e- MARKETING

Internet marketing is the marketing of products and services using the Internet as its medium. Lower costs of dissemination of information and a global audience are its main advantages. Internet marketing also encompasses digital customer data management and electronic customer relationship management (ECRM), which are widely used in businesses today.

The importance of Internet marketing strategies has increased with the growth and importance of the Internet. Most established companies are vying online space today and seek to adopt web marketing strategies to increase traffic to their company's homepage. Internet marketing helps add potential customers and the number of quality leads to your website as well. In fact, most organizations can adopt Internet marketing and advertising strategies to generate better business.

Internet marketing tools can be used to find the hotspot of your website — the place that gets the most traffic. These tools can also help ensure a top ranking for your site or software programs to repair broken links.

Another way to increase your revenue via Internet marketing is to use keyword suggestion tools. Keyword research is a very important aspect of an Internet marketing campaign. If a site is not targeting the right keywords, in all probability it is losing potential customers. Low rankings, as a result of bad keywords, could translate to low earnings as well. A better approach is to find out what the popular keywords related to your product or service and analyze the search volumes for them. Many keyword research tools can be found online.

Internet marketing can be enhanced by enriching one's website. Great designs and content might better attract users to a particular website. Aesthetically please sites generally attract more visitors but so do functional sites. While a site should be visually pleasing and reach out to a broadly-defined demographic group, it should also be user-friendly.

Keeping an eye on the effectiveness of an Internet marketing strategy is also important. Internet marketing is not all about huge advertising costs and a successful website launch. The effectiveness of marketing tools will also have to be monitored to ensure that the approach continues to be fruitful. There are a number of site optimization and email marketing tools that are available today. Careful analysis and selection of internet marketing strategies will help ensure business success.

Today, there is no dearth of web marketers who will help implement web advertisements and assure top search engine rankings. To achieve this, web marketers will undertake a detailed market analysis, competitor analysis and come up with an effective internet marketing strategy to steer a website to the top of the leading search engines

IMPORT AND EXPORTS

Import export businesses, also known as international trading, are one of the hottest commercial trends of this decade. American companies trade in over 2.5 trillion dollars a year in merchandise, of which small businesses control over 95 percent. As the owner of an import export enterprise, you can work as a distributor by focusing on exporting and importing goods and services that cannot be obtained on national soil (e.g., Russian caviar and French perfumes) or those that are cheaper when imported from other countries (e.g., Chinese electronics). In addition, you can also open an export management company (EMC), where you can help an existing corporation market its products in a foreign country by arranging the shipping and storing of the merchandise for them without doing the actual selling. EMCs can specialize in one industry or work with different types of import export manufacturers. It is also possible to act as a broker for a company, working on commission over the actual sales. This is a great choice for products that are guaranteed to sell because of high demand or an established brand name.

While basically any country can offer opportunities for import export trade, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and China have topped the trading chart for the past two decades. In the last few years, countries in the former Soviet Union and South America have become major players, but there's still much to learn about trading with these new markets.

Opening an import export business requires an initial investment of Rs 2,00,000 or more, depending not only on the type of merchandise you're setting up to market, but also on whether you plan on working from home or renting an office, hiring employees, etc. Compared to other businesses, however, import export companies have a very low startup cost. While most products can be exported without the need for licenses, some specialty products or high-risk items, such as firearms or pharmaceuticals, may require special government permits. If that's the case, costs may run considerably higher.

To get started, it may be sensible to consult with the local Board of Trade (or the Chamber of Commerce in smaller cities) or call Consulates and Embassies to find out if they have import export programs set up. Many embassies even have a special department to promote the export of their goods to other countries and are more than happy to help potential import export traders. 

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

In a world that operates with a number of different currencies around the world, there is a need for services that allow for the orderly conversion of one type of currency to another. This is where the concept of a currency exchange comes into being. Essentially, a currency exchange is a service that is able to accept currencies of different countries and provide currency for a particular country in exchange. Transactions of this sort are conducted for a fee, and at the current rate of exchange.

A currency exchange service also is able to provide a number of other services that are related to foreign money, document provision, and currency trading. Here are some examples of what a currency exchange normally provides in the way of services to the customer.

Along with the basic exchange of currency from one country to that of another country, a currency exchange also can assist with the process of wiring funds from one country to another. As part of the process, the currency exchange conducts the conversion from one currency to another, if necessary. Because a currency exchange normally has a strong working relationship with international banking, the current rate of exchange is always used. Also, the relationship with international banking ensures that a currency exchange can conduct the wire transfer to just about anywhere in the world.

