What can you do to stimulate
traffic to your web site? You can
find thousands of articles on web site promotion on the
internet, but I have summarized a list of items to consider:
>>>Submit Page to Search Engines The most important search
engines that robotically "spider" or index your site are:
AltaVista, Excite, HotBot, Lycos, Infoseek, WebCrawler, and
Northern Light.
>>>Submit to Yahoo Yahoo is the most important listing of all --
though it is technically a directory, rather than a search
engine. But be very careful, and follow their instructions.
>>>Submit Page to Other Directories These do not help much,
except to increase the perceived "popularity" of your site by
major search engines.
>>>Include URL on Stationery, Cards, and Literature Make sure
cards, stationary, brochures, and literature contain your
company's URL.
>>>Promote using traditional media Do not discontinue print
advertising you have found effective, but be sure to include
your URL in the ads you purchase. Catch readers' attention with
the ad, and then refer them to a Web page where they can obtain
more information or perhaps place an order. Consider other
traditional media to drive people to your site, such as direct
mail, classifieds, post cards, etc.
>>>Develop a Free Service. This can be very rewarding in increased traffic to your site. Make sure that your free service
is closely related to what you are selling so the visitors you
attract will be good prospects for your business.
>>>Request Reciprocal Links Find complementary web sites and
request a reciprocal link to your. Build a separate page where
you put links to other sites so that you do not send people out
the back door as fast as you bring them in the front door.
>>>Request Links from Business Link Sites. Especially if you
offer a free service, you can request links from many of the
small business linking pages on the Web. E-mail the site owner
or webmaster with your site name, URL, and a brief 200-word
description of what you offer there.
>>>Publish an E-Mail Newsletter It is a big commitment
publishing a newsletter, but it is one of the best ways to keep
in touch with your prospects and build future business.
>>>Install a "Signature" in your E-Mail Program Most e-mail
programs allow you to designate a "signature" to appear at the
end of each message you send. Limit it to 6 to 8 lines: Company
name, address, phone number, URL, e-mail address, and a
one-phrase description of your unique business offerings. Look
for examples on e-mail messages sent to you.
>>>Announce a Contest People like getting something free. If you
publicize a contest or drawing available on your site, you'll
generate more traffic than normal.
>>>Join a Banner Exchange Program of the many banner exchange
programs, LinkExchange is the biggest. You agree to show a
rotating banner on your site for other LinkExchange members, and
they do the same for you.
>>>Purchase Banner Ads You may need to spend money to boost
traffic by purchasing banner advertising. Choose sites that seem
to attract the type of people who would be good prospects for
your business or product. You can find media brokers who can
help you find appropriate and cost-effective places to advertise.
>>>Buy a Text Ad in an E-Mail Newsletter Some of the best
advertising buys are for small 4 to 12 line ads in established
e-mail newsletters. Ads can both inform and motivate readers to
click on the URL, and tend to bring much more targeted visitors.
>>>Ask Visitors to Bookmark Your Site It seems so simple, but
make sure you ask visitors to bookmark your site.
I certainly haven't depleted all the ways to promote your site,
but these will get you started. To effectively market your site
you need to spend some time adapting these strategies to your
own market and BE CONSISTENT. Good luck to you!
About the author:
Stephanie D. Buelt, Webmaster, Dezines By Stephanie For
AFFORDABLE PROFESSIONAL Web Design Visit http://buelt.tripod.com