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Boost your sales with internet marketing

Oct 28 2002

Marketing products and services over the internet could help small businesses reach their customers more efficiently, and target new ones.

E-commerce advisory group UK online for business has launched a free e-marketing booklet to help businesses sell their products and services online. Research from the Chartered Institute of Marketing has shown that companies marketing online are generating two-thirds more sales than their competitors.

The guide provides information on how online assets such as email, the internet and a website can be used to attract customers.

“With such a proliferation of channels available, from direct mail to text messaging, businesses can adopt a multi-channel approach to their marketing activity,” says Liz Grant, director of UK online for business.

The booklet offers tips on promoting websites, such as registering a range of domain names, including possible misspellings and names that are similar to your own.

Learning how to best use search engines and email are also covered. Suggestions include sending emails to all your regular contacts with details of product news, update reminders and special offers, and compiling an email newsletter to send to regular customers with keyword hyperlinks that lead them to news or information.

There are also tips on ways to retain customers – businesses should ensure that the website content is consistently of a high quality and that the site is well maintained. Other tools that could engage customers include discussion or chat facilities, special offers, promotions and price calculators.

To obtain a copy of the booklet, go to www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk, or telephone 0845 715 2000.

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