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Internet Marketing as a Business Necessity

Authors:
  • University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Economics in Subotica

Abstract

The pace at which marketing discipline evolves each year is challenging for both individual marketing experts and companies as systems, which are permanently competing for global consumers. With the development of the Internet as the main channel and best opportunity for the implementation of the optimal “one-to-one” marketing model, Internet marketing as a new area of marketing theory and practice has emerged and is constantly improving. On the other side, the power and attractiveness of online surrounding have also transformed the way consumers behave, creating new patterns and lifestyle that have to be taken into account when creating appropriate Internet marketing strategies, far different from the traditional ones. Thus, the aim of this article is to examine fundamentals of Internet-based marketing, and to analyse challenges and opportunities that should be addressed by modern companies in their Internet marketing strategies, together with possible limitations and risks that emerged in the electronic marketplace. The method used in the article is secondary research, and implies a detailed analysis of researches and studies in the given field.
Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems 16(2), 265-274, 2018
* Corresponding author,
: olja.milovanov@ef.uns.ac.rs; +381 69 130 1224;
* Faculty of Economics in Subotica, Segedinski put 9-11, RS 24 000 Subotica, Republic of Serbia
INTERNET MARKETING AS
A BUSINESS NECESSITY
Aleksandar Grubor and Olja Jakša*
University of Novi Sad Faculty of Economics in Subotica
Subotica, Republic of Serbia
DOI: 10.7906/indecs.16.2.6
Regular article
Received: 27 November 2017.
Accepted: 9 May 2018.
ABSTRACT
The pace at which marketing discipline evolves each year is challenging for both individual marketing
experts and companies as systems, which are permanently competing for global consumers. With the
development of the Internet as the main channel and best opportunity for the implementation of the
optimal “one-to-one” marketing model, Internet marketing as a new area of marketing theory and
practice has emerged and is constantly improving. On the other side, the power and attractiveness of
online surrounding have also transformed the way consumers behave, creating new patterns and
lifestyle that have to be taken into account when creating appropriate Internet marketing strategies, far
different from the traditional ones. Thus, the aim of this article is to examine fundamentals of
Internet-based marketing, and to analyse challenges and opportunities that should be addressed by
modern companies in their Internet marketing strategies, together with possible limitations and risks
that emerged in the electronic marketplace. The method used in the article is secondary research, and
implies a detailed analysis of researches and studies in the given field.
KEY WORDS
internet marketing, digital marketing, online marketing, online consumer
CLASSIFICATION
JEL: L89, M31
A. Grubor and O. Jakša
266
INTRODUCTION
Globally, the number of web sites increased from 17 million in 2000 to 1 billion US$ in 2014 [1].
Worldwide business-to-consumer e-commerce sales increase by 20,1 % in 2014 reaching
1500 trillion US$ [2]. There is an expansion of online and mobile users across the globe,
especially from emerging markets, m-commerce sales is constantly rising, shipping and
payment options have been simplified and major global brands have been pushed into new
international markets [2]. The age of Internet and digitalization is here, and Internet economy
is growing rapidly each day.
Following improvements in mobile and tablet technology, together with social media,
marketing has set itself in a new, complex and challenging market environment. Internet has
become the primary business playground and the most popular communication channel,
creating new rules and new roles on both supply and demand side, and Internet marketing and
e-commerce have emerged as a major preoccupations and business skills in all industrial
branches. Marketing has become completely new discipline today compared with the one that
was known a decade ago, making traditional marketing methods less effective and expensive [3].
Thus, the aim of this article is to examine fundamentals of Internet-based marketing, starting
with pointing out its scope and terminology variety, since it is a wide used term and very
popular subject of research. By analysing online customer behaviours and new models of
interaction and communication among customers, authors point out all challenges and
opportunities that should be addressed by modern companies in their Internet marketing
strategies, together with limitations and risks that emerged in electronic marketplace. Relying
on secondary research method, that implies detailed analysis of researches and studies in the
given field, the article has made a contribution in modern discussion how Internet
improvements are going to create even more dynamic and challenging business environment
in just next few years, and point out that embracing digital marketplace rules and engaging in
full range of Internet marketing activities is a necessity for companies across all industries.
