Internet marketing is a fairly new phenomenon, which has spread like wildfire since 1995. Internet marketing is a vast topic which includes SEO, PPC, affiliate marketing, CPA network offers and many more things.
Although internet marketing can give a lot of businesses the edge they need in operating online, care should be taken in fully understanding the pros and cons of internet marketing.
Remember, in marketing there is no such thing as a "secret". Marketing is all about timing and consistency!
Here are some advantages of online marketing for a small or medium sized business:
1. Vast reach: Most businesses can compete globally, ensuring you know what you are doing.
2. Cheaper alternative: When compared with renting out huge billboards, internet marketing can be, at times, a much cheaper and more effective
3. Much more effective: If you take the time to understand how internet marketing works, you can outcompete 90% of the players in your niche!
The disadvantages of internet marketing are:
1. Global competition: If you can compete globally, so can other firms. In some industries such as banking, insurance and mortgage, the competition is cut-throat. There is normally no way someone can try to outrank the already established websites.
2. Confusing: Internet marketing can be confusing, especially with hundreds of over-hyped e-books out there. Understanding what techniques work in internet marketing is winning half the battle.
3. Constant monitoring: Unlike traditional advertising, internet marketing needs constant maintenance and gauging. If you run an Adwords account, you would surely check it every couple of hours. SEO has its pitfalls as well. You have to keep on checking your rankings, monitoring your results etc.