The Basics of a Home-Based Internet Marketing Business

The rise of internet marketing has been phenomenal in recent years, to say the least. It has provided income-generating opportunities for millions of people and it has effectively diminished the geographical differences that separated people from potential jobs. Now, more and more people are starting home-based internet marketing businesses full-time or at least, to supplement income from their regular job.Internet marketing explainedInternet marketing is also called online marketing or sometimes, e-marketing. Defined simply, it refers to the type of marketing or business that promotes and distributes products using the Internet. It is also the term used to refer to the Web-based advertising that businesses use to spread information about their products and promote their business.Advantages of home-based internet marketing businessesAs a home-based business, internet marketing is a perfect model. It can be started from home, does not require specialized training, uses only minimum equipment or computer applications and in many cases, does not require large start-up costs or significant inventory. Internet marketing is also very convenient, not only because it can be run from virtually anywhere online access is available but also because it allows for more efficient distribution of information and targeting of the market. Internet marketing, for example, is one of only a few types of businesses that can rely exclusively on e-mail marketing and other digital media for sales, promotion and even customer service.Limitations of internet marketing businessesAlthough highly effective, there are also certain limitations to an internet marketing business as a work-from-home initiative. It tends to be biased towards new technologies, obviating more traditional techniques. This means that an internet marketer has to be on his feet all the time to ensure that his site and strategies remain relevant. The fact that most customers cannot physically come in contact with the product prior to purchase can also be limiting, prompting internet marketing business owners to offer broader return policies. Online security is also a concern, which means that a business that cannot assure its customers of high standards of security will stand to lose them. However, the advent of new technologies and the imposition of more stringent regulations should improve customers' responses.Types of home-based internet marketing businessesThere are several types of home-based internet marketing businesses that are considered effective for this model. These includeOnline commerceOnline commerce, also known as e-commerce, involves the sale and distribution of goods to consumers through the Internet. There are two ways to do this: (1) by setting up your own website and using that as an online shop where customers can browse, order and purchase and (2) setting up an account with an auction site and selling the goods from there. Either way, there would have been an exchange of goods and services for a specific or agreed-upon price. Online commerce allows entrepreneurs plenty of freedom to sell what they want at a competitive price. It also affords them the luxury of time since order taking and purchasing can be automated and easier to manage.So which products sell in today's electronic marketplace? Just about anything that someone wants to buy. It's truly up to the seller which goods to focus on in order to achieve his sales and profit goals.Service-based commerceOther than goods, online service-based commodities enjoy brisk business as home-based internet marketing businesses. Services traditionally available only offline can now be offered as part of an internet marketing business. Booking services for airlines and cruises, party needs, life coaching, photography services, web design, etc. are just a few of the home-based businesses that have become part of internet marketing.MLM or Multi-Level MarketingMulti-level marketing is one of the oldest business models still in existence today. Also known as network marketing, MLM has transitioned from a person-to-person and door-to-door approach model to the internet-based business that it is today and with great success. Most network marketers prefer to run their MLM businesses actively through internet marketing because the medium is a lot faster, cheaper and more convenient. Searching for and communicating to prospects, for example, can be completed within a 24- to 48-hour period. Traditional ways of doing marketing, on the other hand, require much more time and effort.Publishing and advertisingAnother very lucrative method of running an internet marketing business is by setting up a website and selling advertising space. Many personal (and even business) websites and blogs use this method to monetize their sites. In fact, it is considered as one of the top 5 ways to earn an income from a website. As a home-based internet marketer, however, becoming a publisher does carry with it certain requirements. A site, for example, has to have a large number of following in order to become attractive to advertisers and sponsors. However, a website with sufficient traffic should be able to do well with this pay-for-performance model.