INTERNET MARKETING SCOPE AND TERMINOLOGY
Internet marketing is a term that is expanding its scope each day. Besides, communication
with consumers through the Internet channel is getting various forms and names almost each
day. Generally, this is the area that implies fast changes and new dimensions in all its
segments. Thus, it is important to become familiar and follow the pace of all changes in
Internet marketing, given that there is a whole new terminology connected with a variety of
Internet-based marketing approaches and strategies that are fundamental for gaining
sustainable competitive advantage.
The most common comparison is made between Digital and Internet marketing. These two
terms are similar but not synonyms. Even though Digital marketing is also known as Internet
marketing, online marketing, web marketing or data-driven marketing [4], it is the umbrella
term for a group of marketing processes that exploit all available digital channels and Internet
technologies with the aim of promotion of branded products and services. Its development is
a direct result of the increased electronic data, digital media usage and its impact in business
sphere globally. So, its development has primarily followed Internet improvements, which is
the reason why it has so many manifestations.
Some authors claim that Digital marketing and Internet marketing are not the same things [5].
Accordingly, Digital marketing is wider term that includes both online and offline digital
technologies and multiple channels under it, while Internet marketing bases its activities only
on the Internet. Some of digital marketing channels are “sms marketing, digital print ads,
Internet marketing as a business necessity
267
television marketing, radio advertising, etc.” [5; p.29]. This is not the case with Internet
marketing, given that some of Digital marketing channels don’t necessarily require Internet
connection. Furthermore, both Digital and Internet marketing cover web, search, social
media, e-mail, digital advertising and media buying [6], and both are very effective in
conducting, analysing and measuring total effects of marketing campaigns.
Internet marketing use modern technologies and Internet connection for reaching marketing
objectives [7]. Some of the most common subjects that various authors addressed in their
scientific papers are linked with marketing mix evolution because of wide Internet adoption [8].
Internet channels superiority over traditional channels and media, emergence of new marketing
channels etc. [9, 10]. Further, in this article, authors will focus on Internet marketing analysis
from the perspective of new consumer behaviour, Internet marketing channels strategy.
INTERNET CUSTOMERS INSIGHT
Internet and modern technology also transformed the way people behave, interact,
communicate and purchase. Big data has become not only the business reality, but also the
reality of each consumer, that has to adopt to the informational age and develop new patterns
of behaviour. Entering the Internet market companies are actually taking the veil of a massive
market and new age audience that cannot be ignored [11].
Internet customers are easy for tracking, especially because smartphones has become
dominant medium for accessing Internet across all age groups [12]. They prefer digital
channels for investigating, selecting and purchasing brands [13].
Internet customers are not passive observers of the market happenings; they are active
participants of a dialog with companies, co-creators of marketing strategies and active judges
of all companies’ activities and decisions. Their power is related to four sources [14; p.51]:
(i) “technological right to be heard; (ii) economic right to choose; (iii) social right to be
informed, and (iv) legal right to safety”.
Besides sharing information about products and services they use, they are highly attracted
with multiple options for sharing information about themselves [15]. Yung [16] described
online public as “discerning, fragmented and cynical”, indicating the amount of freedom,
space and power they gained over the last few years. Online consumers are very demanding
in terms of their satisfaction with marketing communication and experience with the products
and services they use. Information without engagement and entertainment is not enough for
reaching delight [15]. Consumers are looking for special, different and hyper-personalized
content all the time that is in accordance with their lifestyle and ideal self-image. They use all
online options to discover the best solution for their interests.
Phases that consumer passes through while engaging with brands in online environment are [11]:
awareness, engagement, purchase, post purchase, advocacy, and brand evangelist. They
expect the relevant and inspiring content at every point of their journey.
INTERNET MARKETING CHANNELS
Although, beginnings of Internet marketing are associated with advertising boom and first
versions of search engine optimisation (SEO) in 1995 [17], today, it is an umbrella term for
“email marketing, search engine optimization, social media marketing, pay per click, display
ads on websites, gaming advertising, search engine marketing, call back or hold-on mobile
ring tone, etc.” [5; p.30]. Internet marketing is a subset of Digital marketing, its main
component, and it exploits dominantly Internet channel for the promotion of brands. Major
channels of Internet marketing are the following [5]:
A. Grubor and O. Jakša
268
Web Site,
Search Engine Marketing,
Social Media Marketing,
Content Marketing,
E-mail Marketing,
Mobile Marketing,
Banner Advertising.
