Dont call yourself an internet marketer if you develop websites

If all you do is build them for clients then I would say that is true. But there are a lot of actual Internet marketers that build websites with the intent flip them which does require marketing. I would say it more depends on what your intent is with the site. But, if all you do is contract work for people to build websites for them then I definitely agree

I am a web developer and have been for over 6 years now. I am trying to get in to the IM business.

Please don't call me a web designer, nor internet marketer. Millionaire is fine.

If we build sites for clients and provide basic SEO (like any web designer should) - I'd say that is Internet marketing.

Even those brochure sites can be considered part of a businesses advertising campaign.

Why do most offline businesses have websites? To promote themselves.

I also started out in the 90's as a web designer / SEO and in my experience businesses have always chosen to use their website as another way to advertise.

What you and I consider "Internet marketing", is different than what most businesses consider it to be - that's why they call in the professionals; to make sure it gets done right.

Most businesses see IM as; a website, getting found on Google, and some of the more savvy ones think about social media.

To us, this is the tip of the iceberg... most clients will never think to ask about conversion rates, site copy, list building etc etc - because they don't know what this stuff is - it's our job (or was, I don't take on clients anymore) to tell them about it, show them how it will help, and sell it to them.

But if you're selling basic $500 sites and nothing else, then you're right... you're not at a level to call yourself an Internet marketer.

[QUOTE=John Romaine;5766022]You're a web developer, not an internet marketer.

There's a HUGE difference.

If you build websites for clients, you are NOT internet marketing.
QUOTE]


I get what you are saying. And yes, heaps of people do get the two muddled. It just shows those who know their stuff, and those who are trying to get by as something else.

If you are creating sites optimized to get conversions and rank well in search engines, I think you are still an Internet Marketer.

There are a lot of people who call themselves internet marketers who I would not like to be associated with as being like them. Marketing is such a large topic and nearly everyone who owns a business market in some way.

If you are a web developer, I guess you still need to market yourself in order to get clients.

I think these 2 links could be of great help:

Internet marketing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Web development - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheers,
Louie Tugas

So what you're saying is that even though web developers utilize internet marketing strategies, they're not really internet marketers?

Similar to just because someone plays the guitar doesn't make them a musician.

I got it.

I don't really call myself an Internet Marketer. Marketing is a part of what I do, but building websites is a bigger part. But once a site is built, you have to market it.

By the same token, if you are a web developer, someone has to market those skills to drum up those customers.

Cant you be both?

I think my original post may have been misunderstood by some. I apologise if I didnt get my message across clearly.

My reference to "web developers" are those that simply build sites, as their sole business model. As in, meeting with clients, building sites, then repeating the process, with little or if no marketing strategies at all.

I guess the real question is ...

What is an internet marketer by true definition?
What is a web developer by true definition?

I think the intepretation of each is often very blurred.

I understand that building sites is a fundamental part of internet marketing, but web development is certainly NOT internet marketing as an entity.

Does a brick layer consider himself a property developer???

I know for myself personally, I spent YEARS with my head buried in code and graphics, day in day out, yet knew nothing about list building, email marketing, keyword research or SEO.

Put simply, I was a techie. I knew nothing about marketing.

I didnt start this thread with the intention of getting up anyones nose, not at all.

I just get frustrated when I see members posting here that they consider themselves "Internet Marketers" because they install wordpress blogs for clients at $15 an hour.

I tend to agree... but rather than just web developer... depending on what you do, it could also be...

Publisher
Writer
Design
And so on and so forth...

But you can if you do both John

Di

It doesn't seem like a big deal to me and doesn't bear the same seriousness of the thread, "Don't call yourself a writer if what you really are is a thief!"

Sorry Sir.
With due respect, I don't agree with it.
The way an woman can be a daughter and wife and mom at a same time.....A dev. can be an IMer at same time....if he or she has the skills.....

Note the keyword is skills.

Thnx

What's with all of these "label" threads lately? Why do we have to wear the label someone else gives us?

Who cares Dude?

I just call myself a:

Seems to work for me.

Kindest regards,
Karl.

i agree this thread is beyond stupid! What benefit did you get from posting this?

John Romaine is just trying to explain the difference between web developer and internet marketing. Actually on my opinion, web developer is part of internet marketing.

I mean...don't you have to do some internet marketing in order to sell your web designer services?

If you aren't making much money or if you have someone else handling your marketing strategy for you, then obviously you aren't an internet marketer, but for freelancers that are constantly seeking out work, I think this is appropriate.

Who cares? I don't care if someone comes on here and calls themselves a web marketer - or a mushroom.... makes no difference to me, call yourself what ever you like. Like on Tuesdays I like to wear women's clothes and call myself Suzanne. That's OK isn't it??

And where are all these posts where people are saying "Im an internet marketer, I build websites" I don't recall having seen many of these.

Ooooh, better go get my makeup on, it's Tuesday.....

Suzanne.

New title, "Beggar Looking for Bread ... lots of it."

Who cares how people call themselves? Gosh I don't understand why people even think about things like this. We are ALL on the Internet trying to make money. Who cares how and which methods we are using...Jeez!

I kinda hate these "Don't call yourself..."; "Don't do this and that" threads. Mind your own business. Everyone does what he pleases and nobody can change that.

Just my opinion guys.

Cheers

Alen

First off, who cares about these labels and who uses them? Are you afraid it's giving you a bad rep or something? Don't worry about it...

Second, I think I can disagree. Say my business is developing websites, and I find all my clients through internet methods like craigslist, paid ads, etc., and I help them set up a website and optimize it for growing their business. How is this not "internet marketing"? I'm finding my own business through the internet, and am helping others "market" themselves via the internet.

Third off, again, who cares if web developers call themselves internet marketers...

I just checked and if anyone is interested....

TheKingOfTheUnitedStates.com is available.

I call myself an internet network marketer.

Well this thread has gone to hell in a handbag.

JOHNNY! Y U NO LIKE WORDPRESS INSTALLERS

Does it really matter?

Wouldnt this thread have been better suited on your blog?

Garrie

I don't think this really needs to be said... it's obvious that if your a web developer, that doesn't make you an internet marketer. There are a lot of WD's that are also IM's though...

John you have balls!

And your are right.

You could also say: " Don´t call yourself an internet marketer if you just sell WSOs"

"I am a intenet marketing expert because I sell WSOs... " sorry but your are not an internet marketer you are just a seller.

Cheers

indeed not all web designers are internet marketers but in fairness to those who do it both they can still call themselves as web designer at the same time marketer. I salute those people who do it both and for those people who claim themselves as one I suggest you should label yourself well.

Have a great day everyone.