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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR WEBSITE
Over 80% of web site hits come from word-of-mouth!
Just because you’re online doesn’t mean you should ignore "old media" strategies. A mixed media approach is the most effective.
Tell everyone you’re on the net!
1.Educate your staff!
We’re constantly flabbergasted by the number of receptionists who DON’T EVEN KNOW if their company has a web site! Or, the number who don’t know the company web site address! Or, they don’t know the company email address! It’s really important to have your staff fully briefed on the fact that you’re on the net and that people calling need to be told your website address.
Add a "signature" to every email anybody in your organisation sends. It’s easy to set up so automatically every email sent contains a hyperlink to your web site. Recipients just click on the link to go straight to the site. To do it, in OUTLOOK EXPRESS, go to TOOLS, click OPTIONS, click SIGNATURES and follow the on-screen instructions. I recommend you add a signature like this:
To visit our web site, CLICK ON THIS:
http://www.BonzaMobileComputerRepairs.com/
Click Here for step by step instructions to set up an email signature
3. Vehicle Signage
Here’s an expression I hate to use: SPEND MONEY getting stickers for the back of your vehicles proclaiming your Web Address. Thousands of people will spend time behind all your vehicles, including your private family cars, and read that message. Stickers in the rear window work brilliantly (your staff may be kind enough to stick them on their private vehicles as well!) They are effective and very cheap when you consider the exposure they give.
The quick and easy way to get stickers is to contact www.WebsiteAddressStickers.com
4. Your Business Premises
Place signs EVERYWHERE at your premises. It’s OK if they are knocked out on your computer or even by hand and a bit rough – that conveys a message that this is the latest, breaking, hottest news. All the signs have to say is "OurBusiness.com!"
Add dot com to all your existing signage. Again, it doesn’t matter if the addition is rough! This catches the eye!
5. Your Printed Material
Add your URL on Stationery, Cards, and Literature. Make sure your printer gets the URL syntax correct. Your Web site URL should be on every piece of company media from letterheads to coffee cups - anywhere that a phone number would be included. In print, it’s not necessary to have the http:// part so that can be left off and only the www.domain.com portion included.
6. Promote Using Traditional Media
Don't discontinue print advertising if you've found it effective. View your website as an information adjunct to the ad and be sure to include your URL in any display or classified ads you purchase in trade journals, newspapers, Yellow Pages, flyers etc.
Don't neglect e-mail as an important way to bring people to your website. Just don't spam. That is, don't send bulk unsolicited e-mails without permission to people with whom you have no relationship. Do send emails to your existing client base advising them of your new website.
Click Here to learn how to send bulk emails
Be careful of hustlers out there trying to sell you databases and software of email lists. Spamming will make enemies, not friends. It can also get you barred from large ISPs, crippling your traffic.
Online Site promotion is an ongoing process …. And shouldn’t be rushed.
For some businesses it might be worthwhile assigning a person who can dedicate time each day handling these online methods.
The important thing is to set up a regular schedule. Remember, good link development is just good marketing.
8. Linking Strategies:
The key to successful content promotion is to start relationships, not beg for links. Over time, you’ll find yourself part of a relevant network within your niche, and site promotion becomes a whole lot easier.
Don’t be fooled into getting into dubious link schemes. If you see ads or websites promising “Automatic Link Exchange Software that improves Reciprocal link exchange management, increase website visitors and sales with this link exchange software” it’s certain those incoming links will come from irrelevant and spam websites and will damage your efforts to promote your site.
9. Reciprocal links:
No longer carry much weight, but do no harm either so long as links are relevant and useful to your visitors. The ONE BIG thing to remember is what is NEEDED is links from sites that have associated content AND are already placed high in the search engines.
Note: When you want to add links to your site, send the details through and we’ll add them to your site.
10. Viral marketing:
Viral marketing describes any strategy that encourages individuals to pass on a marketing message to others, creating the potential for exponential growth in the message’s exposure and influence. This can be done via email and any other advertising you do.
11. Site Review:
Ask friends or colleagues in your industry, to review your business website. If you have high profile friends, then you are sure to bring high traffic and increased authority impact to your website. Their review can be included on their website with a link to your site. Of course you’d reciprocate the gesture.
12. Personalize emails:
Always personalize your e-mail responses, newsletters, invitations and any other material that ends up at your existing or possible future clients. Never send a bulk message. Most people get offended by such messages and the future possible clients will just ignore them.
13. Keep in Touch:
Send out a “thank you” email to all existing customers and alert them about your plans for the next year.
14. Participate in Your Industry Online:
Comment or participate in discussions or content on other websites in your industry and always leave your signature url at the end of your comments. Don’t hard sell or to promote your services here. You’re just building relationships.
15. Blogs:
Put together a list of the most influential blogs for your industry and audience. Then have someone contribute to the discussion in the comments. Expand on the topic that was written about and even point out additional resources. Make sure the comments are insightful and non-promotional.
16. Write Articles:
Your articles could be how-to, advice, or opinion columns. You can dramatically increase your visibility when you write articles in your area of expertise and distribute them to editors as free content for their e-mail newsletters or their websites. Just ask that a link to your website and a one-line description of what you offer be included with the article. This is an effective "viral" approach that can produce hundreds of links to your site over time. Submit your article to http://ezinearticles.com/
17. Begin Your Own Blog:
It takes dedication because this isn't a one-time process. If you offer excellent content and regular industry comment, people are likely to link to it, increasing your site's PageRank.
18. Publish an E-Mail Newsletter:
While it's a big commitment in time, publishing a monthly e-mail newsletter ("ezine") is one of the very best ways to keep in touch with your prospects, generate trust, develop brand awareness, and build future business. It also helps you collect e-mail addresses from those who visit your site but aren't yet ready to make a purchase. Ask for an e-mail address and first name so you can personalize the newsletter. You can create and distribute your newsletter using autoresponders like http://www.constantcontact.com/
19. Create an (extensive) glossary of terms in your industry:
That will set you apart and will make you an authority website in your niche. This will mean adding an extra page to your website so give us a call if you want to create a Glossary to add to your website.
There's heaps of great stuff at The Bonza Help Centre... To check it out...
