However, as the web grew in popularity, so did the understanding and guidelines of internet marketing itself.

With the size of the internet growing, millions of web pages, blogs, websites, pictures, graphics, audio sources, music, games, and videos are continuously developing the new virtual landscape of the internet, and at the same time, generating a crazy and fast frenzy of information search.

Added to this frenzied search of information is the opportunity to buy and sell products and services. Products include everything from real estate to cars, consumable items to furniture, and banking online to digital books. From large corporate entities to a small home-based business, internet marketing has evolved into a mixture of information, services and products.

Of course, while trying to understand internet marketing, you must first realize the scope of what is involved. First of all, since the very nature of it is encompassed via the internet, business transactions and market reach can obviously include global interests.

Meanwhile, many organizations can still focus on conducting local or regional business, but the potential for other online activities and ventures can be unlimited.

However, just like traditional brick and mortar shops compete for buyer traffic, so does the online business world.

Remember, there are tens of millions of websites, blogs and pages competing for viewing, purchasing and selling traffic.

The big question is how to get visitors to individual sites and keep them there long enough to make a decision. In reality, that is where internet marketing and affiliate marketing comes into play.

What types of online marketing are available?

• Social media
• Affiliate marketing
• Email marketing

Social media

The internet has provided one of the best forms of communication today through social media. Many people from countries around the world communicate and stay connected with family and friends through the use of social media. At the same time, organizations have utilized social media outlets as a reference of promotion and advertising for the products and services.

Web based marketing

Simply put, web marketing involves all forms of marketing that is conducted on the internet, with almost every effort used to attract visitors to a particular web page or site. Much of the difference between offline and online marketing is basically tied to technology.

Email marketing

This form of marketing should not be overly complicated. Email has survived as one of the most effective and efficient forms of communication today. Email marketing often involves the sending and receiving of commercial offers, advertising, or other forms of messages. Email also plays an important role in helping individuals and businesses to build brand awareness.

The bottom line is, online marketing such as the available strategies of internet marketing and affiliate marketing can be a rewarding business model for almost anyone. While it does provide certain benefits as compared to traditional brick and mortar opportunities, the important thing to remember is that both affiliate marketing and internet marketing are simply based on the concept of marketing online.