Web site is a starting point in Internet marketing campaign and communication with
customers [18]. It is a “place” in digital space “owned” by a company, where all information
about the company and its products can be found. This is also the final destination of all
banners, social media profiles, texts and similar content that exist across the Internet about
the company. Specific and very popular type of web site is blog, which generates its power to
make an influence on consumers by providing information about particular subject (usually about
products) in a form of personal opinion, usually given by an expert or just an ordinary consumer
that is expressing his first impressions about the subject in a form of personal diary [19]. The
idea that stands behind blogging is electronic word-of-mouth and encouraging communication
about the product between consumers that has experience with it.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a tool for increasing visibility of a company’s website and
making online promotion of a company more effective. It uses paid advertisements links (pay
per click platforms e.g. Google Adwords) and Search Engine Optimization (e.g. Google,
Bing, Yahoo) for acceleration of website traffic specifically, the aim is to attract as many
targeted users as possible and to increase visits to a website and awareness of company’s
brands [18]. In this process, special attention should be put on the process of designing
unique and attractive content for the targeted audience.
Social media marketing is “an innovative tool that organizations use for creating a very strong
public relation with the customers on the virtual networks” [20]. Social media platforms (e.g.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn etc.) consist of large and various communities of
customers that are not that easily available and visible in traditional channels. Those groups
have a great power in sharing information about the company and its products, expressing
personal opinion, rating their experience that can be both positive and negative. Social media
web sites help in enhancing the communication with all users, and each social media site
demands different approaches, techniques and strategies of marketing. Conducting marketing
through social media networks “is not about you getting your story out; it’s about your customers;
it’s about being more transparent, earning trust, and building credibility” [21; p.36]. Social
networks provide great opportunity for reaching maximum results with minimum investment [22].
Content marketing is “a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing
valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience and,
ultimately, to drive profitable customer action” [23; p.8]. It is a “good story about the
company that is described in hundred words, without mentioning company’s references,
brands and all other superlatives, and that, even without these components, carry attributes
authentic, focused, and relevant” [20]. The aim is driving and retaining customer action and
interaction with company and its brands with authentic, original and inspiring content.
E-mail Marketing is the direct way for personal and customized communication with new
and old customers. It helps in reaching more customers and conveying a wide variety of
messages in creative forms with the possibility of getting direct feedback from customers’
and measuring its effectiveness easily [5]. E-mail marketing campaigns are cost effective,
personalised, fast, massive but targeted, approved by consumers that are usually consciously
registered on the companies e-mail list, easily tracked etc. However, it is very important to
Internet marketing as a business necessity
269
avoid spamming consumers with lot of information that are not relevant but rather sent just to
remember the consumers about the company’s presence.
Mobile marketing is about creating content or ads that is viewable and suitable for a mobile
device [18]. It implies “any marketing activity conducted through a ubiquitous network to
which consumers are constantly connected using a personal mobile device” [24; p.132].
Mobile marketing has become business necessity in the last few years, given that “the extent
of mobile engagement by consumers is so pervasive that it can’t be ignored by any business”,
and implying that “all marketing must be optimized for mobile, first” [15]. Smart phones are
devices that are always “in the pocket” of its users, with constant connection to the Internet,
so the opportunity mobile marketing provides for a company is creating fully customised
information to customers, depending of their location, time, activities and other data about the
person that could be tracked through mobile device and application installed on it.
Display Advertising is focused on the usage of visual elements like images, videos,
animations, rather than test, in creating brand awareness and image, and finally sales [5].
Internet marketing channels, together with all possibilities and opportunities they give for
growing business online, can also be presented as “The Internet marketing tree”. The main
parts of the tree deep roots, sturdy trunk and branches demonstrate priority and order in
conducting Internet marketing strategy [25].
INTERNET MARKETING STRATEGY
The creation of new positions like Chief Digital Officer (CDO), Chief Information Officer
(CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and various others testify how important is for a
company to keep up with trends in digital age, especially in terms of transformation of
traditional organizational systems and cultures. Consulting firm Russell Reynolds
Associates describes the CDO as “an individual who helps a company drive growth by
converting traditional analogue businesses to digital ones, and by overseeing operations in
the rapidly-changing digital sectors like mobile applications, social media and related
applications, virtual goods, as well as wild web-based information management and
marketing” [26]. Accordingly, in the years ahead, whole marketing discipline must be
adapted to the new business climate. Understanding Internet marketing postulates and all the
possibilities of its channels is the essence of new age marketing strategy.
