One of the top priorities of any business and a key focus of Internet marketing is to generate a lead. A lead is any information that is freely given by a potential customer which can help a company generate a sale. Leads can translate into increased consumer interest for a company's products and services and can lead to sales.

Leads are an important part of Internet marketing strategies. In fact, there are Web sites that exist solely for the purpose of generating leads. Companies are more than willing to pay top dollar for that very precious customer information.

You don't have to pay through the nose if you want to gain access to this information. There are many ways to generate leads through your Web site without having to spend a lot of money. You may already be using many different techniques of generating leads, but how would you know if you are going about it correctly?

There are five important questions that you must answer in order to find out if your Web site is successful in generating leads. Use these questions as a guide to your Internet marketing initiatives.

Question #1: 'Am I providing what my customers are looking for?'

People come to your Web site looking for very specific information. Do you provide this type of information and is it relevant to your customers? Even if you have the best written Internet marketing articles online, not a word of it will matter if you don't give the information that your customers are looking for. If they don't find that information, they take their business somewhere else ' simple as that.

Question #2: 'Can my customers find what they are looking for?'

Your information will mean squat if your customer can't find it amid all the clutter on your Web site. Make sure your site's layout is user-friendly and that the information is broken down into pieces that are easy to digest. Internet marketing may allow you to put as much information as you want, but it is more effective to place only the important things in a strategic manner.

Question #3: 'Am I speaking my customer's language?'

Using jargon and too many technical terms is one of the quickest ways to alienate your customers. Talk to your customers in a language they understand. Doing so is not only effective Internet marketing, but also makes your customers feel like you identify with them.

Question #4: 'Does my site make my customer feel important?'

Another thing that puts off customers is when you focus too much on yourself. Sure, you may build credibility by displaying your achievements and awards, but that may come off as bragging. Your Internet marketing effort should be all about your customers. They are much more interested in what you can offer them now than what you have done in the past.

Question #5: 'Am I asking for the right information?'

In generating leads, ask only for vital information because customers are usually willing to part with as little information as possible. Give them more value in return for the information that they give you.

Take these five questions to heart for more effective lead generation and Internet marketing. They are key building blocks to online success.