Thursday, September 13, 2007

Internet marketing

Internet marketing, also referred to as online marketing or Emarketing, is marketing that uses the Internet. The Internet has brought many unique benefits to marketing that include very low costs in distributing information and media to a global audience. However, the interactive nature of the media, both in terms of instant response, and in eliciting response at all, are both desirable qualities of internet marketing.

Internet marketing ties together both the creative and technical aspects of the internet, including design, development, advertising and sales. Internet marketing methods include
search engine marketing, display advertising, e-mail marketing, affiliate marketing, interactive advertising and viral marketing.
Definition and scope
Internet marketing is the process of growing and promoting an organization using online media.

Internet marketing does not simply mean 'building a website' or 'promoting a website'. Somewhere behind that website is a real organization with real goals.
Internet marketing strategy includes all aspects of online advertising products, services, and websites, including search engine marketing, public relations, social media, wikis, market research, email marketing, and direct sales.
The internet marketer selects the best of these vehicles, given the organization's goals and audience. Then the marketer helps the organization execute the best marketing strategy.All of this work focuses on accomplishing the goals of the organization.

Friday, July 27, 2007

The Psychology of Color in Internet Marketing

You have probably heard that good web design includes easy navigation. Good web sites are highly optimized for the search engines and draw the readers into the message that is being conveyed. By knowing how the human eye scans a page, web designers can optimize their site for their visitors. However, do you ever consider color when designing your web site. Now, of course, you thought about color a little bit, but many people don't put enough consideration into the colors that they use on their web site. The colors you use can greatly affect the mood of your visitors. By understanding the psychology of colors, you can easily improve your web site design, create a memorable brand, and increase your conversion rate.

When color is used correctly, it can send a number of messages to your reader. It can also highlight important points. However, if used incorrectly, color can quickly confuse your readers and lead them away from your web site.

Colors trigger a variety of emotions and memories. The interpretation of color depends on age, profession, nationality, and personal preference.

To know which colors will appeal to your readers, you must know your audience very well. Market research is extremely important. If you are serious about maximizing your profits, research your target market's color responses. This will help you build a web site to which your target market relates.

In general, red, orange, and yellow are "exciting" colors while purple, blue, and green are "calming" colors. Keep this in mind when you are designing your web site. You must ask yourself how you want your visitors to react to your web design. Remember, your web design and the message you are sending are not separate entities. They are both intertwined and extremely influential to your visitors.

It is certainly no coincidence that McDonalds uses the colors red and yellow. They did intensive research before determining that those were the colors that would attract the eye. Bright colors like this encourage diners to eat and leave quickly. Take a look as you are driving down the street. There are now countless numbers of businesses who use red and yellow in their advertising.

Every country associates different meanings and emotions with different colors. Here are some color references in America:

Red: excitement, strenth, passion, speed, boldness, determination, desire, courage
Yellow: warmth, sunshine, happiness, comfort, energy
Blue: trust, reliability, belonging, loyalty, professionalism (This is one of the most popular colors, especially for businesses.)
Orange: playfulness, warmth, vibrant, enthusiasm, creativity
Green: nature, fresh, cool, growth, abundance, harmony
Pink: soft, sweet, security
Purple: royal, spirituality, dignity, nobility, luxury, elegance
White: pure, clean, youthful, innocence, simplicity
Black: sophistication, formality, seductive, mystery
Gold: prestige, expensive, elite
Silver: prestige, cold, scientific

Companies with a budget spend billions on color market research. Psychologists have suggested that color impression can account for up to 60% of the acceptance or rejection of a product or service.

As a web master, color is definitely something you will want to research and test on your web site. It could mean the difference between a sale and a lost customer.

Writing Effective PPC Ads (Creatives) for Your Pay Per Click Campaigns

For ad copy to convert readers to visitors, it must grab the reader’s attention. Whether it's a print ad in a magazine, a pay per click ad on a Web page, or a sponsored listing on a search engine results page (SERP), your message must call out to the person reading it. You may be advertising in the right place at the right time, however, without the right message, you will have a problem. If you’re not appealing directly to the person who is reading your ad, you risk them seeing it without realizing how it relates to them.
If the ad is a pay per click (PPC) ad, your potential customer has executed a search and is looking for something specific. If you write your PPC creatives to speak directly to them, there's a better chance they will click on it and visit your Web site.
So what characteristics do you look to include when writing ad copy?
First, be sure to use your keywords in your title and even in the description when you can. If possible, start your title with the keyword or keyword phrase. For the description, understand that people want to accomplish or learn something, be entertained or take advantage of an offer. People are motivated by fear, money, hope, lust, despair, health, safety, education, appearance, status etc. (Although maybe not all at the same time!) You will want to include a reason for someone to choose to respond to your ad and take action. Care about their problem and create an emotional statement using action oriented language. Remember W.I.I.F.M. What’s in it for me?
For example, perhaps you are offering a health resort vacation package. You might appeal to potential customers about the opportunity to get in shape and improve their appearances. Or maybe they just need a vacation from the daily stress of home and work. Appeal to their wants and needs and they'll be enticed to click-through.
Your PPC ads might look something like this:
Health Resort SpecialRelax, Rejuvenate & Meditate.Join us for a wellness stay.
Vacation Get-awayPamper Yourself & Relax.Join us for a stress-free stay.
Beach Vacation RentalsStressed, tired, need to escape?Feel your cares melt away...
Health Resort VacationGet in shape today at ourprivate paradise vacation getaway.
However, effective ads are only a part of the campaign. Once your PPC creatives persuades a searcher to click, your landing page must now convert them. It should look professional and above all offer them what they were looking for in the first place. They will be more likely to convert into a customer or a lead if the page they go to gives them exactly what they were looking for.
Appeal directly to your target audience with both your ad and your landing pages and you will experience greater quality visitors and better conversions