Meridian Internet Marketing for SEO, PPC and Internet Marketing

The Buying Cycle and Internet Marketing

Understanding the dynamics of how people buy and how they can be influenced while online can help you market your products / service more effectively.

Marketers describe a buying cycle that most people go through when they buy something. The process can stretch over months or take place in a moment. Regardless of the time span, there are usually at least 3 steps. For example, perhaps you decide you should buy a ceiling fan:

1. Awareness of the need (my house is hot and has poor ventilation).
2. Consideration (researching online or visiting a showroom)
3. Purchase (buying ceiling fans)

If you’re offering products or services you can influence the purchase before the cycle starts and up until the moment of purchase. For example, even before you realize you have a ventilation issue you may see a TV commercial or banner-display ad online promoting a certain model or store. Even though you’re not in the market yet, the ad can make an impression on you and the model name or the store gets stored in your memory for future consideration.