Online marketing:  A simple website with a clear direction can get the job done online.     By John Bolduan RealWebMarketing.com

Many people are confused these days in the land of online marketing. The average Joe who doesn't know anything about online marketing assumes that getting more sales or leads from the Internet must require massive budgets and the most advanced web technology. People generally think that technology will solve all the problems with getting more clients, but the truth is, it doesn't. Look at these two scenarios:

Scenario #1

Imagine yourself rolling down the road in the latest luxury automobile of your choice. It has all the controls, sleek design and leather interior for high comfort. It even has a DVD player so others can be entertained while you drive! Now imagine that you're driving with no particular destination in mind. You're driving aimlessly down the road, but you feel like you're going somewhere! 

Scenario #2

Now imagine you're driving in an economy car, a few years old, like an Escort or something along those lines. It has no CD player or cassette player and it's not very comfortable. Those seats get hard over time you know. This one has no cruise control or navigation system, but there is one thing it does have. A driver who has an expressed purpose of driving from Minneapolis to Des Moines. 

Obviously you see the point. A clear direction or purpose with marginal assets beats out an aimless luxury. But when it comes to online marketing, many people miss this. Go to any website and take a look at how some of the most highly ranked, successful websites aren't necessarily the most high tech or glamorous. Now, I have nothing against high tech as long as there is a clear purpose behind it. But if there is no clear, simple and straightforward purpose that people can easily discern, then you're wasting money, time and goodwill. In the early days online, people assumed that just getting highly listed on search engines translated into sales, new clients or leads. That was wrong thinking then and it's wrong thinking now. The basic concept of online marketing hasn't changed one bit even as technology grows. So don't be discouraged if you don't have the largest budget for your website, just make it clear and give people a simple, easy solution. I know this works from personal experience.

My point is that when it comes to online marketing, you may want to look at your website and ask yourself several questions.

1. Is the purpose of our website easily understood and clear?

2. Are there things that distract the people who find you?

3. Is gee-whiz technology overshadowing the purpose or is it complimentary?

4. What can I do to simplify our offering and online marketing?

Finally, remember why you started a website, and don't tell me it was because everyone else had one. If you can't remember why, then find out why today!