Outsource Internet     Marketing:

10 reasons to Outsource Internet Marketing to India
- Bhaskar Thakur

While experts agree that Internet Marketing is the next big wave after the dot com there is a debate about the ROI of Internet Marketing programs. Online Business owners and Interactive marketing agencies often disagree with the basic definition of ROI and its measurement.

Is ROI a measure of increase in visitor count or increase in the number of leads? Should we track cost per click or cost per lead and cost per sale?

However, there is a consensus that going forward every Marketing dollar will have to be accounted for; and we believe that outsourcing will be concomitant to client's demand for 'more' from the program. India will be one of the first choices for the businesses and Interactive Marketing Agencies to partner and outsource.

Here's what gives India the edge:

1. Large Internet using population
   
   India has the fifth largest population of Internet users with estimated 39 to 40 million Internet users. This is when the penetration is only 3.6%.



2. Fastest Growing Internet population
   
   While China recorded a growth of Internet population by 317% between 2000- 2005 India managed a phenomenal 684% growth in the same period. Given that the Internet penetration is just 3.6% in India there is a definite surge in the Internet population brewing.
   
   The large and growing Internet user's population would ensure availability of quality resource to work on outsourced Internet marketing projects.
   
   (Data Source: Nielsen, CNNIC, Internet World Stats)



3. IT friendly government policies
   
   The IT industry and investment friendly policies of Government of India give India a definite edge over the other outsourcing venues. Department of Information Technology Government of India has the vision and mandate "To make India an IT Super Power by the Year 2008."



4. Geographical advantage- Critical issues will be handled before your customers wake up
   
   India has a 10- 12 hours time difference from various locations in the United States. Critical issues can thus be handled overnight. You could open an issue with your offshore Internet Marketing partner in India in the evening and expect a resolution the next day AM. Critical issues can be handled 'while your customer sleeps' with '0- Business down time'.



5. Experience in managing outsourcing
   
   Indians have mastered the art of Outsourcing, be it software or medical transcription or Finance. There is abundance of management skills and domain expertise to manage "expectations" when it comes to outsourced Internet marketing projects.



6. English is the default business language in India
   
   Believe it or not! For the Indians English (American or UK) is the second mother tongue. Organized Business is conducted predominantly in English. Communication is not an issue as it is with some other countries.



7. Appreciation for American business ethos
   
   Indians are one of the most affluent immigrant populations both in the United States and United Kingdom. There is a constant exchange of culture and values (because of the large floating population) and Internet Marketers have an appreciation of American culture. It is no longer about computer geeks; it is about people who have insight into American society and customer aspiration. Check out Indian American websites for details about the Migrant Indians.



8. Indian Agencies are NOT cheap- They are 'Value for money'
   
   Unlike some other destinations not all agencies and companies in India are cheap. Off course, they deliver value for money Internet Marketing services. While looking for an offshore Internet Marketing partner it"s critical to identify "genuine players", who may be slightly costlier than the others.



9. Falling (spiral) cost of communication
   
   The cost of communication has come down and is continuing its southwards trend. Prohibitive cost of communication prevented smaller Internet Marketing Agencies in the US from testing the offshoring water until now. With broadband, calling India from the US and vice- versa costs almost as much as a local call. There are a number of innovative solutions and the cost will certainly spiral down, further.



10. Only destination that has all the above to make a successful Outsourcing destination
    
    There is only one outsourcing destination that offers the above as a package and this gives India an edge over competition. Outsource Internet Marketing to India will be the first choice of American businesses.