Howse’s Business Opportunity

What Online Marketing Did for My Small Business

Of all the methods of marketing, online marketing is perhaps the most successful and a suitable option available for all types of businesses. The potential it offers is not yet fully exhausted. With interactive media being added as a regular feature in the web world, there are yet many forms and advantages of online marketing still to be explored.

It has been a tremendous help in boosting sales and increasing turnover. I run a small business that offers enterprise resource management solutions for small and medium businesses. Online marketing has looked after the sales and promotion part of the business well. The efforts in advertising and endorsing a product manually have its limitations. Online marketing has freed the personnel to concentrate more in processing each order and customizing each solution implemented. The method of generating thousands of e-mails sent to specific people, at a fraction of the cost involved for other forms of marketing, have drastically reduced advertisement expenses earmarked for the financial year.

Going online has ensured a steady flow of potential customers, who stay a little longer at the web page, than if you would meet them personally. The interactive web page allows them to post specific questions and also find answers for the regular ones. The product and its advantages have been well described.

Search engine optimization has resulted in higher rankings in Google searches and a larger number of people taking note of the website. Besides, due to the higher rankings, the website also brings in money through advertising for other web developers, office automation service providers and consultancies providing manpower for enterprise resource solution development.

Incorporating an auto-responder has taken care of responding to customer queries for troubleshooting or enquiries for new products. The prompt replies generated have improved customer satisfaction. Any delay in service is immediately notified, stating an appropriate reason and expected time to attend to the problem.

I have also linked a blogging space for people to post their comments. This also acts as an online marketing tool. For projects that are complex, I have an online community of peers from whom I can choose a business partner. Blogging has also helped in discussing possible business ventures with like-minded peers. Blogging has helped me to some extent in “creating” a market base. People contributing to the blog see the need for an enterprise solution for their firm, and the affordable ways in which it can be implemented.

Among small businesses in this particular niche, my business has been well noticed and has received a mention in a few of the independent reviews online. With more people going in for customized business solutions at competitive rates, I have received a huge number of direct queries and also referrals from past and potential clients. I also earn modestly from the traffic generated. Unlike a regular business where business volumes are somewhat proportional to number of phone calls, or business meetings, etc, online marketing has broken all the norms and has indeed brought in pleasant surprises. There is a far greater percentage of “genuine” customers who are ready to go a long way in bringing about a deal. This is in spite of fewer presentations, conferences and similar promotional events being conducted.

Daniel Silvestre
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