Successful Internet marketing strategy requires integrated campaign, collaboration and
coordination of all actions and actors, in order to avoid generating duplicate or unadjusted
content that is not aligned with the general marketing aim. Transparency is on the highest
level, and each activity is recorded and can be tracked [15]. “Marketers must move from the
reactionary (cost-centre) mentality but view themselves as growth strategists and execute a
digital plan around their member’s buying journey including awareness, consideration,
purchase, adoption and advocacy.” [15].
Sweetwood [6; p.5] explained that the basic marketing specialist’s skills today are associated
with data management, analytics, data governance and reporting. Besides, he highlighted the
role of Inbound marketing and the art of engaging with customers in every point of decision
journey, by creating a “deeper and more intelligent conversation with potential customers”.
Inbound marketing, as one of the basic Internet marketing strategies, refers to the preferred
and highly effective approach in reaching consumers who are overloaded with information
from different media, and refers to catching consumer attention by providing value that will
firstly create a relationship, develop trust and finally lead to sales [27].
Guidance for effective Internet marketing strategy, given by Vaughan [3] emphasizes the
following important ingredients of “inbound” approach:
A. Grubor and O. Jakša
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creating a keyword strategy and optimising website in order to be easy found by
customers through SEO,
creating blog and marketing offers driving the right people to your business and offering
a value for them,
promoting content through social media using the “buzz” power of social media platforms
and creating a group of advocates that will engage in sharing of the company’s content viral,
converting web site traffic into leads transforming visitors of a web site into potential
consumers,
nurturing leads with targeted messages staying at the top-of-the-mind of potential
customers and creating a desire for purchase,
optimizing marketing for mobile viewing making all content and offerings optimized for
mobile devices,
analysing and refining business and marketing strategies conducting examination of
marketing strategy from the beginning to the end and improving it in all points.
Given that customers are very attracted with making an impact among members of their
online social community, influencer marketing together with content marketing has become
very effective and creative tools in “reaching multiple micro-markets that company wouldn’t
traditionally reach in online or TV advertising campaigns” [15].
Internet marketing demands a holistic strategy and engagement of all the channels that are
available in online space, with constant evaluation and improvement of Internet marketing
manager skills and expertise.
Riefenstahl [28; p.90] suggested that when planning Internet marketing strategy, companies
should “focus on rational and emotional benefits for the company, products or services in
each medium”. Besides, he gave the next tips that should be taken into account in making
marketing plans [28]:
each company should have its own web site,
company’s web site must be optimized for desktop, iOS, Android phones and tablet usage,
blogging is a great tool for keeping in touch with customers, and blog section on web site
should be inspirational,
communication should be crafted according to different interests of multiple target audiences,
all marketing messages in each medium should be integrated carefully,
public profiles of all employees should be in accordance with organizational image and interests,
design of all messages is very important part of communication and driving attention,
talking through videos and live streaming is effective in online communication,
highlight and distinguish business from competition with a unique message,
engaging with customers through social media is necessity,
track customers interests and adapt permanently.
Generally, according to Jones et al. [17], there are three general cornerstone principles of
Internet marketing that are crucial for success in virtual market: (i) immediacy with timely
response to the audience, (ii) personalization, and (iii) relevance of information.
The power of marketing strategy in Internet environment, especially through social media platforms,
is the fact that with investing less money a company can reach higher scores, and additionally,
comparing with traditional marketplace, there are no geographical and time limitations [29].
LIMITATIONS AND POSSIBLE RISKS OF INTERNET MARKETING
On the other side, when planning optimal online strategy, it is very important to be aware of
all limitations and possible risks of Internet marketing implementation.
Internet marketing as a business necessity
271
Empowering customers to be informed, to say or write directly what they thing and what they
want, mean demanding much more than a company maybe initially planned to give [30]. All
stakeholders are looking for long-term relationships that are based on high value delivery, and
business partners are necessary if a company want to keep the pace with innovation [31].
Additionally, the competition in electronic marketplace is tougher than ever, switching from one
to another product is easier than ever, since diversity of supply is high, which makes the process
of engaging customers and keeping their loyalty one of the most difficult tasks of a company.
In online world, content is everything. It is one of basic means of Internet marketing and
social media that have become “new hybrid component of integrated marketing
communications” that is a powerful weapon in engaging customers and create meaningful
relationships [32; pp.357-360]. However, controlling content is not an easy task it is rather
a challenging issue that is in forefront of each successful Internet marketing strategy. The
second dilemma in online business is weather a company should have both social media
business page and website, or just the first one. The importance of professional company’s
website is growing and it has become a standard in Internet marketing strategy, since it allow
“better search engine marketing, full control of content and consequently better branding” [4].
