services. PPC presents your ad to people already looking for information on your products and services.

There is no time wasted “pushing” ads out like old media. You simply provide the information people want. You become the “trusted advisor.”  Offer a free report, free software, free demo, or anything that provides value to your prospect and allows them to lean more about your product and make a better buying decision.

Social Media

Blog posts, Facebook updates, YouTube videos and Twitter tweets are excellent ways to reach out to customers and prospects. Each channel provides another opportunity for people to get to know, like and trust you.

Social media has become so important Google has changed their search algorithms to include it. That means your social media efforts will help your website maintain high search engine rankings. The better your rankings, the easier it will be for people to find you.

Lead-Generating Website

It’s hard to believe that 40% of businesses still don’t have a proper website. Your website is the hub of your entire lead generation and online marketing efforts . The key to a lead-generating website is to offer a free report to capture email addresses.

An email address is key because very few prospects are ready to buy right this instant. Keeping in touch via email allows you to develop a relationship with customers and keeps you at the top of their minds when they are ready to buy—even months down the road.

In addition, your website is the perfect place to offer all your free content. Each piece of content is like a salesperson working 24 hours a day. Customers need solutions to their problems. They log on to your website, find your valuable content, feel good about your company and look at you as an expert.

These are just a few of the many ways businesses can harness the power of the internet. As smartphone and tablet use continues to skyrocket, learning to use the internet effectively will become more important every day. Lay the groundwork now to use the web to expand your customer base and grow your sales.