Future of Online Marketing

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What should we expect with the future of marketing online? As the number of online users grows, and as the speed in which people connect increases, the online marketer will have many more tools available!

• Technological Improvements

People who are online are starting to connect using faster "broadband" connections. This allows for easy video and audio access. Currently, the majority of online users are not connected at a rate fast enough for convenient downloads of a large nature. But when the number of high-speed users grows, and it will, the Internet will take on the look of an interactive cable-type television with millions of channels.
• Number of Online Users

In 2001, the number of households with Internet access in the U.S. surpassed 51% and that number is still rising.
• Web Address Replaces Phone # as Preferred Method of Contact

As technology grows and as the number of users increases, you will see the Web address begin to replace the phone number as the contact method of choice. When someone can go to a site and see an entire portfolio of products or services, the site will be where people go first for most information. You are already seeing that now in radio and TV commercials that simply give people a site address and no number in which to find more information.
• What's Next?

Since no one knows for certain what the future will hold, my advice is to think in terms of an interaction between video, audio and your customers. For instance "live" customer service where a consumer can watch you in your studio and actually order from the shelf; or perhaps place an order for a "work in progress"; of course you will have to cater to your particular situation and needs. My point is that things like this will soon be not only possible, but also practical.