Trying to run a business without an internet marketing plan is like trying to play baseball without a ball. Surveys consistently report that only about 2% of the population does not research online before buying. Without an internet marketing plan, you are limiting your customer base to 2% of the population or less.

You might have a conventional or traditional marketing plan. But do not start patting yourself on the back. Without an internet marketing plan that covers all the bases, you might want to think about closing your doors.

The Essentials of an Internet Marketing Plan:

Search Engine Marketing – A plan to research the best keywords and optimize your website and other content for those keywords in order to have your site appear within the first page of search results on each of the search engines. This simply cannot be overlooked in your internet marketing plan.

Content Development and Marketing – People want information. You can answer questions, meet immediate needs, and show that you can provide additional help through your products and services.

Lead Generation and Management – Next in your internet marketing plan must be actions to engage them enough to get permission to contact them again and help them move from sales lead to customer. Then you need to keep them as customers.

Public Relations/Media Plan – Whether you goal is to get an article in the local paper or to use an optimized press release to get the attention of your market, the press can be a vital asset for any business.

Blogging and Social Networking – These Web 2.0 tactics, which are absolutely critical in your internet marketing plan, help you demonstrate the relevance of your insights and your information, as well as your products and services. The amazing growth of social media has made it a vital sales tool.

Advertising – It is just as important to have your ads in the right internet publications and on the most important websites as on local billboards and in the local paper.

Website Development – Your website must be more than a brochure. It must be a sales tool and a marketing tool for your business. This vital part of your internet marketing plan is accomplished through both site structure and content.

Email Marketing – Nobody can afford to overlook the most effective method of communicating with prospects and customers.

If you can attend to these essentials of an internet marketing plan, you business will be well on its way to great success. Each of these internet marketing plan essentials will need your attention, time, and investment to achieve the level of success you want for your business.

If you are a small business owner or professional and want to learn more about lead generation, view the short video, “How Article Promotion Can Drive 25,000 New Prospects to Your Web Site Each Month – For Free.”