Online Questionaires: Whats the point of it all?

Online Surveys Versus Traditional Market Research

As already explained digital marketing is quickly overtaking the traditional methods of marketing.  Historically, email has always been the most important channel to solicit respondents to take online surveys.  However it is now becoming increasing difficult to engage with consumers, which is not surprising as Webmail Usage is on the decline.   

 Social Networks

As consumers continue to use Social Networks such as Facebook, businesses have now established and taken advantage of the high use of these social networks, using them as their primary online destination.  Businesses are looking for survey-taking opportunities directly within the social networks; gaining wider exposure and contact with their consumers during their leisure time.

The Browser Toolbar; Can do more than you think!

The web browser to this day still remains the most common window through which consumers view content via the internet. Businesses now have the use of 'ZoomPanel Toolbar', which acts like a Facebook application, providing survey invites and profile opportunities within the web browser, related to the search.

With businesses targeting their questionnaires through social network sites and internet toolbars, could this mean less email spamming but more online annoyance? 

Have your say.. 

So whats the use of all this digital marketing enhancement?

So what even is digital marketing? - ‘Digital Marketing uses all digital media, including the internet, mobile, and interactive channels, to develop communication and exchanges with customers’ (Pride and Ferrell 2012).

There has been a major shift from traditional marketing methods.  Digital marketing allows the world to communicate through various forms of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs, forums and RSS Feeds. 

Digital media allows companies to quickly interact with the public and potential consumers.  It also provides them with an ever increasing database of customers.  It is all about being visible to potential customers and partners, gaining exposure to a wide consumer base.  Companies that are able to engage in digital media successfully are always at the forefront of the consumers mind.

There are many benefits of online marketing:

• Helps attract prospective customers
• Marketing your business online with targeted pay per click advertising allows businesses to draw in customers
• Reduces costs, and increases a faster reaction time
• Adverts can potentially become instant sales
• Increases interaction with business and consumer

Many organisations now engage with online marketing for example, River Island uses Twitter to advertise new daily products and style tips, as well as incorporating celebrity endorsements such as Rhianna to gain attention.  They also feature the #hashtag system in which they can gain feedback from their consumers. 

 The impressive thing about digital media is the instant effectiveness of communicating organisations advertisements, stimulating demand.  Businesses are now able to interact with consumers and gain feedback from them too, much quicker than ever before.  It is increasingly evident that digital marketing is revolutionising the way that organisations communicate and connect with their customer base.

But what do you think?..

Why do Businesses Blog?

Why do Businesses blog?

A blog can be defined as "a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links" (Marketing Terms 2012). 

Blogs are now seen as another form of social media, enabling interaction from the internet to the audience.  

Business's have now tapped into the rising prominence of blogging and the potential influence that blogs have on customers.  Businesses use blogs to their advantage, allowing easy and direct communication between them and their potential customers.  Blogging provides organisations the opportunity to express their own thoughts and keep the public updated on recent activities, portraying a positive brand image.

According to Thach (2010), retailers use social media outlets such as blogs so that if their readers see what they like, they will most likely visit the site for updates and further news.  Retailers use blogs to make shoppers feel special and to create an online community.  

Worldwide retailers Urban Outfitters and River Island use their Facebook page and blogging site to not only keep their customers in the know about their discounts and in store-events, but to promote community-orientated opportunities like possible jobs and sharing behind the scenes secrets. 

Check out these retailing blogs :
http://www.styleinsider.riverisland.com/blog/?p=blog
http://blog.urbanoutfitters.com/