Online targeted marketing offers almost immediate access to potential customers. Some of its benefits include easily spreading the word about a new company or product, reaching a large number of targeted consumers, and cost-effectiveness. Likewise, online marketing can drive a lot of traffic to web sites, convert users almost instantly, and make it easy to get real-time statistics.
The ability to quickly create interest in a company or product is one of the biggest benefits of online targeted marketing. The use of social networks, e-mail marketing campaigns, and online advertising makes it easy for the information to "go viral." An interesting or funny advertisement can be sent electronically from one Internet user to the next, creating a lot of interest and exposure that is free of charge.
Online marketing makes it easy to reach a larger number of consumers, who can be targeted in various ways. A television commercial might be aimed at a certain demographic, but anyone might see it. With online targeted marketing, the advertisements can be offered to a specific group of Internet users. Certain social networks, for example, target their advertisements based on the location, age, gender, and interests of their users.
Internet marketing also offers an affordable alternative to conventional advertising methods. E-mail campaigns, for example, can be done for a fraction of the cost of conventional mailing and can be targeted to users that fit several criteria. Cost per action (CPA) companies offer advertisers the option of paying for every consumer that performs a specific action. This can deliver good results at a very reasonable cost.
If an advertiser needs to create awareness about a website, online marketing can be an ideal solution. A consumer is more likely to click on a link that he or she sees online, than writing down a web site link from a magazine advertisement. When a product or service is marketed online it creates a lot of traffic to the site, which in turn can lead to an increase in sales.
Online targeted marketing can convert consumers almost instantly, while conventional methods may take a lot longer. Conventional advertising methods usually rely on consumer visits to a place of business to complete a sale. With online marketing, however, the consumer can view the advertisement, be introduced to the product, visit the site, and purchase the product with just a few clicks of a mouse.
Another benefit of online targeted marketing is that it enables advertisers to track statistics in real time. Having instant access to statistics and being able to track sales as they happen can allow a campaign to be changed at a moment's notice. Using conventional methods, an advertiser may have to wait weeks to see if a campaign has been successful or not, and it can be difficult and time consuming to change tactics if required.