A lot of businesses are already doing some kind of promotion on the Internet. Someone has their own site, pages on social networks, while others use the Internet for internal and external communication. In order to get the most out of your online promotion, it is imperative that you know the common man’s (read: your potential client’s) background when using the Internet. Times are changing, which entails changing habits, desires, demands,… In this article I will try to shed more light on some of the basic facts that the Internet has brought to us and how these facts have built an online behavior model. So let’s get started…
facts that shape online behavior
1. There are no secrets on the Internet
We all need to be aware of this. Google and Facebook (as leaders in their business) know a lot about us. Google keeps track of what we search online, what sites we visit, how long we stay on topics that are of interest to us, and even where we currently are (by our IP address). Facebook, on the other hand, collects our personal information, our interests, tracks what we like, share, comment on, and where we click. It even assumes who our best friend is (based on the photos we share). Facebook virtually has our own personal information that we would rarely reveal to anyone.
Why are Google and Facebook doing this? Because it is their policy to show you the content that interests you, which is most relevant to you. This way, you will find more links/posts about cars in your search or News Feed, if you are a follower of the auto industry, about parenting if you have recently become a parent, about maintaining your air conditioner if you are actively looking to buy air conditioning. Do you understand the whole concept? This goes so far that you get a personalized search based on your site with companies positioned better that are physically closer to you (If their SEO does a good job and have a verified address on Google Maps, of course).
2. It takes you about 10 seconds to find the information you are looking for
Until 10 years ago, the biggest comparative advantage of a company was access to quality information. Whoever had the information knew where to get better goods or services, where to sell more expensively, or what he had the potential to invest in. Today, however, with the development of the Internet, information is at our fingertips, that is, in our pocket – on our mobile phones.
What makes a comparative advantage of an enterprise or individual today is knowledge, and this functional knowledge of how to use all that available information. All you need to know is how to get the relevant information (available to us) and how to use it for the right purposes.
3. The most expensive resource is time
It’s something you can’t give back. That’s why it’s important that you prepare content that will save someone else’s time. Give them the right information, at the right time, in the right place. If you save people time, you get them as customers.
What do these facts mean for today’s Internet user?
This primarily means that users get what they want to see and read online. They get content tailored to their interests, content that is useful to them, and saves them time.
People are getting smarter and pickier. On this basis, they choose content on the Internet that is useful or convenient for them. It is up to you to create such content, to find out how your clients want you to contact them, and when is the right time to do so. To build a relationship with every potential client as you build a friendship. As I said, time is short and information is plentiful, so everyone chooses what to consume online. Ours is only to adapt to today’s situation and make the most of it.
A Few Closing Tips
As someone involved in online marketing and the promotion of online companies, these facts have given me great starting points in defining an online strategy and in guiding website visitors and social media sites to the goals I have defined. I will share a few tips with you to help you communicate better with your customers online, and therefore develop a better sales channel.
1. React quickly
Given that life is so fast-paced nowadays, you need to react quickly. The response time that is desirable when someone sends you a query is significantly reduced. Technology today has given us the ability to have an entire business in our pocket on a single mobile phone. For example, if you are connected to your Facebook account and someone sends you a question, you are able to respond immediately. It’s the same with email. The faster you respond to people, the more they perceive you as a relevant source and trust in the company you represent.
2. Introduce a more personal communication
People love when they have the feeling that you are addressing them personally, 1 on 1. They then talk not to your company but to you, and people trust people, not corporations. Put your signature beside your answer (for example, if you are responding from a business profile) and give a personal stamp to your answers. In a word, be original – people will trust you more if they know who you really are.
3. Use all available online tools
There are a variety of software available that will help you with improving online communication or will automate certain processes so you have more time to create quality content or 1-on-1 communication with your customers. Some of these tools are free and some aren’t. It is up to you to create the ideal blend to save your time and give your customers the right information at the right time, along with a motivational call to action that is in line with your online strategy.
Take a look at the tools I use every day that I strongly recommend.
4. Search, compare, communicate
As the Internet provides you with an abundance of useful information, as well as the ability to target in detail (due to the fact that it knows everything about us), take advantage of the ability to analyze and tailor the content to your target audience. This will greatly increase your conversion rate and lower your online promotion costs.
If you’d like to learn more, just give our other blog posts a read, I’m sure you’ll find the info you’re looking for.
Need help?
You are busy with your business or simply need help creating an online marketing strategy? Contact us and we will educate you that you can run your online business on your own, or, if you hire us, we will create and manage your online strategy.
