|
Author: Andy Varley Article source: http://www.selfseo.com/. Used with author's permission.
It's easy to forget the fundamental components of Web site promotion. Winding back the clock to the days when many Webmasters couldn't afford prolonged advertising campaigns, the majority of people starting out with a new Web site were forced to discover the art of free Web site promotion. In recent times, however, with "pay per click" advertising becoming less expensive and various other marketing activities becoming increasingly cheaper, the art of effectively promoting your site for free appears to have been lost. The purpose of this article is to act as a refresher course for any Webmasters who are keen to keep their promotional activities down to a shoestring budget.
The practices you perform when promoting your site for free are just as important as any paid advertisements you might run. Indeed, drawing a steady flow of visitors to your Web site needn't be an expensive affair. So, what things really matter if you're serious about increasing your site's traffic for free?
1) You should ensure your site is easy to link to. Even Webmasters who enjoy what your site has to offer may not consciously think to link you. In any case, you should remind your visitors, preferably on every page, how to go about adding your link. Not only will this bring extra visitors, it will improve your site's relevancy for the search engines. Additionally, establishing link exchanges with similar-themed sites as yours is a remarkably popular and effective way of boosting your traffic levels for free. Your aim should be to establish as many relevant link-backs as possible.
2) You might like to consider adding a hyperlink to your Web site in your e-mail signature. If you're feeling creative, you could do what some Webmasters do and add a small slogan, too. As well as this and within reason, you should respond to every legitimate e-mail you receive so that your Web address sticks in the mind of your contacts.
3) You should utilise search engines since they're an ideal form of free traffic. Ensuring your pages are search engine friendly is crucial. The majority of people find information on the Internet via search engines and it's important that you correctly research how to optimise your site. A good listing on a popular search engine can works wonders for traffic levels, so try spending some time optimising your pages. If you're unsure and need some guidance with the technicalities, there are numerous sites and forums on the Internet that can help you out.
4) Entering your site for awards is an excellent way to gain recognition. However, when suggesting your site for review, be sure to avoid "automatic award submitting" services, since these can significantly lower your chances of winning. They don't generally fare too well with the judges either.
5) Although not entirely free, you might like to experiment with running competitions on your site. Even if the prize is inexpensive (e.g. a t-shirt with your Web address on the front), it's a sure-fire way to reel-in interested visitors. Besides, directories specialising in listing competitions may also link to your site and send you additional visitors.
6) Submitting your site to the Open Directory (dmoz.org) is a free necessity for generating more site visitors. Not only will a listing here help to increase your site's relevancy (for search engine purposes), it will be accessible via countless other Web locations who use the Open Directory to power their own sites.
7) If you want to instantly draw some attention to your site, then tell all your friends about it. Word of mouth advertising is the best possible form of promotion anyone can muster, and incidentally, it's completely free!
8) Try telling visitors how to bookmark your site. There are still many Web surfers out there inexperienced with the Internet. You'd be surprised at how many also don't know how to bookmark a Web site they've found. That said, when designing your pages, it's a good idea to tell visitors how to add a bookmark. Alternatively, you could add a "click here to bookmark us" hyperlink.
9) Newsgroups are perfect for gaining site recognition. Recklessly promoting your site in newsgroups, however, is frowned upon. The key to promoting your site in newsgroups is to participate in newsgroup discussions that interest you. To promote your Web site (and to avoid any behaviour that may be deemed inappropriate), simply include your Web address in your signature. If readers appreciate your point of view, then it's likely that they will take some time to visit your Web site.
10) You should endeavour to update your site regularly. Fresh, regularly-updated content will enable you to gather a keen audience, and what's more, it will keep visitors returning. It's far easier to retain existing visitors than to find new ones. Therefore, your content should be structured in such a way that it entices people to return.
11) You may not have realised but how a person finds their way around your Web site is a make-or-break scenario for traffic levels. If people can't find what they're looking for then they won't view your site in a favourable light - and chances are they won't return. Therefore, when designing your site's pages, keep site navigation in mind, since consistent traffic levels are swayed by your site's user-friendliness. All your content should be easy to locate within three mouse clicks. Think "simple navigation". If visitors can find what they're looking for within the shortest amount of time possible then by and large, they will keep a mental note of your site and may pay a visit in the future.
12) Sites that are fast to load keep visitors visiting, and they'll undoubtedly help to increase your Web site traffic flow. Keeping site loading times down is a free and sensible way to indirectly increase traffic. How many times have you visited a Web page, only to find that it takes an age to load? My guess is that you didn't bother waiting around. On the Internet, if you want to be successful, then your site should (ideally) strike a balance between presentation and loading time.
