Internet marketing is a playground that offers everyone equal opportunities, but some are able to grab more time on the swings and slide than the rest. And it’s not just because they’re the smartest and strongest in the field, it’s also because they learn from their mistakes and are quick to never repeat them. That is the main reason why internet marketers fail – because they fail to learn from their mistakes and continue to make them again and again.

The biggest mistake they make is to fail to understand their customers, both existing and potential. They try to market what they have rather than what the customer needs. They try to fit the customer to their products rather than trying to fit their products to the customer. And when they continue to do this, they lose their customers and don’t gain any new ones.

Consider the case of two salesmen who knock at your door; the first is selling books, but you cannot read because you are blind. But he still insists you buy them just so you can line your bookshelves. The second salesman too sells books, but when he sees that you’re blind, he is apologetic and sensitive. Also, he returns again the next day to sell you some Braille books. Now which of the two would you buy from? The answer is a no-brainer.

But unfortunately, most marketers are like Salesman No.1; they fail to move beyond their original sales spiel and are unable to change track when the straight and familiar path is somehow blocked. They do not try to find a window in the wall that is hindering them; rather they bang their heads against it in the hope that it will open. And they are more focused on the sale than the customer, little realizing that without the latter, the former is just not happening.

That is why we have repeated instances of “in-your-face” marketing where customers are flooded with emails and messages whether they want them or not; that is why they promise much but only flatter to deceive; and that is why they continue with what they have to say without stopping once to listen to the voice of the customer.

Marketers need to wake up to the fact that customers are becoming a more demanding group because of the numerous choices they have. They need to understand that unless they can lift their quality of service, they are going to lose out on even the smallest piece of the pie. And they need to know that if they don’t evolve with the changing times and make the customer a vital part of the sales equation, they are forever doomed to failure.

By-line:

This article is contributed by Susan White, who regularly writes on the subject of Internet Service. She invites your questions, comments at her email address: susan.white33@gmail.com.

Posted under Online Marketing

Cinco de Mayo, a joyous day. One that many look forward to as an excuse to get completely wasted…except google apparently.

Google is famous for their modified logos on special days of the year. This day, however, google.com is dead bare.

Looks like yahoo.com takes the cake with this one. They went all out!

Thanks Yahoo. We appreciate the enthusiasm. Google, maybe next year .

Posted under Online Marketing

As a follow up to GoDaddy.com Promo Code 2009, I realized it needed some updating.  For those of you who find themselves fans of  GoDaddy.com (or half-naked IndyCar driver, Danica Patrick), then it’s time to save money. It’s a tough economy which means “Coupons” and “Promo Codes” are 100% necessary. Just think what you could do with the $2.50 you’ll save when you type in gofivgind2. That’s a Burger King feast right there!

FatWallet vs. LiveCodes

There are currently 2 players that come up when you search “GoDaddy Coupon Codes”: FatWallet and LiveCodes. I found a pretty good list on FatWallet -  half the codes go inactive very quickly, though the forum itself is constantly being updated. Here’s the top of the list:

• cjc749fat – $7.49 .COMs (exp 5/31/10)
• cjcfat30 – $5 Off w/ $30 Purchase (exp 5/31/10)
• cjcfat50 – $10 Off w/ $50 Purchase (exp 5/31/10)
• cjcfat75 - 15% Off w/ $75 Purchase (exp 5/31/10)
• cjcfat10 – 10% off any purchase (exp 5/31/10)
• cjcfat20h – 20% off Shared Hosting (exp 5/31/10)

LiveCodes pretty much listed the same codes, but they have 1 up on FatWallet. Due to their blogging platform, it’s easier to find out if these codes are fresh or old news. Just look at the day it was posted.

Expiration

I anticipate that even these codes will go expired soon. That being said, feel free to check out the original sites or simply post comments below with updated codes. Either way works for me. Now go save some money!

*Choose a safe and secure webhost

Posted under Blogs, Online Marketing, Tech2.0, web design