The Fast 500 list is compiled from Deloitte’s 19 regional North American Fast 50 programs, nominations submitted directly to Fast 500, and public company database research.

About IKANO Stemming from classical Greek word meaning, "to enable," IKANO is market-leading enabler of private-label Internet services. IKANO partners with Internet Service Providers to help reduce operating costs, increase revenue and expand geographic reach/product offering. IKANO is parent company of SISNA, one of nation's original Internet Service Providers; Interhop/auracom, offering ISP franchises and consumer Internet services throughout Canada; and HOTSPOTZZ, one of largest private providers of Wi-Fi hot spots. IKANO served as official network provider for 2002 Winter Olympic Games. For more information visit www.ikano.com.

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A working definition is that internet marketing is any kind of marketing that begins on internet and promotes something. (Usually it will promote a website, as a destination in itself or a gateway to further interaction, but it doesn’t have to follow that route.) And of course, just because a promotion begins on internet, it doesn’t mean it will end there. Under umbrella term “internet marketing,” exists a wide array of options: search engine optimization, pay-per-click, paid-inclusion, search engine submissions, directory submissions, link campaigns, online press releases, website copywriting, internet yellow pages, email campaigns, newsletters and ezines, and recently, blogging and RSS feeds. The list is by no means exhaustive. These promotional methods all fit under broad umbrella term, internet marketing.

How does this help a typical marketer? To illustrate, let’s use case of a client whose website is languishing on web – it needs more traffic. It’s most common request to our internet marketing company, SmallBusinessOnline.net. Should website owner go directly to a search engine optimization specialist? Not necessarily. Search engine optimization may not be answer at all. The client is better served by having project assessed by a company with a broad approach to internet marketing, rather than to a niche specialist. The work may involve an email campaign, or development of a newsletter, or an RSS solution, or an IYP ad, or whatever solution may be – and frequently solution involves a combination of activities. It all depends on the nature of website, and how that site may best be marketed. Every client is unique, and every project has a unique solution. This is not to say that search engine optimization specialist is irrrelevant. Far from it. But initial assessment is best made from broadest perspective.

Today, field of internet marketing is a crazy patchwork quilt of competing claims and shrill promises. This is not good for anybody. As internet matures, a true framework will emerge giving structure and definition to new discipline of internet marketing. This will help to build trust of advertisers, and process will eventually weed out fly-by-night outfits who are muddying waters today. In end, for business and consumers alike, that’s a very good thing.