THE ABC's OF WEB SITE PROMOTION

What can you do to stimulate traffic to your web site? You can findthousands of articles on web site promotion on the internet, but I havesummarized a list of items to consider:>>>Submit Page to Search EnginesThe most important search engines that robotically "spider" or index yoursite are: AltaVista, Excite, HotBot, Lycos, Infoseek, WebCrawler, andNorthern Light.>>>Submit to YahooYahoo is the most important listing of all -- though it is technically adirectory, rather than a search engine. But be very careful, and followtheir instructions.>>>Submit Page to Other DirectoriesThese do not help much, except to increase the perceived "popularity" ofyour site by major search engines.>>>Include URL on Stationery, Cards, and LiteratureMake sure cards, stationary, brochures, and literature contain yourcompany's URL.>>>Promote using traditional mediaDo not discontinue print advertising you have found effective, but be sureto include your URL in the ads you purchase. Catch readers' attention withthe ad, and then refer them to a Web page where they can obtain moreinformation or perhaps place an order. Consider other traditional media todrive people to your site, such as direct mail, classifieds, post cards,etc.>>>Develop a Free ServiceThis can be very rewarding in increased traffic to your site. Make surethat your free service is closely related to what you are selling so thevisitors you attract will be good prospects for your business.>>>Request Reciprocal LinksFind complementary web sites and request a reciprocal link to your. Build aseparate page where you put links to other sites so that you do not sendpeople out the back door as fast as you bring them in the front door.>>>Request Links from Business Link SitesEspecially if you offer a free service, you can request links from many ofthe small business linking pages on the Web. E-mail the site owner orwebmaster with your site name, URL, and a brief 200-word description of whatyou offer there.>>>Publish an E-Mail NewsletterIt is a big commitment publishing a newsletter, but it is one of the bestways to keep in touch with your prospects and build future business.>>>Install a "Signature" in your E-Mail ProgramMost e-mail programs allow you to designate a "signature" to appear at theend of each message you send. Limit it to 6 to 8 lines: Company name,address, phone number, URL, e-mail address, and a one-phrase description ofyour unique business offerings. Look for examples on e-mail messages sent toyou.>>>Announce a ContestPeople like getting something free. If you publicize a contest or drawingavailable on your site, you'll generate more traffic than normal.>>>Join a Banner Exchange ProgramOf the many banner exchange programs, LinkExchange is the biggest. Youagree to show a rotating banner on your site for other LinkExchange members,and they do the same for you.>>>Purchase Banner AdsYou may need to spend money to boost traffic by purchasing banneradvertising. Choose sites that seem to attract the type of people who wouldbe good prospects for your business or product. You can find media brokerswho can help you find appropriate and cost-effective places to advertise.>>>Buy a Text Ad in an E-Mail NewsletterSome of the best advertising buys are for small 4 to 12 line ads inestablished e-mail newsletters. Ads can both inform and motivate readers toclick on the URL, and tend to bring much more targeted visitors.>>>Ask Visitors to Bookmark Your SiteIt seems so simple, but make sure you ask visitors to bookmark your site.I certainly haven't depleted all the ways to promote your site, but thesewill get you started. To effectively market your site you need to spendsome time adapting these strategies to your own market and BE CONSISTENT.Good luck to you!