What is Internet Marketing?

Depending on whom you ask, the term Internet marketing can mean a variety of things. At one time, Internet marketing consisted mostly of having a website or placing banner ads on other websites. On the other end of the spectrum, there are loads of companies telling you that you can make a fortune overnight on the Internet and who try to sell you some form of "Internet marketing program".
Today, Internet marketing is evolving into a broader mix of components a company can use as a means of increasing sales - even if your business is done completely online, partly online, or completely offline. The decision to use Internet marketing as part of a company's overall marketing strategy is strictly up to the company of course, but as a rule, Internet marketing is becoming an increasingly important part of nearly every company's marketing mix. For some online businesses, it is the only form of marketing being practiced.
Internet Marketing Objectives

Essentially, Internet marketing is using the Internet to do one or more of the following:
* Communicate a company's message about itself, its products, or its services.
* Conduct research as to the nature (demographics, preferences, and needs) of
existing and potential customers.
* Sell goods, services, or advertising space over the Internet.

Components of Internet marketing (also referred to as online marketing) may include:
1. A website
2. Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
3. Email marketing
4. Banner advertising
5. Online promotion, etc
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What is Internet Marketing and How Can it Help My Home Business?
By Randy Duermyer, for More Information See : About.com