Future Internet Marketing and Advertising Trends

But how much money is spent online? In 2005, Comscore Network measured that online spending reached over 143 billion, up 22% from 2004. Of that, 82.3 billion was spent on retail, while 60.9 billion was spent on travel. Worldwide, the Computer Industry Almanac estimates the total population of Internet users exceeds 1.8 billion. A quick calculation reveals that this equates to approximately $79 that is spent online per active Internet user. It is also estimated that the average American spends double this number.

Looking into the Crystal Ball

So what does the future look like for the Internet marketing and Advertising industry? Well, I think I speak for the majority when I say that it tis bright! As more consumers become active internet users, there is no doubt that the marketers and advertisers will follow. Additionally, as consumers and businesses become more web savvy, so will their purchasing behavior. Not to mention that this is what gave way to the many new vertical niche search engines like Travelocity, Shopping.com, and eBay.

Search advertising is hard to ignore. With continual growth, a report by Double Click finds that year by year, clicks continue to increase on search campaigns by 107 percent. Keyword bids are also on the rise. It was estimated in February 2005 by iProspect that industrywide click costs increased by 43.7%. Plus, the industry shows no signs of slowing down. Search engine giants such as Yahoo! and Google continue to increase their product depth by releasing more advertising solutions than ever before. Small businesses that once thought the game was only played by the big corporations are now starting to realize the Web's regionalized and precise demographic reach.

But it doesn't stop there. Multimedia is now the new buzz word on the scene. Portable audio devices, cell phones, and hand held PC's have given birth to a whole new arena filled with Podcasting (Define), Vodcasting (Define), Mobile Browsers, personal navigation, and other multimedia rich media vehicles. Podcasting, one of the web's newest audio offerings is gaining momentum at light speed. Bridge Ratings projects that by 2010, the listening podcast audience will be 62.8 million. Some even believe that this is the next killer application right after e-mail.

We want it now and faster than ever before. New technologies continue to emerge on the internet, while online usage continues to soar. As we rapidly approach the next decade, it will be interesting (to say the least) to see if predictions above become self fulfilling prophecies. However, I think its safe to say that the Internet is becoming a more influential part of our lives which will only lead to more advertisers to follow. As television had revolutionized the 1900's. I predict the internet will be the dominant marketing portal of the 21st century.

[tags] internet marketing, internet advertising [/tags]