Facebook comprises 78% of traffic among social networking websites, while micro blogging website, Twitter, is accountable for the 5%. However, Twitter’s “tweets” are favored with 19 clicks, as Facebook’s embedded links get three clicks only.

A marketing firm offering social media marketing campaigns had assessed over one million shared links using the Tell-a-Friend widget, which allows people to share any information on sites. SocialTwist determined success rate based on clickthrough rate; meaning, the total number of clicks a particular link gets to take the user to a particular destination. As the survey was conducted, more and more surprising outcome were uncovered. One of which is the fact that MySpace still acquire a 15% market share.

Any social media user must be aware of each site’s pros and cons. Both are highly favorable yet as a user, you should keep in mind your intent and objective for needing such medium. It helps to be aware the specifics of what the sites can and cannot provide to better attain the desired outcome. So here are the pros and cons of both Twitter and Facebook.

Twitter (Pros):

Bloomberg has reported that presently, Twitter has about 165 million users. And with the site’s improved layout, expect the number to rise. The new layout introduced a split-screen/view pane idea to allow users to share photos and videos conveniently. Clearly, Twitter is for the social media savvy. It can be used directly from its website or through a third-party application which offers features such as scheduled tweets, searches, retweets, paneled views or other similar Twitter metrics and identities.

Twitter (Cons):

On the other hand, the downside to Twitter is its similarity to a cocktail party wherein people momentarily gather around to have conversation, or to listen, or to partake any interesting find, and then wander off again not long after. There are also security issues with Twitter, albeit it has been minimized with the revamp. Sometimes, when users opened some unknown URL’s, malware may spread rapidly. This is a tactic planted to spread viruses or to download account data. Lastly, Twitter’s dependability is questionable specifically in reference to its Fail Whale application. Twitter’s Fail Whale icon is popular. Such icon appears to explain or to inform user that Twitter is over capacity or simply down. Although its dependability is now better compared to how it was before, still the site continues to experience hiccups and service outages.

Now let’s tackle Facebook’s cons and pros.

Pros:

Unlike Twitter, Facebook has become rapidly popular with about 600 million users to date. This is not altogether a surprise if you already know that people can do more than just add or search friends in Facebook. You can do more like play games or take quizzes. Certainly, there are lots to do with Facebook in which one can easily waste his or her time on.

Another of Facebook’s advantage is its being dependable. Yes, it experienced outage for 2 and a half hours sometime late last year but it’s really nothing compared to the frequent appearance of Fail Whale by Twitter. And more than anything, Facebook ha a variety of tools which users can access on. These tools include videos, news, quizzes, photos, and links; while Twitter just began offering photos and videos on its site.

Cons:

Admittedly, Facebook’s advantages are also its disadvantages. Like Twitter, it has numerous people from children to moms to grandparents, baby boomers and millennials even. For this reason, business entities may find it arduous to find the right target or market. Still, businesses can be noticed in Facebook but only after a broad campaign and connection through several users, different with Twitter in which it is undoubtedly a more focused medium.

Facebook is said to be more similar to a dormitory rather than a cocktail party. This is so since with twitter, people there are more likely to be interested in the “talk of the hour.” Granting this is true, Facebook may be likened to a college dormitory hallway or a cruise ship lobby where users see each other but don’t become friends instantly until days or weeks after, months even. Thus, Facebook may be a medium to bare one’s sentiments but not the place to make a hard sell, unless of course, your exemplary social media effort takes place.

Now, which one is best to use: Twitter or Facebook? Actually, it does not come as a surprise to find out that people opted for Twitter for their marketing choice since such has more return of investment to offer, other than its more savvy population, fast approach to conversation, less time more exposure approach, and few distractions from countless streams of flowing information.

Indeed, Twitter and Facebook are two different social websites. Therefore, businesses and anyone should be aware that they’ll have to adapt with each site and formulate campaigns fitting to each service’s strengths..

Here are 3 tips to guide you in overcoming obstacles to an online business:

Tip No.1: Create a marketable product.

It is one thing to have a great product to sell; it is another thing to have a market for it. If nobody wants your product, no matter how amazing your product is—you will not achieve the sales figures you desire. In a matter of time, you will see that your sales expectations have not been realized. Sometimes, it is not about the quality of your product but whether there is demand for it.

When planning for your online business, and when planning for a product or service to sell over the Internet—you should first do research and surveys to find out what the market wants. This is a sure way of being able to create products and services that will sell like crazy in the Internet.

Tip No. 2: Establish a system that will automate the operations of your business.

Anyone who has studied excellent business models will agree that having a system to take care of operational activities will be the best way to go. This set-up will allow hassle free operations since you have automated the ordering process, payment steps and delivery system. With this, you will have more free time to concentrate on what matters most to your business such as your marketing efforts.

Tip No. 3: Drive traffic to your site.

Let us face it, without traffic, nobody will be able to see the products or services that you offer. It is like having a store, wherein nobody knows of its existence. Driving traffic to your site will allow you a chance to convert prospects into customers. The more quality traffic your website gets, the better it will be for your end to get more sales.