Limitations and risks in Internet marketing content also depends on the level of development
of a country. Primarily, they were linked with “connection costs, connection speeds, limited
credit card availability and usage, lack of secure online payment methods, availability of local
content, availability of own-language web sites, logistical barriers related to physical product
delivery and fulfilment, etc.” [33]. Gregorio et al [34] summed all these restraints, on both
developed and developing markets, in six important predictors of e-business activities:
(i) English language capabilities, (ii) internet infrastructure, (iii) computer infrastructure,
(iv) affordable telephone service, (v) literacy rates, and (vi) logistical infrastructure.
Server and data limitations, reaching specific groups of consumers, making backups and
various other can also harm a strategy, so a company should always have a backup plan in
case of their manifestation.
CONCLUSION
Internet technology has moved the boundaries in company-customer relationship, and
completely transformed management and organizational processes. For marketing discipline,
connected world has brought plethora of opportunities and challenges.
In this article, authors have examined Internet marketing from various perspectives. Since its
grooving importance and popularity in business circles, it was important to point out its scope
and terminology. Likewise, observation of online customer behaviours and new models of
interaction and communication among customer in marketing generally, and now in Internet
environment especially, is absolutely necessary for spotting right directions of marketing
operations. In addition, authors point out all challenges and opportunities that should be
addressed by modern companies in their Internet marketing strategies, together with
limitations and risks that emerged in electronic marketplace. Finally, the article has given
contribution in modern discussion how Internet improvements are going to create even more
dynamic and challenging business environment in just next few years, and point out that
embracing digital marketplace rules and engaging in full range of Internet marketing
activities is a necessity for companies across all industries.
On the other side, besides numerous opportunities, implementation of Internet marketing and
reaching success in this area is not an easy task. Online audience is “discerning, fragmented
and cynical” more than ever [16]. Modern customers are highly demanding in terms of content
and experience they get from companies and brands, and very interested and active in interaction
A. Grubor and O. Jakša
272
with the members of their online network through word-of-mouth communication that
resonates across the whole market. For a company, this can be a chance as well as obstacle,
which is the reason why crafting right marketing strategy in each phase of customer journey
is crucial for converting potential consumers into advocates. With ever-changing products,
services and technology, timely response and adoption to a new market reality (with reaching
the highest level of consumer satisfaction), requires much skill and effort. Acquaintance of
the essence of Internet marketing methods and manifestations is vital in competitive business
landscape. It means dealing with a variety of online business options as well as mastering
new rules of Internet marketing strategy and creating “digital relationship” with customers [35].
Keeping up with trends, innovations and new patterns of behaviour of both competitors and
customers has become an important part of the process of creating distinctive competitive
advantage and reaching targeted segments of customers in digital age. Virtual world provides
a lot of room for improvements, creative strategic approaches and superior performance it
is up to a company how will take advantage of it.
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... Technology and especially the widespread use of the Internet have enabled the development of new approaches in marketing, defined as electronic marketing, and have led to the emergence of Internet-based marketing practices within the scope of electronic marketing (Taylor and Strutton, 2010). One of the most intensively used channels in Internet-based marketing is a website (Grubor and Jakša, 2018). Websites are very important in terms of providing the opportunity to obtain information and a virtual experience without a time limit, especially in the service sector, which has a structure that cannot be experienced beforehand (Guan et al., 2022). ...
... The paper concludes by laying out the implications for marketing strategists. Grubor, A. (2018).The pace at which marketing discipline evolves each year is challenging for both individual marketing experts and companies as systems, which are permanently competing for global consumers. With the development of the Internet as the main channel and best opportunity for the implementation of the optimal "one-to-one" marketing model, Internet marketing as a new area of marketing theory and practice has emerged and is constantly improving. ...
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... It has also been argued that in the developing world of increasing competition and trade relations in organisations, the consumers' attraction has become extremely essential and even more challenging for companies to attract new and potential consumers (Grubor and Jaksa, 2018;Vera, 2018). Therefore, organisations are utilizing numerous tools in order to attract new clients and the Internet is performing a big part in this process (Schwarzl and Grabowska, 2015;Vera, 2018). ...
Thesis
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