A currency exchange is also helpful in obtaining and cashing traveler’s checks. Many vacationers prefer to use traveler’s checks as a way of taking along money, since they can be replaced with relative ease if stolen. The currency exchange is able to issue the checks on behalf of a number of different financial institutions, as well as honor the traveler’s checks when presented for payment.

Transfer of documents and the buying and selling of rare coins can also be conducted through a currency exchange. The documents may range from such mundane matters as car titles and license plate renewal forms to items such as detailed contracts. The coins may be bought and sold, with the funds being transferred through the electronic funds transfer network that is used by the currency exchange. As with all services, there is a fee to pay. However, a solid currency exchange, such as the international Casa de Cambio network of exchangers, is able to conduct transactions in a time frame that is much shorter than other means. While the fees may vary from country to country, completing a transaction is a short period of time may be highly desirable, and thus worth the fee charged by the currency exchange. 

LOGISTICS

Logistics, in its most basic definition, is the efficient flow and storage of goods from their point of origin to the point of consumption. It is the part of the supply chain process that plans, implements and controls the flow of goods. It can also be seen as the management of inventory, in rest or in motion. The word logistics was first used in the military service to describe the process of supplying a war zone with troops, supplies and equipment. The term is now used more commonly in the field of business.

A recent US study found that logistics costs account for almost 10% of the gross domestic product. The process itself covers a diverse number of functional areas. Involved in logistics are transportation and traffic, as well as shipping and receiving. It also covers storage and import/export operations.

The concept of logistics can be applied to specific areas of business. Acquisition logistics, for example, covers everything involved in acquiring logistics support equipment and personnel for a new weapons system for the military. This includes identifying, designing, defining, developing, producing, delivering and installing the new weapons system.

Another area is Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). This is a management function that provides funding, planning and controls to assure that the system meets the expected requirements. ILS is also expected to make sure the price of the goods is reasonable and the product is of the required quality.

Many businesses that deal with supply of goods or services have their own logistics department. For example, a company supplying photocopying paper around the world will have a logistics team. The manager will oversee or delegate to his staff the process from the point of origin. The team will deal with the acquisition of paper from the paper supplier all the way to the customer who requests the paper. The supplier and buyer may be located in different countries.

It is the logistics team who must make sure that products can be obtained at a reasonable price. They then have to make sure the product is shipped on time and will arrive when expected. The logistics team also has to deal with importing and exporting contracts, and possibly also with the customs department. The process at times can be a lengthy one, but once in place should run smoothly

COMMODITY TRADING

Commodity trading is an investing strategy that involves the buying and selling of goods that are classified as commodities. There are many similarities between commodity trading and the trading activity involved with stocks. One key difference has to do with the difference between what is traded.

A commodity is normally defined as something that is considered to be of value, has a quality that is more or less consistent, and is produced in large amounts by a number of different producers. When people choose to invest in commodities, they normally think in terms of items that are resources that may be purchased for a wide range of uses. For example, corn is considered a commodity and is traded on the basis of the wide range of goods that can be produced using corn as a base ingredient.

In order to trade commodities, it is necessary to participate in transactions conducted on a commodity exchange. Functioning in a manner very similar to a stock exchange, there are exchanges that deal directly with commodities all over the world. However, it is not necessary to limit the commodity trading to one particular exchange. Investors are free to buy and sell on several exchanges if they so desire and are recognized by the exchange.

The process of commodity trading is directly affected by the current relationship between supply and demand for a given commodity. Any factor that limits the supply may cause the value of the remaining quantities of the commodity to gain in value very quickly. For example, if a natural disaster wiped out a significant portion of wheat the worth of remaining wheat resources would be in greater demand. As a result, the price for the commodity would rise and any investor with investments in the wheat market would stand a good chance of earning a substantial return.

At the same time, a glut of a commodity that exceeds the current level of demand may drive the unit price down. This could result in a loss to the investor, assuming the price falls below what was originally paid for the investment. Often, the commodities investor will have to decide whether to absorb the loss or prevent additional losses by selling at the current lower unit price. If there appears to be no hope for the commodity to recover within a reasonable amount of time, the investor is likely to sell. However, if there are indicators that the commodity will recover and demand will rise within a short period of time, there is a good chance that the investment will remain in place in hopes of recouping all losses at a later date.

As with stock trading, commodity trading involves some degree of risk. Investors do monitor the relationship between supply and demand and how that factor impacts the information currently available through a commodities price index. While commodities are usually considered more consistent and stable than some other forms of investing, there is always the chance that natural disasters, changes in consumer tastes, or political issues may negatively impact the worth of any commodity.

