Why is online marketing important? 9 reasons

A company wants to be found. Since most companies are now also active on the Internet - or even just active on the Internet - online findability is of utmost importance. Online marketing focuses on marketing a company on the Internet.

This article gives 9 reasons why online marketing is so important today.

#1 New customers

Of course, the most important reason applies both online and offline: gaining new customers. The Internet is the best way to reach new customers in relatively little time.

Online it is often even cheaper to gain new customers than offline. In fact, you save a lot of money because you control a lot of the reach yourself. Consider using social media such as Facebook and Pinterest for your business. When you create a bevy of followers, you can also market your products and services more easily.

Winning new customers through online channels is faster, more efficient and cheaper than offline marketing.

#2 Online marketing increases your ROI

Your ROI (return on investment) is very important. You would like to see your invested money back in sales. That's why online marketing is so convenient for you. You have complete control over what you are doing.

There are all kinds of tools available online that help you analyze data and determine how to get even more out of your Web site or campaign. One example is Google Analytics, which can map what a visitor does on your website on a per visitor (and even per click) basis. This is nice information because it allows you to learn about your visitor's behavior.

#3 Reach your target audience.

Online marketing gives today's marketer a very important weapon: tools to reach your target audience faster. You can target people in online marketing who are interested in your services or products (but not yet convinced), but you can also advertise in a very targeted way so that only your target audience will see your ads.

Another great thing about online marketing is that you can do "retargeting." With this you connect people who have been in touch with your products and services before. You approach them again and convince them to buy something from you.

#4 Always accessible

A store has opening hours. When you're just 5 minutes late at the drugstore, you're miserable. But the other way around, the drugstore should be bummed too, because they are now losing revenue!

Online marketing focuses on websites that are always accessible. Day in, day out, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, people can visit your website, use your social media and ask questions. So you are always accessible and - especially if you respond quickly - will drive few people away by not being accessible.

In other words, as an online business you can't make it to be unreachable!

#5 International

A website also has no physical boundaries. If you have a Dutch concept, notice that it is successful, you can very easily make the transition to the rest of the world. There are plenty of entrepreneurs targeting the American market from the Netherlands, but the Chinese and other Asian markets are also very popular.

Question and answer can find each other faster online, making it easy for today's entrepreneur to start trading internationally. And therefore to start earning money internationally.

#6 Does it go wrong? Then things can be so different

Online marketing is a great way to directly test how it works in practice. So when you have undertaken something, you can see in a short time whether it is catching on or not. If it does not, you can make an adjustment with a few changes. In this way, it is possible for every entrepreneur to get the best out of his or her products and services.

#7 Fast

People today are so used to quick responses that it is becoming increasingly difficult for an offline store to stay in business. Especially busy people would rather order something online than visit a store. Think clothes, but also books and movies. Gifts for friends and family, Sinterklaas and Christmas... There is trade in everything, because it can be done a lot faster via the Internet.

This saves time and costs.

Be aware that most customers have a smartphone and can therefore interact with you directly. A plugin on your website that allows them to whatsap with you is therefore definitely of added value and surpasses the chat function of many websites.

#8 Online engagement

Engagement through online channels is much greater than through an offline store. Even if you don't see the buyers in person, you connect with them in many ways. Ask them to post a review, share a comment or purchase on social media and you will see a sort of snowball effect develop.

In this, your company or website can stand out very well. Especially if you yourself show commitment to your customers. Respond to their questions, put them at ease and accommodate them. Even giving away something for free every now and then or running a "share & win" promotion can create a huge engagement with your brand. 

#9 Everyone participates

Finally, the beauty of online marketing is that truly anyone can participate in it. Anyone can be your customer. Young and old, people at home and abroad, people with many online skills and beginners.

But you can also connect people more easily. Collaborations through online means are therefore easily made. Especially if you make optimal use of various forums on websites.

Conclusion

Are you not doing online marketing yet? Do you do have a website or an offline business? If so, it is important to quickly take the step to the digital possibilities. After all, the online world is growing very fast. It does not have to be difficult to do business online, but you have to take the first step.