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[F853]Free Web Site Marketing

by Sharon Housley, Sha

Follow these basic steps to market your website and business.

1. Sign It

Include your website URL as part of your "signature" in any online forum and newsgroup posts. It is not uncommon for someone who appreciates the comments to click through to the websites found in the signatures of forum posts. This will not only increase link popularity, but will help establish your industry knowledge. It goes without saying that URLs should also be included in email signatures.

2. Utilize Social Bookmarking

There are a number of social bookmarking websites, where the collective users select the materials that they determine to be popular. If you have created resources that are worthy, be sure to bookmark them in the social bookmarking networks.

3. Niche Networking

Network with key players in niche markets. Schmoozing with authorities in niche markets can often pay big dividends. Learn the "Who's Who" in any given niche market.

4. Donations

Goodwill goes a long way. Donate a percentage of sales to a non-profit organization or charity. If revenue is an issue, consider donating products or services to fund-raising auctions or other fund-raising efforts. Donations will often reach an audience outside the parameters of your normal market, and will show that you care... and aside from all that, your donations will actually benefit the organization or charity.

5. Answers / Askville

Use Yahoo Answers and Amazon's Askville to answer questions. The more answers that are endorsed, the more your advice will be valued. Provide genuine, honest answers and build your reputation. It appears that many "top" answers appear high in Yahoo search results, and Yahoo Answers captures a lot of long-tail traffic.

Yahoo Answers - http://answers.yahoo.com Amazon Askville - http://www.askville.com

6. SEO

Spend the time it takes to properly optimize your website for the search engines. This is not an area to cut corners or skimp on. Proper search engine optimization, while an ongoing process and very time-consuming, can pay big dividends and will often result in long-term search engine traffic.

7. Classifieds

There are a number of free classified listing services. Add your products or services to any free classified listings that might be relevant.

8. Recommend It

Add a "Recommend To A Friend" script to the product pages on your website. Nothing beats a referral from a friend. Leverage viral marketing by providing your website visitors with the tools to easily spread the word for you.

9. Blog / RSS / Podcasting

Generate your own publicity using a blog, RSS feed, podcast, or video cast. Use these alternate communication channels to expand your audience.

10. Related Content Site Develop a content website that contains related information and materials. Content sites are often defined as "authority" websites. Authority websites are often quick to garner search engine favor and top ranking for relevant search terms.

11. Wiki

Update wiki listings with useful and helpful content. Good wiki editing will reinforce your reputation and help educate your audience.

12. Forum Participation

Actively participating in related forums will generate goodwill and increase your brand reputation. And be sure to add a company tagline and website link to the signature of your forum posts.

Marketing efforts need not break the bank for a fledgling company or struggling small business. Use the tools available, and build your business through smart marketing.

I am sure there are other free and inexpensive ways to advertise on line in addition to those described in this article. I will try to research them and update this article as often as possible.

1.) Email Marketing

Use your site address as your Email signature. In addition to the address, you should also provide a short but meaningful description of the web site. (Example: www.yourcareerlinks.com -Top Job Search Engines And Career Advice ).

2.) Business Cards, Signs & Gifts

Web Master ( that is you ) can print business cards stating information about your web site. Vista Print (www.vistaprint.com) offers free business cards. You pay only for shipping. When you meet people and tell them about the site, you should also give them cards with your web address.

It is also a good idea to buy inexpensive small magnetic signs with your web site address and short description, and attach them to your car. Other options for car advertisement are customized frame around your tags and bumper sticker. Mugs, pen and other gifts with your site information are often used to promote web sites.

3.) Reciprocal Links

Find web pages similar to yours and ask for reciprocal links (they mention your site at their links page or elsewhere while you do the same at your site.) If you are lucky to have relatives or friends with established, high traffic web sites, ask them to place an ad or link at their site.

Don't place link to your site at FFA ("Free For All") pages where you can have link to your site among millions of others. It is useless and some search engines may even penalize you for doing it.

4.) Ezines

Another way to market your web site is through Ezines. Ezine is Email newsletter. Some Ezines have 1000s of subscribers while others have only 100s. Usually Ezine Ads are inexpensive.

Locate Ezines with content similar to your site and find out how much it costs to place an ad. One can also offer to write articles in exchange for free or discounted ads.

You can find Ezine directory at www.ezinehub.com or just type "Ezine Directory" in any search engine, and you will have a list of other Ezine directories.

5.) Message Boards And Chat Rooms

Message boards and chat rooms might be good tools to promote web page. One major mistake that many web masters make is to go to message board and just drop message with your web site address.

Instead, you should locate chat rooms and message boards with interests similar to your site, introduce yourself, participate in discussions, and then mention your site. This way you will show genuine interest and get acquainted with prospective visitors to your site.

Getting visitors to your site is only part of success. People will not stay long and will not come back if there is no quality content which is updated often. I don't care what your site is about, it must have articles or useful up to date information. If you sell shoes on your site, write an article on how to choose shoes. In case your site is about boxing, write about boxers or fights.

Content can make or break your site. If people like your content, they will recommend it to others, and you will get many additional visitors.

Article Source : Marketing Tips

About Author

Both Sharon Housley & Archie Lubman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Sharon Housley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Anger Control, Writing and Music. Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll software for creating, editing, publishi. Sharon Housley's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.

Archie Lubman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing Tips, Computers and The Internet and Careers and Job Hunting. Archie Lubman . Archie Lubman's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.