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The Internet is a world-wide network of about 40,000 large computers.
It is totally decentralized. Internet users gain access to and utilize the
Internet in a number of ways, using both established methods of data transfer,
such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and evolving cyber-realms, such as
the World Wide Web (WWW). Through the WWW users can see the Internet in full
color graphics, in 3-D, in animations, or with music playing in the background.
Before the World Wide Web (WWW) the Internet was text based, full of file
names, text menus and directories. One of the most fundamental and widely
used of all the Internet's features is email. Using email, an individual
can send a message directly to another individual on the network. Almost
any type file can now be attached to an email. This can be a simple note,
a lengthy document, a sales report, sound, pictures or diagrams. Another
component of the Internet is the USENET.
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How do people find my business on the Internet? Dozens of indexing systems
are available on the Web called "search engines" and "directories". Many
web search engines automatically discover web sites which are on the Internet.
On the remaining search engines and all directories, each site on the Internet
must be manually registered and categorized. Then, when someone searches
for key words such as "electronics," "air conditioning," or "thermostat",
they find Acme Climate Control listed with similar firms. They "click" on
the company's name and immediately begin to view the Web pages.
Getting your web site near the top of the search engines list is not as easy
as giving it a title which begins with the letter A. Search engines use a
variety of criteria for its sorts. There are a number of techniques which
will help you to achieve a favorable listing with the search engines. Research
the subject thoroughly or hire an experienced Internet marketeer to promote
your web site. If not done correctly, your web site will stay obscure.
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ISP's are companies who provide any number of Internet related service such
as: Internet access, web site hosting, web site design, Internet marketing.
ISP's are most commonly associated with providing Internet access services.
This is a hardware centristic type business where the keys to success are
fast web servers and lots of quality dial modems so customers get maximum
speed with minimal busy signals. Many ISP's also provide web site hosting
service. This is also a hardware centristic business since the key to success
is having fast servers with big disk drives and high speed connectivity to
the Internet backbone. Web design and Internet marketing are as much an art
as a science.
A skilled Web Design and Internet Marketing company must understand the
intricacies of the Internet as well as the nuances of business marketing
and sales. Few ISP's have the skilled resources to be good at access, hosting,
and creative content. Therefore a growing number of alliances are being formed
joining ISP's with Web Designers and Internet Marketeers. This allows everyone
to specialize in their business thereby giving the customer the highest level
of service.
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How many are online? Approximately 35 million people used the Internet
in the past three months. This number is likely to double over the next 12-18
months.
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Age: (18-25) 42%, (26-35) 17%, (36-45) 9%, (46-55) 5%, unknown age
23%
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Education: 64 % of Web users have a college degree, while only 28
% of the general population has completed a four-year program.
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Gender: 62% Male, 38% Female
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Income: Web users were found to be more upscale than the typical
population of the U.S. and Canada. For instance, 25% of Web users have an
income of more than $80,000 per year compared to 10% of the general population.
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The fastest growing demographic group on the Internet: Women--also
young, affluent, and well educated.
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The net continues to double in size approximately every 12-15 months. Sales
generated by the World Wide Web are expected to grow from $436 million in
1995 to nearly $50 billion by 1999. Over 550 million people are anticipated
to be connected to the Internet by the year 2000. Users of the Web engage
in a broad range of on-line activities, with nearly 90 percent browsing or
exploring the Web. Some 55 percent search the WWW for information on products
or services, while 60 percent have searched for information about companies
or organizations. A CommerceNet/Nielsen study found that more than 13 percent
-- or about 2.5 million people in the U.S. -- have purchased products or
services over the WWW. This indicates that an Internet marketplace truly
exists.
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1. Newspaper Ads. This is probably the most common advertising venue for
most businesses. Recently we contacted the popular newspaper in our area
to get some costs and found some interesting rates. To run a small, 3 line
classified ad, the cost was nearly $75.00 for one week. I could run it once
on a Sunday for about $20.00. If I wanted to run a 4 inch by 4 inch display
ad, the rate was in excess of $700 per week (I think I'll let you do the
math for that annual cost).
2. Yellow Page Ads. Pricing for Yellow Page advertising is an important
consideration. Most people rely on the Yellow Pages when they are looking
for a service or company doing specific types of business for the first time.
In fact, I've heard it said, "if you don't have a Yellow Page listing, people
don't think you're a real business". But what do you get for exposure with
this type of ad? Your local area phone book may actually display a small
business phone number and address listing for free. In order to expand that
exposure, you will need to spend good money and maybe advertise in multiple
books.
3. Radio and Television Ads. Most small businesses have to shy away from
radio and television advertising because of the expense involved. To be effective
in this media, you must advertise frequently so regardless of the rate, the
cost will be high. I recently checked with a popular local radio station
who targets adults over the age of 25. The standard contract for 19 thirty
second ads would cost $840 per week with a minimum commitment of eight weeks.
Perhaps there are less expensive radio and television deals to be had but
don't expect the ad to play during prime time or before a large audience.
4. Internet Ads. The plain truth about Internet advertising is this. The
consensus of opinion in the electronic business world is that the Internet
is the next wave of the future for information distribution to the world.
With computer technology rapidly expanding into the home and business markets,
it may soon be heard " if you don't have an Internet Home Page listing, people
don't think you're a real business".
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The public has greater access to government's
documents and policies, politician's voting records, pending laws and court
rulings. In Bosnia and China, people use the Internet to circumvent their
government's tight control over media. It is difficult for any single entity
to control Internet communication since web sites are distributed all over
the world.
The Internet helps to preserve cultures and rights because
it can serve as an information resource to those who wish to preserve their
culture and because it is able to transcend geographic barriers.
The Internet complements and augments Education through
powerful interactive teaching tools, distance learning, online courses, virtual
libraries and access to current world events. There is no discrimination
on the Internet because everyone has the same access to vast resources of
information.
Because the Internet connects bright minds across the world,
researchers and scientist can easily pool their efforts
to achieve faster results at far less cost than in the past.
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The Internet has its dark side. There is computer crime, indecent materials,
anti-social activities, subversive propaganda, dangerous information, and
intrusion of privacy. Since the Internet is comprised of computer networks
which are distributed all over the planet, there is no government or agency
which has jurisdiction over the Internet. Any country can set laws which
govern acceptable Internet use for citizens within their sovereignty, but
these laws are unenforceable beyond that country's sovereign borders. As
long as the world is governed by separate laws, we must tolerate the bad
in light of the overwhelming good that the Internet brings. Meanwhile, there
are a number of precautions which if taken, would reduce the risk of computer
crime to us. Likewise there are measures that if taken would reduce the
likelihood of our children being exposed to indecent material.
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A world-wide system of discussion groups, with comments passed among hundreds
of thousands of machines. Not all USENET machines are on the Internet,
maybe half. The USENET is completely decentralized, with over 10,000 discussion
areas, called newsgroups. Pick a subject--any subject--, and there
is most likely a newsgroup on that subject. Most of the information in the
newsgroups come directly from the public, so its unscreened. Parents should
not let their kids wander around the newsgroups without supervision because
this is where most of the undesirable content resides.
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