If you have a small business and are not internet savvy internet advertising can be very intimidating. There are many ways to advertise on the internet. You may choose to do them all or start with one or two options to get your feet wet and build on that.
There are many internet consulting businesses that can help you. Some will offer total packages from obtaining a domain name to full blown advertising. There are others that specialize in a certain portion like web hosting or advertising banners. The first thing you need to know is what your options are, what they mean and what they will do for your business. Below are some terms and their meanings that will get you started.
The Basics
Domain Name – a domain name is a location of an entity on the internet. Your domain name should be the name of your business or something pertaining to your business that is easy to remember so people can find you.
Website - a collection of web pages accessible via the internet.
Web Page – A web page is the screen you see when you go to a web site. You can have multiple web pages on your website and maneuver between them by clicking on links.
Web Hosting – These are companies that provide space on a server they own for your website and web pages. This provides the internet access to all of your potential clients.
Web Design – The process of creating the layout of web pages. This may make or break your internet presence. This needs to be an original, professional, appealing web design that fits your budget and will drive customers to your business.
Advanced features bring potential customers to your site.
SEO – Stands for “Search Engine Optimization”. The process of trying to get your web site on the first page of a search engine. You want your potential clients to be able to find it easily. There are many facets to this process. This takes research and knowledge of HTML coding. This is tricky business some SEO practices are considered spamming. When choosing this service be sure to use a reputable company.
Banner advertising – A banner ad is a form of advertising on the internet. An impression is a single instance of an ad banner being displayed. When the banner is clicked on the viewer is directed to the website advertised on the banner. This is referred to as a click-through. Banners can be simple or complex. An appealing banner could direct a lot of business to your website.
Pop Under Ad – A type of window that appears behind the browser window of a website that a user has visited. When they close out their window the pop under window is then displayed.
PPC – Pay Per Click is when you place an advertisement and only pay for it when someone clicks on it to go to your site.
CPV – Cost Per View technology matches selected keywords with the information the consumer is searching for or viewing, then instantly delivers the user to the website. You only pay when the consumer views the site.
SEM – A form of Internet marketing that seeks to promote websites by increasing their visibility in search engine result pages.
When interviewing a business to do your advertising for you, remember that they are working for you. Ask questions and request to see examples of their work. All internet advertising businesses are not created equal. Find the one that best suits your business.