Digital marketing is a very fast changing field. Discoveries and innovations can become old as soon as the next day. The rate of breakthroughs is increasing more and more as new technology is developed. The access to cloud computing platforms has become widespread. This has led to a drastic increase in the scale of Internet marketing operations.
Businesses can be left scrambling to catch up in such a fast-paced environment. A business has to perform many tasks to stay updated with such technological changes. It has to do away with the old, research the new and adapt to the changes and advancements. This mad dash can mean that information is not always communicated effectively. The purposes and benefits of new developments may not be clear to businesses. This situation gives rise to many Internet marketing misconceptions. The ground becomes ripe for wrong ideas and theories that spread.
Here are 2020’s biggest Internet marketing misconceptions.
Myth #1: Internet Marketing and Nothing Else
The number of people who have access to the Internet is increasing every year. More and more people not only have access to the Internet; they are using it more. People in the west have taken their purchasing activities entirely online. Developing countries are also catching up with easy and cheap access to Internet. This can give the illusion that Internet marketing alone will be enough.
That could not be a more wrong myth about Internet marketing. Traditional channels of marketing still have very important functions to play. There is still a huge global population which uses conventional forms of marketing. A business should have a healthy marketing mix.
Myth #2: Presence Alone Is Enough
Many businesses fall victim to this Internet marketing misconception. They think that establishing an online presence is enough. It is commonly believed that once a business has established an online infrastructure, they can leave it. The website and social media channels can exist for whoever wishes to use them.
This is a very outdated conception of digital marketing. It is also a recipe for disaster. Modern online marketing is all about customer engagement and interaction. Customers are used to interacting directly with companies arguably more than ever. You need to provide a steady stream of content to sustain your Internet marketing efforts. Your marketing will only bring success if your content is shared and is relevant for your audiences.
Myth #3: A Single Social Media Profile is Enough
Many businesses are still content in only having a profile on one social media channel. Some use Facebook, others prefer Twitter, and some rely solely on Instagram. This is a wrong idea and rooted in stereotypes about the different platforms. Facebook is seen as more official and respectable. Twitter is seen as open and free while Instagram is seen as trendy. The truth is, all of them are all of those things at once.
Choosing to forego any one of the platforms is crippling your own online user base. The marketing efforts which make the most waves are coordinated across all platforms. They naturally link and support each other. The content for them is tailored differently. As a business operating today, you should have profiles on all social media platforms. You can never predict when one might start to fade out as that new one you looked down on becomes the talk of the town.
Myth #4: Only Big Businesses Can Afford Internet Marketing
This is another myth about Internet marketing which is painfully inaccurate and outdated. This might have been true once when Internet marketing was still developing and the Internet was a lot more expensive to access.
Now, however, you can access your favorite websites from the palm of your hand. Social media platforms have removed the biggest barrier to marketing activity: cost. You don’t need money to set up profiles on Facebook and Twitter. Your business can make one right now and start marketing itself. Indeed it can be said that Internet marketing has proved more useful for small businesses.
Myth #5: SEO is Irrelevant
SEO, or search engine optimization, was one of the earlier online marketing methods. It is as old as the origins of Google and search bars. Unfortunately, some businesses today think it is irrelevant and outdated. That thinking is another Internet marketing misconception. It is tied to the idea that something old will always become redundant. That is not always the case. Sometimes, things persist because they work for a reason. SEO is still as useful—and arguably more useful than ever before.
The online marketplace of ideas and content has become more saturated than ever. Trying to form your own voice in such a competitive environment can be tough. SEO is the main tool to help you achieve a distinct identity. With proper SEO, your content can rank high across the Internet. You can target a global market and ensure that leads are generated.
Myth #6: Negativity is Bad
Many businesses remain stuck in old ideas about publicity and negativity. One common complaint about social media is the openness of criticism and negativity. A person can go right up to the CEO of a business and make a complaint.
The modern thinking is that any publicity is good publicity. A negative situation and review can be easily turned around. If a business takes time to address negativity, it can earn lifelong customer loyalty. Handling such cases with delicacy and sensitivity often makes all the right news. That is exactly what a business wants.
Conclusion
These are some of the current ongoing Internet marketing misconceptions. The point to note about these is that they are never permanent. These misconceptions may finish tomorrow and become the common notions of the day.
That is the case with technology and the Internet. The fast pace of development means that notions and understandings can change in no time. The old becomes new and the new becomes old. However, now that we’ve busted these myths, we recommend that you start working on your online presence today!
