Advertising Your Website
Finding free or low cost website advertising is not nearly as impossible as you may think. If you search the internet however you'll discover there are several tools available to you which only require your time.
I've listed here are some ideas that you can use to assist you bringing traffic to your website.
1. Do a Google Search- Let me state the obvious (though surprising how often this is overlooked). Type in Google "free advertising", and then work through first page of the results. To target your adverting put in free advertising (and then your field) eg; Free Advertising Web Design"
2.Viral Marketing is always a good way to spread your message quickly. Put together an email for your friends and ask them to pass it on to their friends, and they in turn will pass it on to their friends. This is the viral effect - just make sure your email is a good read and uses all the known elements to get people to open their emails.
3. Writing Articles can also put your promoting efforts into overdrive. It really is simple to write articles so website owners can use them for content. Try joining http://groups.google.com and http://groups.yahoo.com . A good site to check out is ezinearticles.com
Do a search for groups that accept articles for publication and follow their guidelines. You can also submit articles for free. Just Google "submit free articles" and you will be presented with a smorgasboard of links to get you going.
Do a web search for other sites whether niche or general that accept articles too. This website will help you get started. Click here (new window opens).
4. Free Ezine Advertising is another great option. Most ezine publishers will give you a free ad if you subscribe to their free ezine. Visit http://subscribeme.net You can also search for Ezine Directories where you will find scores of free publications which may have similar offers. Additionally, some ezine publishers may also feature your article if you contact them directly.
5. Write a Press Release. You can write a press release and submit it for consideration at prweb,com Newspaper reporters and other journalist are always looking for fresh news that they can publish. Research how to write a good press release to help insure your story and website info will be featured for free.
6. Start Page Traffic Exchanges can help you generate exposure to your site. You set your browser to open into the surf page then you view other sites in the exchange as others do the same. Google
7. Banner Exchanges work on the same principle. Place the exchange code on your website and earn placement of your banner on other sites within the exchange. I'm not keen on banner exchanges as I don't like the idea of having someone else's banner on my site (unless of course it is realted in some eay to my site and I have checked out their credibility).
8. Forums, Message Boards and Chat Rooms are excellent ways to interact with people and spread the news about your website. Search the internet for places that fit with the theme of your site. Be sure to visit sites like http://delphiforums.com. It's a good place to start. Remember to participate in the discussions and follow the accepted form to pitch your site. SPAM only causes you problems and is best avoided.
9. Blogging can be an excellent way to promote your website and offer valuable information to surfers. Remember most people surf the internet seeking information first. As a rule of thumb providing information or relevant content will bring people searching for what you have to offer. So add a Blog to your site and keep posting content.
10. Use An Email Signature. This is a simple highly effective way to advertise your business. Create an email signature with your name/ website /and tagline incorporating a a "call to action", ie, "Click here now to get a free XYZ to help increase your business", or "Click here now to see my latest creations at unbelieveable prices" You get the idea? Make sure you tell (in your tagline) what your business is about.
11. Link Exchanges can help you boost traffic to your site. Try trafficswarm. Check out Google search for "traffic exchanges". Additionally you can join a free desktop advertising exchange service here.
12. Get an optin email list. The easiest way to send your promotional material via email safely is to join an optin list. I recommend Your Lucky List
13. Spread the word through communities like Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.
As you can see, there are a variety of methods to effectively and inexpensively promote your website.
Be proactive and research ideas to help get the word out. You might be pleasantly surprised to discover promoting doesn't cost that much if you are willing to put in the extra time and effort necessary to see that happen.
