So, you’ve finished setting up your website; you have introduced your online business and presented the products and services that you offer. Your website includes promotions to catch your visitor’s attention. So far you have followed the standard blueprint for creating a website servicing an online business. So why you are not seeing the commercial results you were hoping for? The chances are that you have not planned and implemented an effective website promotion campaign. There are a few things you should be aware of when promoting your site.
Any promotional effort should be maintained at a constant rate. It is obviously no use spending a few days promoting your site then taking your foot off the gas as it were. Constant and persistent promotion will be rewarded with gradually improved SERP results and you will also begin to gain attention within your target audience. Patience is a virtue, so they say. You will need to experiment with each promotional technique until you are satisfied that you are using the most effective free methods available. Testing each method is, of course, of paramount importance.
Having said the above, here are four zero cost promotional techniques that you can experiment with until you find what works for you:
Search Engines and Directories
You can place a description and free link to your website in many search engines and online directories. There is usually a paid upgrade option, but most basic listings are free of charge. You will need to search out these online directories and place your link in the sections most applicable to your business.
Link Exchange
Search for other websites similar to your own and contact the webmaster about a mutual exchange of links. This is usually beneficial to both parties so most webmasters will be agreeable to such an exchange. Make sure your link anchor text contains your keyword.
Classified Ads
Search online for sites offering free classified ad placements. One benefit of these ads is that they may be viewed by persons outside of your target audience but who may also be interested in the products and services that you offer.
Free Internet Banners
Place a free (or, in the worst case, low-cost) banner on sites which provide this service. Banners are extremely effective at catching the reader’s attention, however it is important not to ‘overdo’ your banner with multi-colors and flashing text.
When you have implemented the above it is important that you track how your visitors arrive at your site in order to identify the most effective and, by elimination, the least effective promotional techniques. Continual monitoring of your website traffic together with refinement of the effective promotional techniques should result in you seeing an increase in visitors to your site.
By Keith Blackburn