Summary: A massive, targeted advertising campaign is the ideal solution for quick traffic. However, most ordinary Webmasters are not working for large corporations who can afford this level of promotion. The fact is you don't necessarily have to pay for high traffic levels, although if you are opting for the "free" route, you will have to work hard if your endeavours are to be successful. Remember: some of the best and most effective ways to increase traffic do not always require a wallet! These tips are courtesy of Andy Varley, owner and Webmaster of FreebieList.com (http://www.freebielist.com), a site dedicated to reviewing only the best quality freebies that can be found over the Internet. FreebieList.com provides a great mixture of consumer freebies and free Webmaster resources.
Free Money Saving Auto and Home Loan Tips
Some basic but sually forgotten loan tips that can hlp save money on your auto and home loans.
7 Useful Free Services For E-publishers
If you want to have an online business, without doubt, you
should have your own newsletter. Why is that important? Most
people won't buy your product on their f...
Four Secrets to Power Networking (The Networking Factor)
This short article adds new definition to "Short and Sweet!" Although short, do not underestimate this article of the "Four Secrets to Power Networking!"
Buying A Bar In Spain
All the info you need to successfully buy a bar in Spain. Take the headache away, its all smooth sailing from now.
Inspiration from a 30 Year Old Who Was Not Supposed to Live Past 10
My friend was so very much more than his condition. My friend transcended his condition with his spirit and his sense of humor. And in doing so, taught others t...
Herbal and Other Treatments as a Cure for Acne
The best acne cures are often at your fingertips.
Frequency Pollution; Is it real?
Mankind has had only a couple of hundred years of frequency pollution, human evolution has not kept up.
A Place For Everything In Your Home
Are there homeless items living in your home? If you're like
most families, you have countless bits and pieces lacking
designated spaces, so the homeless items ...
Cell Phone Accessories - A Guide To Wireless Phone Accessories
Cell phone accessories are a big business on the commodities' market today, and most folks have invested in at least one of the many options that are available ...
Do You Really Have What It Takes to Build Your Own Highly Successful Massage Business?
Are you a massage therapist thinking of going into business for yourself? Before you decide, read this article and see if you have the skills and qualities nece...
Healthy Diet Healthy Women
Women's health (physical and mental) is closely related (and somewhat "mimics") hormonal status and "balance" in the body.
Hormonal status here refers to the i...
The Bangkok Corrections Museum – Prison Life in a Thai Jail
The Bangkok Corrections Museum in Maha Chai Road
preserves gruesome aspects of Thai prison history and the
brutal prison life before reforms were made to the ...
Daybreak at Pikes Creek [a Poem]
A lovely poem my husband made in response to our trip to Lake Superior on my birthday this early August. Rosa
Get Focused, Get What You Want
Our outside world, is a direct reflection of what is going on inside of us. If your thoughts are scattered and unsure, they will create uncertainty. If your tho...
A Frugal Internet Marketing Strategy That Works!
Small businesses are missing out if they create a web site and then do not do anything to bring traffick to the site. Unfortunately, search engine optimization...
More than Mom and Dad
Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It makes a family. So why does it seem the moment you have a baby, love, or at least your love life as you know i...
Let Your Survey Write Your Business Plan
Entrepreneurs are first taught to generate a business plan,
then during its creation discover what it is they are going
to offer and to whom. Marketing master,...
Our New Years Resolution – Get Rid of The Toxins in our Lives
It is hard to believe, almost unthinkable. Everyday we are exposed to so many toxins in our lives. Some are so common and ordinary that we never know or fail to...
What Every Employer Should Know When They Can No Longer Offer Health Insurance Coverage
A non-insurance solution could just be the answer for the 70% of small businesses in America today that can no longer provide health Insurance coverage for thei...
How To Increase Adsense Income
Are you looking for ways to increase your Adsense income? Here are a few good tips that will double it!
24 Tips To Set Up An Effective Email Marketing Campaign - Part 1
69 percent of U.S. e-mail users have made purchases online after receiving permission-based e-mail marketing. An effective email marketing campaign will help yo...
Make Your Online Party A Success
Online parties are quickly becoming the better alternative to the traditional "In Home Party". Online parties can be more accommodating for the company rep and ...
Color Help: Color Theory and Design Psychology
Color theory is an entire science unto itself, and to get a full picture of how it all works, I'd suggest picking up a few art books. In this article, however, ...
Creativity and Broken Eggs
In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition. They offered the enormous prize of 200 gold florins to the architect whose genius could span the unfin...
|
Print this page