The first paragraph of the article serves as a summary: It's all too common for entrepreneurs to pour their heart and soul into perfecting their product or website, only to realize that without traffic, their efforts are in vain. No matter how exceptional your product or how visually appealing your website, you need visibility. Consistent, strategic marketing is the key to attracting potential customers to your business. This article outlines 11 effective internet marketing strategies to boost your online visibility.
Optimize your web pages and submit your site to major search engines. Ranking within the top 10 or 20 sites for a specific keyword can result in a steady influx of targeted traffic. For more information on SEO, visit Search Engine Watch.
Identify reputable sites within your market and propose a link exchange. Both you and your link partner can benefit from each other's traffic. Major search engines also consider 'link popularity' when determining your ranking. Cyber Robotics offers a tool called 'Zeus' that can assist with your linking efforts.
Creating your own newsletter allows you to establish credibility and maintain contact with your customers. You can also market your products or services and generate additional income from advertising sales. Build Your Home Biz offers a quick tutorial on starting your own newsletter.
Ezines offer an affordable way to reach thousands of targeted prospects for a minimal cost. Ezine Ad Auction is a great place to find advertising deals.
Join forums where potential customers or partners may gather. Contribute valuable insights and become a respected member. Include your link in your posts to encourage people to learn more about you and your business. ForumOne is a good place to find relevant forums.
Encourage your customers to refer others to you. Offering incentives such as discounts or quality free gifts can motivate them to do so.
Pay-per-click search engines allow you to pay for your ranking, a popular option for those who prefer not to deal with SEO. You place a bid per click, meaning you pay the bid amount each time someone clicks on your link. More information is available at Pay Per Click Search Engines.
Listing your site with popular, human-reviewed indexes like Yahoo! and Open Directory can significantly increase your targeted traffic.
Write about your area of expertise and offer your articles to other editors and webmasters in your market. Some sites run syndication networks, where your article may appear on numerous sites. Build Your Home Biz Directory is a good source for finding editors that accept articles.
Create a free eBook and distribute it to your visitors and other editors or webmasters within your market. Encourage them to pass it on. Free eBooks are an excellent viral marketing tool. Online Business Basics offers tips on creating, distributing, and profiting from free eBooks.
Partner with other editors or webmasters within your market to promote each other's businesses. Joint ventures can be one of the most profitable marketing methods.
The key to successful online marketing is consistency. Occasional articles or ads are not enough to generate the targeted traffic necessary for a steady online income. There are numerous ways to market your business, so start today! Commit to marketing your business and stick to it. After all, it would be a shame for a great product to go unnoticed.
Creating an Effective Pay-Per-Click Campaign
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