A question for people in business?

Question

Do you thing my website is an effective marketing tool? What are some ways that I could get it out there more? Anybody have any pointers? Thanks, much appreciated, I'm new at owning my own biz and would love some advice from other entrepenuers www.deliveringonthepromise.com/burke

Answer 1

Yes, a website is an effective marketing tool.

More and more people are using the Web to search for information and to search for products and services they want. A business needs to be where their customers are -- and since most customers are online, then you need to have an online presence as well.

If you have a traditional store, you can opt to expand your sales channel by selling on the Web as well.

Or you can use the Web as your brochure where you provide information about your business, telling visitors of your products or services, letting them know how to purchase from you, or contact you. You can use your website to refer people you meet if they want more information about your business.

If the Ameriplan site is your website, you may want to advertise in places where those looking for business opportunities congregate (though I never could understand why Ameriplan thinks a visitor will actually remember the "last portion of the web address as advertised")

Note however that the saying "If you build it, they will come" is not necessarily true on the Web. Putting a website up is one thing, but getting visitors to come to your site is another. The process becomes even more difficult if you have limited resources to market your business.

Here are some shoestring marketing ideas that can help you get the visitors you need at the least cost possible:

1. Create the best content you can with the best products you can possibly offer. Your content is your best advertisement - if visitors love your content, then they will go back and spread the word to others.

2. Make it easy for users to recommend your site. Viral marketing is very important -- and easy to tap on the Web. But give your users the tools. Get a Recommend this Site script from websites such as cgiscripts.com and similar directories of scripts. Some even go as far as giving incentives to those who recommend the site to their friends. If only 10 people go to your site, but these 10 people invite 10 more - that's additional traffic that you get for FREE!

Recommend Site Scripts (various) http://php.resourceindex.com/Complete_Scripts/Website_Promotion/Recommend_Site/
Big Nose Bird Recommend this Site http://bignosebird.com/carchive/birdcast.shtml
CGI Resource Index http://cgi.resourceindex.com/Programs_and_Scripts/Perl/Website_Promotion/Recommend_Site/
Hostscripts http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Scripts_and_Programs/Site_Recommendation/index.html

3. Rank well in the search engines (organic search results, not the pay per click). SEs can be a big source of traffic. The key is to create the best content in your niche. If you have good content, other websites will gladly link to you and offer your site as a resource to their audience. Check the on-page factors and be sure to get linked from authority sites in your topic area.

If you are going to read only one piece on search engine optimization, I suggest you read Brett Tabke of WebmasterWorld.com's "Successful Site in 12 Months with Google Alone: 26 steps to 15k a day." http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum3/2010.htm

SEO for Google http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/google.htm
SEO for Yahoo! http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/yahoo.htm
SEO for MSN http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/msn.htm
Tying It Together: SEO For The Big Three http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/seo.htm

4. Send out press releases. While outfits charge as much as $650 per release, there are free press release submission places on the Web. Press releases allow you to (a) attract media attention; (b) get more back links to your website without sending each website an email request; and (c) get more visibility especially if your press release gets in Google News or Yahoo News. My website (see my profile) accepts free press release submission (no strings attached!)

5. Submit articles. Write articles and submit them to websites accepting author submissions. You get exposure for your business; establishes you as an authority in your field, and allows you to get backlinks for your website. If 50 websites publish your article and it contains a link back to your website, then you easily get 50 links from a single article. The more links you have, the greater your chances for increasing your search engine rankings.

Here is a comprehensive list of where to submit your articles http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AhzreGmnCUicOoyedqypscUjzKIX?qid=1006022407481

6. Improve your conversion. Getting visitors is one thing; getting them to buy your products is a whole different story. Read the article "10 Ways to Convert Visitors to Buyers" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/072005/conversion.htm for tips on how to improve your conversion rates.

7. Post a link to your site for free where it is allowed (always read the Terms of Use). Examples are:

Craigslist http://www.craigslist.com
Google Base http://base.google.com
Classifieds for Free http://www.classifiedsforfree.com/...
Text Link Exchange http://www.txtswap.com/
Recycler.com http://www.recycler.com/
Yahoo Classifieds http://classifieds.yahoo.com/
US Free Ads http://www.usfreeads.com/

Answer 2

I'm in the business of telling people where their money went. It never is anyone's business I don't think. I have to look at people's personal personal things all the time and not bat an eye. Simply put, that's none of my business either.

Answer 3

I believe that website is an effective marketing tool. There is one company in Ca, USA providing website and domain globally, check this out:

General Information:
COMPANY NAME: Global Domains International Inc
LOCATION: CA, USA
CORPORATE INFORMATION : Login here: http://www.freedom.ws (YOUR ACCESS CODE IS: powercontrol)
Other link: http://www.website.ws/powercontrol

Answer 4

There's no attempt at organic design so you won't see any SE traffic. Your specific web address appears truncated and we may not be seeing what you think we are.