There are several methods of online marketing and no particular method can be said to be the best. It is advisable to create a strategy that incorporates several of the following methods for optimal reach and effect. These are the most popular ways to market your business online.

Have a Website: This is perhaps, one of the cardinal rules of online marketing. It is important to have a web presence where clients and prospective customers can easily find you. The website should contain relevant information such as the services or products that are offered and the pricing plans. It should also contain a way in which you can be contacted including an email address and a working telephone number. Directions should also be included if you have a physical brick and mortar location.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): While it is important to have a website, it would be of no use if prospective customers cannot find the website. This is why it is extremely necessary to have your website optimized for search engines. This is what is popularly known as Search Engine Optimization (SEO). If you do not know how to go about this, hiring an SEO professional would help.

Have a Blog: A blog is a way to give a human face to your business. It can be used to share important information pertaining to your business and can also be used to share helpful tips with your visitors. A lot of businesses use a blog as a means of dealing with customer relations problems and the feedback feature of a blog makes this particularly useful. Another advantage of using a blog for your online marketing is that it is also a way to improve your SEO.

Use Social Networking Sites: Social networking sites are a way to network with prospective customers and other businesses in your niche. This is an important form of online marketing because it builds trust, and when people trust you, they are more likely to follow your recommendation.

Create Community: An important aspect of having a blog and making use of social networking sites is to create community. Community builds trust and gives integrity to a business. Visiting blogs in related niches to leave helpful comments is a way to market your business and increase your SEO.
Incorporate Video: Videos create a connection between the viewers and the business and are essential for effective online marketing. Big brands like HP have perfected the efficient use of video to drive their online selling presence.

Email Marketing: If a person is interested enough to subscribe to your email list, then you have someone who would most likely become a repeat customer. Growing your list is an important form of online marketing as product launches can easily be sent to your subscribers.

Paid Advertising: Google and Facebook offer paid advertising programs for businesses. There are other platforms that offer the same. It is important to have a good idea of where your niche market is before you incorporate this into your strategy.