Seven ways to promote your website

You've got your website up and running and it's just what you wanted. Now the question is; how to get people to visit it? There's a lot you can do to get visitors to your website other than using the usual search engine optimisation techniques like metatags and subject words in your website pages. These 'other' ways are mostly little things, but collectively they can add up to a substantial increase in traffic and give you more of what you want - customers for your business.

Put the website address on all stationery materials

Do a comprehensive search of everything you've got in the way of stationery that could carry your URL. A partial list of typical business stationery would include:
- business cards
- brochures
- letterheads
- sales literature
- 'with compliments' slips
- fax cover sheet
- envelopes
- order forms
- invoices
- e-mail signatures
- media releases
- packaging
Deals on wheels - and elsewhere

Every vehicle in your company is a mobile billboard. Put your business name and web address on magnetic signs or vinyl stickers and put them on your cars, vans and trucks. This not only promotes the website, it conveys an impression of the business being technologically up-to-date. Work clothes are a natural place to put a web address. That can extend to safety items like protective helmets, to work items like toolboxes, and large pieces of equipment such as compressors and bulldozers, and to casual clothes like T-shirts and baseball caps.
Don't forget your website address when listing in directories

It's amazing just how many advertisements in the Yellow Pages or newspapers don't show a web address. Many people, perhaps you do it yourself even, first find a company's ad that appeals to them, then want to check their website to get more information before making contact. Advertisements in newspapers, magazines, on billboards and on TV can easily carry your Web address. Take every opportunity to get it in front of the world, especially when you're paying for the privilege of advertising your other contact information already.
Leverage the value of business contacts by exchanging links

Look for the sites of businesses that are complementary to yours, or who you deal with, and contact them about adding a link to your business from their site. Naturally you would agree to reciprocate if asked. If you make hot dogs find someone who makes hot dog buns and help each other build business.
Newsgroups offer a marketing channel

If you haven't already heard about newsgroups you've missed out on one of the internet's major sources of information. There are thousands of newsgroups on just about every subject imaginable. These newsgroups are great sources of knowledge about using some of the more complex features of programmes as well as fixes for common problems. Do a search for newsgroups related to your own business and when you find an opportunity to join the discussion, by providing advice on your area of business activity for example, make your contribution and put your web address in the e-mail signature.
Answering the call

Most businesses have an answering machine with a message that can easily carry the web address as part of the script. Your voicemail on both the business landline and cell phone can also incorporate your Web address. "This is XYZ Industries. We're sorry we can't take your call right now but please leave a message after the tone. You can also visit us on www.xyz.com."
Promote yourself to promote your site

The internet is a very hungry medium. It's a huge consumer of information as well as being the greatest knowledge resource we've ever had. This gives budding authors a chance to be read around the world; without spending a cent on the costs of ink and paper. It also gives experts on any subject a forum to share their expertise with others.

For more information contact your RAN ONE business professionals at
Academy of Business Excellence Limited