Tips for Online Ads

While it shouldn't replace traditional advertising entirely, online advertising should be part of all companies' integrated marketing mix.
Because search engine marketing is so critical to all online advertising efforts, be sure to spend sufficient time, money and energy on choosing the right keywords for your business.
The future of online advertising is in emerging media such as blogs, podcasts and social networks; don't get left behind.
Once considered cutting edge, online advertising is now a staple in the modern-day marketing mix. Immediate, interactive and effective, online advertising is an affordable alternative to traditional -- and typically more expensive -- advertising vehicles such as newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and direct mail. For many companies advertising on the Internet, old media is out and new media is most certainly in.
Advertising on the Internet is about more than being innovative, though. At its core, online advertising is also about being relevant. Sure, advertising online will earn your business a gold star in technology, but that's just the beginning. At its best, online advertising has numerous benefits that will help you set your business apart from its competitors both online and offline. Among those benefits:
1. While online advertising attracts new customers, it also builds loyalty among existing ones.
2. Highly targeted, online advertising is ideal for reaching niche audiences with specific and actionable messages.
3. Because it's interactive, online advertising is especially suited for up-selling.
4. Advertising on the Internet allows you to collect and analyze results in real time.
5. Advertising online exposes you to new markets; you don't have to find them because they'll find you.

Tips

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
Behind every successful online advertising campaign is a strong Web site; a good ad is worthless without an attractive, professional Web site for consumers to click through to.
Before you buy online advertising, educate yourself on its cost structure; online advertising is typically sold via CPM (cost per thousand), to advertisers who want to pay for exposure; CPC (cost per click), to advertisers who want to pay for traffic; or CPA (cost per action), to advertisers who want to pay only for results.
Avoid advertising online via unauthorized spyware or adware; not only is it unethical, and potentially illegal, but it leaves a bad taste in your customers' mouths.
Online advertising is all about trial and error. If your Internet marketing services don't produce results, don't give up; instead, tinker with your ads' wording, change their placement and pursue new markets.
Use meta tags-coded descriptions of your Web pages that only search engines can read-as invisible online advertising for your business.