Webworx - The Internet Marketing Mix

Are you wondering about whether your business should be on the Internet? How can you find out?

Well, it's the same as any business entering any new market. You need to learn more about the marketplace, the competition, the target market group, and the opportunities for your organization.

If you are currently “on the Web” at home or at the office, you are likely aware of the impact the Internet has had on everyday life. The number of new Web sites popping up each day is a testament to the use of the Internet for business and information purposes--and now “e-commerce”.

However, how do you know whether your business should take advantage of this growth and expanding opportunity and create its own space on the World Wide Web? It's important to look at whom you are currently serving, why they deal with you, how they heard about you, who your competition is and what your competition is doing. A complete understanding of your marketplace can be determined through research and the same can be said for Internet customers.

Are your customers on the Web? Are your competitors? Statistical sites exist on the Internet which will identify the typical user, what they buy, how much they spend, how often and why. By looking for competitor Web sites, you can determine how they are advertising, what they are advertising, who is advertising, what opportunities might exist for you and why certain sites are successful or not!

If you are trying to reach a global market, the Internet will provide you with that opportunity. Perhaps you wish to target gender specific audiences. Internet research will provide you with the information you need to support decisions you may make to reallocate dollars in your marketing mix.

The Internet offers so much opportunity for so many. If you are not sure whether the time is right for your company to have a presence, do your Internet marketing research and determine if the market is there for you. A good start is to check out http://www.yahoo.com/ and search for “market research”. You might be surprised at what opportunities you’ll find.