Internet Marketing for Dummies - 3 Simple Rules

Copyright © Laura Shapiro, Your Home Business Guide

 Are you looking into starting an online business or have you decided to bring a primarily offline business to the web? This Internet Marketing for Dummies intro can get you started in the right direction. . .

With our ever-increasing dependence on the internet, you've definitely made the right choice to start promoting your business on the worldwide web. Anyone that has a computer nowadays turns to the Internet to get product reviews and information, commentary, tips and and testimonials from previous customers or other marketers.

If someone is interested in your type of business and they cannot find you online, they will turn to one of your competitors who is online. 

This is not an immediate concern for established businesses as they rely more solidly on word of mouth reviews to help them.  But it will be in the future. Even local businesses are going online to do local online promotions. And if you're just starting out with a new business, you'll definitely need the internet right from the get-go.

I know that many of you small business owners, even the more experienced ones, are intimidated by the idea of building and maintaining a website on your own.

So here is Internet Marketing for Dummies Rule number 1

Don't let your fear stop you from taking action! 

Building a site is now extremely easy with the advent of networking sites and even online templates that will help you build your webpage step by step:

Here are some good ones:
Homestead Quick Sites is a powerful website building tool with Hosting included. Over 20 Million People use Homestead to host their website.

BlueHost is a popular web hosting company with a flexible and user-friendly Website builder. It's great for those new to developing websites

And I very highly recommend SBI SiteBuildIt.  It is more time consuming to get your site up and running with SBI but you do it step by step with incredibly thorough step-by-step tutorials.

Internet Marketing for Dummies Rule number 2: After you build your website, all you need to do is post it on the various social networking sites like FaceBook or Twitter (or one of the many others). All of these social sites represent free ways for you to advertisge. See the post below for some other social networking sites. Be active in these sites and people will come to see who you are and what you and your business is all about. 

The key to promoting your business in social sites is to be social!! 

It seems like a simple concept to remember but so many people are on these sites to hype it up and blast their website links to everyone they know. Don't make this mistake! First of all, people do not respond to this and second of all,  it can get you banned from these sites. Be friendly, meet people, comment on their pages, blogs, etc., and include your link if appropriate. Offer advice and suggestions. By doing this, you are establishing yourself as trustworthy, reliable and friendly and people will be more interested in what you have to offer.

Most Social Networking sites offer tutorials or step by step instructions of how to get set up.

Another great way to reach people on the internet is to find a site that is offering something similar to what your business does. A lot of these sites ave message boards or forums where people discuss things and ask questions about different topics.  Get on these message boards and talk to people, answer their questions, and leave behind your business contact information. This is a great way to bring more visitors to your own business!

And Internet Marketing for Dummies Rule number 3, as you are going about your web marketing, remember not to be too pushy or flashy with your promotions or ads. Avoid big promises and loud graphics. Most people read "scam" into these types of techniques or they're just turned off by all the hype. Be simple, informative and truthful as you bring your business to the web!

Laura Shapiro is a Home-Based Business Owner and Consultant in addition to being a full time Mom. Is a Home Business your Dream? It doesn't have to be - let me help you make it a reality. . .