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Here are some ways we at Steppingstones can help you and your company/organization benefit from the Internet.
We have also provided for your use some Internet tools on the right side of this page.
Internet Strategy
An Internet strategy is a lot more than just having an e-mail address and a company web site. An Internet strategy means developing and implementing an integrated and comprehensive set of activities that maximize your marketing efforts. It means selecting and using those components of the Internet to complement your regular marketing to achieve your company’s goals.
We can assist you to plan, write and put into action an Internet strategy that makes sense and that will achieve results. Since we also do business plans, we will make sure that your Internet strategy is consistent with the directions and goals of your business plan. If necessary, we can also do the necessary market research (surveys, interviews and/or focus groups) to help you develop a strategy that meets the needs of your customers.
Web Design and Production
There are many different types of web sites - brochure, information, customer support and on-lines sales. We can help you choose the best one for you (as part of your overall Internet strategy), design and build it. We can help by:
- Searching and registering a domain name (or you can do it yourself).
- Providing you with a complete hosting package.
- Conducting a needs assessment/feasibility study among your staff and your clients to determine the most appropriate functions and features for your site.
- Designing, programming and testing your web site. This includes the preparation of any graphics, photographs and special interactive features such as guest books, order forms, etc.
- Setting up an affordable e-commerce component to your web site so you can take on-line orders.
- Registering your web site with the appropriate search engines and directories so your customers can find you.
- Helping with on-going maintenance and updating – web sites needs constant attention to ensure they are working, current and all features are operating as they should.
For examples of our work and for ideas for your own web site, please visit StepHosting.net (UK) and StepNet.net (USA).
e-Marketing
An effective and dynamic web site is only one part of the e-marketing mix. There are many other Internet strategies and tools that can be used to sell your company, your products and services. These include:
- Registering with search engines and directories and trying to get as high a placement as possible for your web site.
- Getting complementary web sites to place links to your site.
- Using banners on other sites to increase the number of visitors to your site.
- Making most effective use of autoresponders to promote your products and improve customer service.
- Getting free publicity through sending out news releases to regular and on-line publications and media.
- Writing and distributing free and/or subscription newsletters for customer support and profit.
- Capturing e-mail addresses, using bulk e-mail correctly and avoiding the negative repercussions of spamming.
- Taking advantage of Internet Classified Ads.
- Marketing effectively (and carefully) to on-line discussion forums.
- Getting others to sell for you through setting up of Associate programs.
For best results, each of the above techniques require expertise and the right tools. However, put together in the right combination, the results can be dramatic. We can help with individual strategies, or a complete package.
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