Promotion and traffic

dmrcmb · #1 (**permalink**) 05-01-2004, 11:47 PM

Hi

I've had my web site http://www.growingmatters.co.uk online since the beginning of 2004. I've used a few promotional stratagies so far. I've submitted to various search engines and tried link swapping with other sites but still having difficulty getting visitors.
There's a forum on the site but I've had no posts as yet. I was hoping people would use it to comment, ask advice or exchange ideas.

Having looked at similar sites they seem to be getting at least 100 visitors a day. I'm thinking 'how do they do it?'

I was hoping to be able to set up an online store sometime in the future but looking at the traffic I'm currently getting this looks like it could be a very difficult task.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I could improve the situation?

jomariet · #2 (**permalink**) 05-02-2004, 12:34 AM

Well written gardening articles always have an audience. Try submiting some of your articles to other gardening websites in return for a short bio/link. Not only will you build your incoming links but you will get direct traffic from the articles you write.

Especially target master gardening sites around the world. Spend some time each week on gardening forums using your URL in your signature.

Unfortunately you are in web limbo. you can't afford to spend money on advertising since you aren't making money but you won't make money unless you spend. I recommend spending time and effort at this point. You may want to start a space on the website where you can feature other gardening sites and let that website owner know they are being featured - greenhouses and nurserys would be a good target. If you come up with a little icon or graphic button "Featured on..." That they can display with a link back to your site, these other sites may be happy to post the icon and link to you...

Just some thoughts...

Jeff Colburn · #3 (**permalink**) 05-04-2004, 06:40 AM

Hi,

Find an active chat room about gardening and post there often. Be sure to include a good signature that has your website address.

I have a website for writers, photographers, artists and website design. When I started posting on a writer's forum ( http://www.writersweekly.com ) the hits on my site doubled. I make regular posts and the hits have stayed up there.

I also write articles that I put on my site and on free article sites. It gets me a lot of free PR.

Have Fun,
Jeff