What is Web Marketing?

Web marketing is the general term for marketing done on the Internet. It's basically a computer-based version of traditional marketing objectives that involve a product, price, packaging, promotion and place. Marketing is ultimately about propelling a product or service through the proper channels and marketing on the web uses the Internet as that channel. This covers a comprehensive range of business activities such as generating sales leads, selling products or services and supporting other business through affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing on the Internet works by driving traffic to affiliates' or partners' websites through links and advertising. The affiliate marketer receives rewards for helping to bring visitors to the website. The typical reward is a certain amount of income that varies depending on the company.

Just as traditional marketers work to gain the interest of their target market, web marketing works to attract target customers to marketer's websites. These sites may be company websites, web magazines or e-tail catalog sites. Publishing-based web marketing contains informational material with advertising much like print magazines. Corporate or business websites generate sales leads to add value to their marketing goals. E-tail or e-commerce websites market products or services directly to customers.

Internet or web marketing activities should support the business model of a company. For example, blogs and articles are ideal on corporate or business websites if they give expert advice that shows authority on a subject. To be specific, a potential client of an attorney may read a blog or article on the firm’s website, appreciate the advice and then contact the attorney.

An e-tail or e-commerce catalog type of website that sells products directly to consumers may feature a customer forum as part of its web marketing activities. Seeing positive comments from other customers that have purchased an item the web visitor is considering may help the visitor decide to go ahead and purchase the same item. Web marketing is much more than just information on a website. It should consist of well thought-out strategies that support the business model and attract potential customers.