Marketing your Web Site

In the past it has often been difficult for small businesses to let potential customers know all about their services or products. Traditional forms of advertising such as ads in newspapers, direct mail, brochures and flyers are expensive and you are limited with the amount of information you can provide. The Internet allows you to display any information cheaply and effectively and is accessible by anyone around the world who is searching for products and services like yours.

10 ideas on how to promote your web site

We will make sure that your site is easily found on search engines and directories, but there are a few things that you can do to ensure your web sites success.

1. Make sure your web address is on any printed material that leaves your office including letters, brochures, flyers, business cards, fax sheets, invoices, quotes or receipts.

2. Include your web address on your answering machine so people know they can find more information 24 hours a day.

3. Request for a link on an Industry site. If you belong to a trade association or organisation, ask for a link. You can also request reciprocal links from sites with products that compliment yours, from suppliers or companies that you work with.

4. Create a signature with your Email program. Email programs allow you to create a signature that will appear at the end of each email you write. Include your name, your company name, web site, email address and perhaps a very short description of your business or perhaps a marketing phrase.

5. Join an online newsgroup related to your business. Just join in with the discussions and let your signature in your email do all the work. (People in newsgroups tend to get upset with blatant advertising).

6. Send out a press release. If you think there is something unique about your business then send out a press release. Remember to include information about your web site. Send it to any local papers in your area and also to any magazines that relate to your web site.

7. Run a contest on your web site, then advertise your competition on a site such as http://www.easycash.com.au. This is a great way of generating more traffic.

8. Set up a mailing list on your web site to collect email addresses. This form of promotion is great because you can send out newsletters or announcements to people who have come to your site searching for your particular service or product. (See email marketing for more information)

9. Find Internet directories related to your business, and submit your web site. Link popularity is extremely important on some search engines, so doing this will help to boost your ranking.

10. Consider buying a magnetic sign to stick on your car advertising your web site address. A web site address is better than a phone number because they are easier to remember.