Will Advertising Fail on the Internet?

Why Advertising Will Fail on the Internet
Eric Clemons

I think Clemons makes some good points in his article. I believe in his points that “consumers do not trust advertising. . . consumers do not want advertising. . .and. . .consumers do not need advertising.”

However, I think the solutions he offers aren’t necessarily much better than the occasional pop-up or sidebar ad that internet users have to deal with.

The first solution he offers is for websites to charge for content. While in some cases the use of “micropayments for purchases, like iTunes,” can serve as a business model, I don’t think the idea of charging for content would work in most cases. For example, I have a feeling that most consumers would rather deal with a sidebar ad next to an online article for a newspaper, than have to pay for ad-free content.

His second solution of charging for participation in an online community, while also revolutionary, also runs into fatal flaws. Again, I feel like most users would prefer free access to a social network, allowing them to easily connect with friends and business contacts, rather than have to pay for a service which has traditionally been free. Perhaps in the case of gaming, where a developer could charge for more server space than a social networking page, in may be viable. Just listen to the outcry for a possible Twitter charge in this video.

His third solution of selling accessories is one that I think more consumers would buy in to. This kind of goes along the lines of the “freemium” service idea. While Clemons seems to be making the argument that sites should be more focused on fully charging for content or access rather than earning money through advertising, I believe a better business plan is to offer a basic service for free, and charge for special add-ons that aren’t necessary for the primary function of the service. I can imagine a massive decline in the Facebook population if they began charging for outright membership. However, if they were to just charge for, say, the ability to use applications, the outcry wouldn’t be so severe.

Blogs Will Change Your Business - Blog 5

“If there's no clear business model, why are the Internet giants so bent on getting a foothold in blogs?”

This is a question that was brought up in the “Blogs Will Change Your Business” article. It may be a case of trying to reach an audience that isn’t very tech savvy, but I don’t see how a modern business couldn’t see the value of a blog. In an age where millions of people spend multiple hours on the internet a day and get a majority of their information from online sources, I don’t see how a business could ignore the presence their blog could have in the online world.

And given that blog accounts can be created for free, and can be managed with a relatively small commitment of resources, it actually seems like the ideal way to reach customers in a digital age.This YouTube video outlines three major benefits that a blog can offer a business: they can bring in more web traffic, allow you to tailor your company's message and allow interaction with potential customers.

I think the most important of these three ideas outlined in the video is the third: allowing interaction with potential customers. A company blog not only creates interaction with potential customers that they may not have reached through any other medium, but they can create a more personal relationship with potential and dedicated customers alike.

A company blog that keeps customers up-to-date on the latest happenings within the business or offers testimonials from company officials can create a virtual relationship with the customer base. This kind of interaction with the customer base, which can be updated instantly, creates a trust factor and lets them feel as though they are part of the company, with a sort of inside access to its inner workings.