Derrick’s Rants: Top 5 Internet Marketing Mistakes

Photo via Manuel M. Ramos

The internet world is teeming with the idea that you can get a website, do some SEO, and POOF, you’ll make millions- if you do what everyone else is doing or do what the other guy is doing. Hey, I hate to burst your internet bubble, but that’s just not the case.

Maybe when Internet Marketing was in infancy, and the search engines were used to search for things. However, all of that has changed with the advent of social media advertising, new search engine platforms, re-targeting, and a slew of other mediums in which to market on through the internet.

After scouring the web, I compiled some of the most common internet marketing mistakes that you can make. The first (and biggest) mistake is the inability to adopt new strategies. The world of internet marketing is constantly changing. Search engines are always updating their algorithms, new online communication channels are emerging, technology is shifting, and what’s getting it done today may be outdated tomorrow. Always remember that!

1. Making Your Users Wait
People expect to turn on their computer, connect to the internet and find your site fast. If your server is slow, or uses graphics that take too long to download, you can say goodbye to your potential customers.

2. Incompatible Technology
Don’t assume that everyone has the latest version of a program to view your site. Not everyone has Flash installed! Keep ALL your users in mind, and have plain HTML and text versions at the ready.

3. Not Offline Marketing
The goal is driving traffic to your site, the internet is 24/7 but not everyone is online all the time. To successfully market your website, you need market it offline as well.

4. Not Listing Your Site With Search Engines
It is surprising how many people use search engines constantly but do not bother to get their sites listed on these very same search engines. You should manually list yourself with each search engine to make sure you are listed where you want to be.

5. Not Publishing New Content
Way back when the Internet was young, it made sense to put up a website that was static and never changed. Fast forward to today, people expect content. They’re hungry for it, and the search engines are eager to provide it. That site that hasn’t been updated in a year or longer! is going to disappear in the SERPS quickly.

6. Bad Timing
Far too many businesses let their Web sites go fallow. You need to stay current if you hope to attract customers. If you’ve got marketing material on your site about a Memorial Day special and it’s June 15th, you’re losing customers.

7. Poor Partnering
Be very careful with whom you align yourself. Some spammers and spyware companies operate co-registration and affiliate programs that violate the CAN-SPAM act and other rules and regulations. Before you sign an agreement with any third party, investigate your potential partner and be sure they are operating above board.

8. Not Using Viral Marketing
Have your customers marketing for you is very cost effective. A simple “forward to a friend” link, Social media sharing buttons to offline marketing on t-shirts and other accessories that your customers can wear can allow you to benefit from “word of mouth” marketing in the offline world.

9. Not Collecting Email Addresses
To market successfully online, you need an audience to market to. Take every opportunity to collect email addresses from your visitors to create an opted in email list to continue marketing to your target audience.

10. Spamming
Do not SPAM! If you have any doubts or you are not sure whether or not the email communication you are sending is spam, then don’t send it. Even one questionable email is enough for you to get labeled a spammer by ISPs, which will make it difficult, if not impossible, for you to do email marketing in the future.

The success of your online marketing efforts boils down to three things: your choice of a website, the online marketing you do and the effort you put behind keeping your web presence in tune with the latest Internet marketing trends. If you have other mistakes you’d like to add to this list please leave them in comments section.

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