AUCTION

An auction is an event in which goods or properties are sold to the highest bidder. By being open to the public, an auction ensures a wide range of bids, and sometimes items at auction can fetch surprisingly high prices. The bidders, in turn, create their own market, determining on an individual basis how much they want to pay for an item, rather than having prices dictated by the seller. There are a number of types of auctions performed around the world.

In a basic so-called English auction, an item is introduced to the crowd and members of the public bid on it, slowly raising the price until everyone bows out, leaving a winner of the auction who pays the price he or she bid. The auction is managed by an auctioneer, someone who keeps an eye on the bidding and determines the ultimate winner. In some cases, the seller may set a minimum bid, ensuring that the item will not sell below a certain price. Famous auction houses like Sotheby's specialize in this type of auction.

In another type of auction, the auctioneer starts at a set price and then lowers it. Members of the crowd bid then they hear prices that they like. Dutch auctions may also be used to sell multiple units of the same item to a big crowd; for example, someone selling off lots of hay might allow all members of the crowd to pay the same price, once a fair bid has been reached.

In some cases, people at an auction may submit sealed bids which are opened simultaneously. The winner of the auction is the person with the highest bid. In another variation on the basic auction, the silent auction, people wander around a room looking at items, and they write their bids on accompanying sheets of paper. Participants can see other people's bids, and they may choose to try to counter another person's bid if they particularly want the item in question. At the end of a set period, the person with the highest bid is named the winner.

At most auctions, people can bid remotely by giving the auctioneer a letter indicating their intent to bid and the maximum amount which they are willing to bid. Some auction houses specifically cater to this, keeping a number of people on staff that stays on the phone with customers during auctions, bidding as proxies for their clients. In other cases, an auction may be carried out entirely remotely, as is the case with online auctions.

Generally, a bid is considered legally binding. By bidding, a participant agrees to pay the amount which he or she bids. In high-profile auctions, bidders may be asked to deposit money in escrow accounts, or to provide other proofs that they are capable of paying for the items they bid on.

AUTO FINANCE

Few people are in a position to purchase a new vehicle outright. This means that most need to utilize some type of financing arrangement in order to acquire the vehicle and pay for it over time. The process of financing a car can sometimes be tricky, depending on the condition of the buyer’s credit and the type of auto finance arrangement that is pursued. If you are considering the purchase of a new or used auto, here are a few things to keep in mind.

As with any type of loan arrangement, the only way to command the lowest interest rates is to have excellent credit. In order to be in a position to shop for a car loan with the lowest rate of interest possible, it is important to make sure that your credit report is accurate and reflects the best possible FICO score. For this reason, you should obtain copies of your credit report from all applicable credit reporting agencies and review each and every item listed on the reports. Keep in mind that reviewing one credit report will not necessarily be sufficient. All too often, items found on one report do not show up on a different report. Since you have no way of knowing which credit reporting agency a potential lender  will consult, it is in your best interests to make sure that all your credit reports are current and accurate.

If your credit is less than perfect, you may be tempted by some of the car finance options offered by individual lots. These often publicize themselves as being underwritten by the owner of the car lot and allow you to make a small down payment and a series of weekly or monthly payments. While this can look very attractive on the front end, keep in mind that chances are that your convenient automobile loan will probably end up costing you a great deal more than the sticker price of the automobile. You may also find the terms of the loan do not provide you with a lot of protection in the event you are late with a payment. While many of these “buy here pay here” deals are workable and do not contain obscure clauses in the terms and conditions, it is important to read the contract thoroughly before entering into this type of auto finance arrangement.

It is also important to understand laws governing the purchase of a new car or even a used car in your locality. Some jurisdictions allow buyers to return vehicles within a given time frame for any reason at all and receive a full refund of the down payment. Other jurisdictions place restrictions on both the time limit and the conditions that make it possible to return a vehicle. Since many used cars are sold “as is” and with no guarantees or warranties, it is essential to understand your legal rights before you go car shopping and commit to any auto finance terms and conditions.

Purchasing a new car is a major purchase for most people. Because of the importance associated with making a major purchase, consumers should seek the most beneficial auto finance terms possible. Make sure you understand what those terms and conditions are, how much you will ultimately pay for the vehicle, and what type of consumer protection you have due to the laws of the land. When these three steps are taken, along with making sure your credit is in order before you go shopping, there is an excellent chance that you will find an auto finance program that will be ideal for your situation.