Before you first start your company or website, you have to start preparing for your business. You need to get a marketing plan in place, and no plan is complete without a comprehensive internet marketing plan. Here are the basics you need to know when you sit down and have to put such a plan together.

1. Find out what your unique selling point is. If you don’t know what is special about you or your product, no one else will either. You have got to be crystal clear on what differentiates you from the other choices out there.

2. Determine who your competition is. This can be difficult if you have not completed the first step. Find out who is comparable to you and take an honest look at yourself. There will be things that you do that a competitor doesn’t, but they may offer services you cannot at this time. Be very clear about how you match up, because your internet marketing plans will depend on what you learn.

3. Decide who your target market is. This is one of the most important things you will do in your business. Focusing on a target market will help you save your efforts and money. By knowing your audience, you will know which sites to advertise on, which sites your market visits, and you will be able to build loyalty by talking to them in language they understand.

4. Choose a few internet marketing options. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the options available to you, so pick a few that you are comfortable with. If you are always on Facebook, for example, you will find it easy to set up a page for your business. If you prefer to interact with others, you might want to start a blog. If you want to be seen as an expert, you will have to write articles. Don’t do too many things at once, as you don’t want to burn yourself out.

5. Track your performance. Make sure your site has web analytics of some kind so you can track how many people are visiting your site, how long they are staying, and what they are looking at while they are there. Ultimately, that will allow you to give them more of what they are wanting.

6. Stay positive. Internet marketing does not guarantee overnight success, so if you are expecting it, you will be heartbroken. Internet marketing success comes little by little. Try to see that as a good thing, since you can learn as you go and make mistakes along the way without anything going too badly.

7. Be different. Remember, the thing about the Internet is that there is a lot of everything. However, no one can bring the unique skillset to the table that you have. Keep in mind that you have something special to offer and offer it.

Internet marketers have a lot of exciting and interesting things they can do to increase their site visitors and ultimately their customers. Use this article to get you started.