Using your website as an effective marketing tool

Most business owners now understand that internet marketing can play an integral part of their overall marketing mix.

The nature of your website can vary from a simple static site which provides an overview of your business, to a multi page site which you can regularly update yourself, or a full e-commerce site which allows for online sales with fully automated payment systems.

Your website not only gives you a cost effective tool to promote and sell your services or products, but can play a critical role in your communication with clients.

Through your website you can encourage registration for an e-newsletter to keep clients abreast of sales, specials, and general trends in your industry. This can be an automated system that makes the process simple to manage and track.

You can also have a blog or forum on your site which enables more informal discussion and dissemination with your clients.

To ensure your website is an effective marketing tool for your business, simple follow these few key steps:
· Keep your content current and relevant to your audience
· Ensure you put your website address on ALL of your other marketing materials
· Track how people are using your site through your website statistics
· Invest in search engine optimization to ensure your website is fully accessible and understandable to search engines such as Google and Yahoo
· Investigate strategies such as Google Adwords campaigns to help drive relevant traffic to your website

“This article was written by Tracy-Madonna Wylie, Business Manager, Nutbirdz Strategic Marketing, and printed in the My Marketing Companion column of the Fraser Coast Chronicle in 2008.”