Getting Traffic to Your Website
There's probably just as many ways of getting traffic to your site as there are web sites, so it's important to examine the options and find out what works for you.
I
love getting free traffic but I also pay for
traffic using various advertising methods.
Because search engine algorithms change
constantly and rules of advertising seem to
change just as often using one source of
traffic can be limiting.
Here are some
strategies for getting both free and paid
advertising that work very well:
- Write
Articles
Writing articles is the easiest and fastest way to generate traffic and it's free. Articles also work extremely well for creating link backs to your site and helping increase your page rank.
When you publish an article to the net, you are allowed to place an authors box or resource box at the end of the article. This author's box is an "about you and your business" paragraph that you submit with each article. If a reader values your article they are very likely to click through to your website from the information included in your author box.
Additionally, if you submit your article to reputable article directories, interested readers will use your article on their sites. Webmasters are always looking for useful content and if your article is good, they will use it.
http://www.homenotion.com/article_marketing.html
Never use your articles as a
sales pitch. Instead provide your readers with
enough information, tips and tactics that they
will come running to your site hungry for
more.
You can also
publish your articles to your own web site and
include a note stating they are available for
reprint as long as
your author's box and links
remain in tact.
-Use Pay-Per-Click PPC
Advertising
The three best pay-per-click search engines are:
- Google
Adwords
- Yahoo
(formerly
Overture)
- Miva
Google Adwords is probably the most widely used and the most profitable pay per click search engine.
Here's Why...
1. Google attracts internet savvy users and most internet savvy users aren't afraid to by online, they do it on a consistent basis.
2. Google Adwords delivers instant results.
3. Your audience is highly targeted.
4. If you place your ads correctly, Google will reward you for high click thru rate and your ads will cost less while you achieve better placement.
So how do you make sure you
achieve #4?
Important side
note: I don't recommend advertising on Google
Adwords without getting some background
knowledge first. It can be very expensive if
you don't.
Brad Callen, authored an
excellent free guide
called Adwords Made
Easy which is shows
you how to use Adwords without making
costly mistakes. Brad takes you step by step
through everything from getting set up to
finding keywords, writing ads that get
clicks and a few other nice tricks that come
in very handy.
- Place small ezine ads
Placing ads in topic related
ezines is an excellent way to gain exposure.
The key is to advertise in publications that
are relevant to what you are
selling.
I've had many
people send me ads to place in my marketing
newsletter that were for gardening
equipment, pet
care or finance software.
My marketing
newsletter would not produce targeted visitors
for these types of ads, their ads
are wasted on
uninterested viewers.
- Advertise on Other Web Sites
Take a look at sites that have similar content as yours but are not in direct competition. Look for advertising opportunities and advertise on their sites.
- Trade links with like web sites
Set aside a few hours each week to trade links with related web sites. Be sure to create an exchange link that contains your primary keyword. We'll talk more about this in my next email.
- Join & comment on forums
Join forums that are related to your site's topic and participate regularly by answering questions, asking questions and becoming part of the general discussions.
This gives you exposure and allows people to see who you are, what your business is about. You'll also gain respect and be looked upon as an expert in your field, consequently drawing visitors to "your" site.
-Joint ventures & Networking
Setting up joint ventures with others creates a viral effect. Viral means it spreads and the word spreads fast when you joint venture with others. You're not working as hard on your marketing efforts because others are getting the word out for you as well.
Of course you want to make contact with others that may have an interest in you and your product without being in direct competition. For example, if you sell running shoes, strike up a joint venture with someone that has a dieting and health website or possibly a site about the benefits of running. Requesting a joint venture with another running shoes website would not produce interest.
A strategy for accomplishing this would be to offer your prospective joint venture partner something of value that he can offer to his customers or mailing list. This makes him look good to his customers and you get a free promotion. Likewise you can do the same for him. The idea is to help each other. It's a win/win for you both. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours!
In Summary...
There are many creative yet free ways to promote your business and products on the net. Here's a free traffic guide that has more useful tips you can have with my compliments ;-)
'Top 12 Ways to Generate Free Traffic to your Website'.
Your Partner In Success,
Elizabeth