Overcoming obstacles to an online business is no joke. You need to strategize well. Start with creating a marketable product, then establish an operational system, and proceed to driving visitors to your site. These 3 tips will prove to be valuable to the success of your online business. Follow these, and increase your chances of online success.

With the extensive coverage of the Internet, networking online proves to be an outstanding means that entrepreneurs must take into account to uplift their business ventures.  There are few very good reasons why you should target and connect on the top business networking sites available.  For one, online networking diversifies and increases your network.  No question, it aids in making you highly accessible to anyone and everyone.  Without the need for any validation, networking online breaks any geographical and time boundaries, and it is not only effective but also a cost-friendly marketing tool.

However, when you take part in any network marketing scheme, it will do great for you if you know your market very well.  Therefore, you should know who your customers are or your target audience and clientele.  Like for instance, your products are suitable for the young group or the teenagers, so take the time to find out and locate where teenagers usually hang out.  This way, you will be guided where to go.  You are not necessarily asked to talk to each one of them.  Instead, observe and pay attention to them and see how they behave.  Also, try to be in their shoes to get a better idea on what they need and want.

Moreover, online interaction with your target market is another beneficial way to know more about them.  You may post some form of questionnaire for your readers to answer.  It may composed of questions about their likes or dislikes, or the things that interest them, or factors which they consider as their preferences in buying products such as yours.

So again, in online and network marketing, keep in mind that you are in search of individuals whom you can sell your products to.  Thus, it is essential that you know who and where to look for these people.  But it’s not enough to be able to classify them, but you have to reach out to them as well.  Make use of trustworthy networking sites on the web to accomplish you goal.  Connecting on such sites will prove to be a brilliant move for you as it paves the way to greater success for your business.

To help you establish a social account for your business, you may take the honest shortcut. By this, you will need backlink companies and freelance writers. Both can create a fitting business account for you and regularly update it. Updates may be through articles, rss feeds, press releases, microblogs and blogs depending on what social network is used.

Several rules are to be observed when setting up a business account on a social network. If you are using a variety of social sites, each of the accounts must use only one name, or that each should be the same. Doing so helps putting a name of yourself or your business. In other words, it brands your business all through social channels. And do not forget to apply easy-to-remember account name. Also the kind that is easy to spell. Apparently, a less complicated name is easier to remember.

Moreover, smaller networks which center on similar niche as yours may also serve as excellent niche. Although most of these popular networks aren’t niche-related, there are indeed smaller social networks which offer traffic from individuals who are in search of a particular piece of information. Just browse through the web and you will find appropriate niche of social networks.

Social networks provide potential hits. A personal account is not a very good idea to promote your business. If you want a sure way to do it, go for social networks. You can take your pick from the plethora of choices. The most commonly heard these days are Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, to mention a few.

You too can take advantage of it.  Both wannabes and established online marketer can reap the boons of several effective online marketing techniques to remain steadfast and to surpass the fierce competition going on.  You must definitely have some efficacious methods to keep your business active.

First and foremost, do not be afraid to fail.  Take the risk and be prepared for the consequences.  It is from your mistakes that you reap valuable lessons.  It is through downfalls and hard times that one is polished to become the best that he or she can be.  The same applies with Internet marketing.  If you want to excel on the field, be ready to fail, to commit mistakes and be polished.  Of course, this is not to say that you purposely do so.  Rather, do your best and if things go wrong, remind yourself that it is alright.  Learn, start again and pick up the pieces.  Eventually, you will see the reward in the end.

Another efficient marketing tool is to have a brand.  With online marketing, you’re your own online brand.  Be yourself.  Be original.  Do not hesitate and be ashamed to show the world what you can offer.  Bring your product out.  Be proud of it and it will help establish trust and rapport with your potential readers and buyers.

Take note that as a marketer, you are selling products.  So how do you get people to trust you?  Be who you are, express yourself openly through your sites, articles and online journals.  As people get the feeling that they know you, trust will soon follow.  And as a result, naturally they will trust your products.

Moreover, apart from mentioned, Google Adwords is another technique used by lots of online business owners to promote their products to customers.  No question, Google is widely used over the net.  Advertising your products or services through Google Adwords will surely provide you with remarkable traffic to your site.  In online marketing, traffic to websites is analogous to probable customers or clients.  Hence, more traffic means greater chances of having more sales.

To advertise your business online, ensure you have the most apt keywords.  Bear in mind that there are millions of Internet users, each with different preferences.  To make sure you get the right individuals to visit your site and avail of your product, it is only proper that you choose your phrases or keywords well, ensuring that they represent the business or the product.  Create an error-free ad with a touch of creativity to come up with a truly inviting online advertisement for your product or business.

One thing also, do not be too specific.  Broad keywords tend to generate more traffic from search engines.  However, such can be expensive and touch competition may be expected.  But then again, it is favorable.

And since technology, the Internet to be precise, is continuously changing, it is vital that you take the time to check your campaign ad.  Test your keywords and see how they work, or which website is giving you admirable results.  Constantly monitor your ad and be open as well if particular changes are necessary.