Free ways to promote online

[janeth]

Everyone is always looking for free ways to advertise online I started a list please add to it.

1. Banner Ads.
From my experience you get very little in return other then a lot of ugly banners on your site.

2. I herd of people that swap ads with other companies in there signature in the email.
Every time I would send an email to someone there would be a small add in my email tag for your company and the same thing for my company when you sent out an email.

3. Writing Articles
Write articles for what ever type of business your in.

4. Ad Swapping
If you have a news letter you write for your business you can swap ads with other business that also write news letters.

5. Forms like this one.
Helps to get your business known

6. Message Boards
Have not tried them but I think they work about the same way

7. Free Courses
Write a couple articles and turn them into a mini course. Give step by step information on a subject.

8. Participate in Search Engine Discussion Threads

9. Search Engines

10. Free Books

11. Free Directories
Submit your site every week to a different directories

12. Link Exchanges

13. Auto Responders

14. Web Rings

15. Your own signature tag advertising your business at the end of every email you send out.

[Steven Glover]

Also you can spam yahoo chat ;p

[softwaresubmit]

You might offer a free, limited but yet still functional version of your service/software. It brings lots of traffic and attention.

[maniactive]

Writing and posting press releases at free pr sites can generate some traffic, but only if you have something newsworthy or new. If you don't, make some news by developing an online survey & posting results, holding a contest, celebrating your company anniversary with a giveaway or special event, or announcing a public speaking engagement.

And while public speaking isn't "online" advertising and harder to measure (the stats often show "bookmark" or "no referrer" spikes in traffic), public speaking or presenting usually tends to boost site traffic during the week of the speech/presentation. Local groups often look for luncheon speakers, convention speakers, etc. Do it for a low cost (or even free), with the stipulation that you can have a slide with your URL on it, or have someone read your short bio before you speak with your URL.

[janeth]

Yes I forgot about press releases that is a really good one.

[kplatt]

We have been successful in posting whitepapers on a few sites that actually let you do it without a fee.

Also, I found a few places related to computer software that allow you to submit your site to be considered for a site of the week. This one brought in a few hundred visitors to the site.

My company is a software development company. We recently released some code to the Open Source Community and complimented the code with press releases to sites and mags geared toward developers. This was extremely successful in generating traffic. We didn't get any sales, but hopefully when their IT dept is looking for a solution they'll remember our name and suggest our software.

Because we are a small business, I have also found that it is crucial to have as many people as possible participate in forums and message boards, not just the marketing department. Everyone plays a part in marketing.

[griffkim]

Word of mouth seems to be my best source of free advertising. Everytime someone purchases my book, ONE PAYCHECK AT A TIME, I send a personal email thanking them for their purchase. I ask them to please reply to me asking how they heard about the book so that I know what advertising is working. Unlike most books about becoming debt free, I let the readers know that I'm available for any personal questions that the book doesn't answer. 90% of all new customers have responded favorably to this personalized approach.

To my surprise, most new buyers have heard about the book from a newsgroup, a web forum, or a personal book review. I can't buy this type of advertising even if I wanted.

I've posted testimonials on my site that customers have been kind enough to send me. My next functionality update includes a "tell a friend" feature.

It has been a slow process to build buzz about the book, but the positive impact I'm having on people and their financial situations is so encouraging to me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the press releases, complimentary books sent out to professional reviewers, and the articles I've sent to some ezines will create some momentum.

Although I'm marketing this book on a shoestring, I am open to spending money on advertising that shows a significant heartbeat. Until then, your free advertising tips are greatly appreciated!

I wish you well on your debt free journey.

Kim Griffiths
www.onepaycheckatatime.com

[voodooboy]

I am surprised no one has mentioned Viral Marketing. It is the most fun of all marketing campaigns. A funny comic strip or animated online game (that is original; not some free .cgi script you can pull from a coding site). Or better yet, a holiday e-card. Static or animated, if you can catch their attention, the viewer spreads it around to their friends, and on to their friends friends and so on. Little to no effort is required once you send it out to your current opt-in or client list and you can just watch the hits come in. It is also a good traveling portfolio for us designers.

Try it, you'll like it. (Really)

[MekhongKurt]

PR *can* include letters to the editor of publications, in some cases. I am Vice-President of a nonprofit foundation here in Thailand and have had some luck with this method of publicizing our association.

Also, if your business has activities, you may be able to get those listed for free in your local newspaper, publicizing your organization in the process.

A potentially inexpensive, if not free, way of receiving publicity is to sponsor a charitable activity. This can be *very* cost-effective, more so in some cases even than a major advertising campaign.

[anuj_pandit1]

Hello Friends,
I kept eyes of Web Marketing from last one year, Its not prob. to get traffic at your Website but the prob is that Right Segmant Visitors that will give us order....

I hope these points will help to promote Website Business..

1. Website will be designed according to the design algorithm.
2. Keyword analyzing will be according to the word tracking technology used by the major search engines keeping in view the visitors and client preferences.
3. Content will be designed according to the keyword algorithms because 30% of website ranking depend on the content.
4. Search engine submission
1. International search engines.
2. National search engines.
3. Sector wise search engines.


5. Directory submission
1. International Directories
2. Regional Directories
3. Local Directories
4. Sector Directories
6. Industrial Promotion - It will depend on the product.
7. Submission in keyword related magazines.
8. Article submission according to the product or service.
9. Use of press releasing software to promote your product or service globally.
10. We will use the Algorithm of ROI.
11. Use of FFA.
12. We will exchange your website link in same sector
13. We will exchange your banner in same sector.
14. Submission in city web cannels.
15. We will promote your website using clock way pages.
16. We will use the user tracking technology so we can track the user from proper sector.
17. E-mail marketing according to the sector database.
18. We will use the viral marketing.
19. We will analyze the website of the top leaders of your sector to know what strategies they are following and from which sector they are getting maximum visitors.
20. We will do the logo marketing to promote your company image in peoples mind.
21. We will do the B2B and B2C.
22. Special event marketing.
23. Newsletter marketing.
24. We will register your website at some payment portals to track visitors.
25. Contests will be organized time to time.
26. Free consultancy about the product.
27. We will do the social marketing for your product.
28. Affiliate marketing.
29. Free media marketing.


Regards
Alok Kumar Upadhyay

[Biffy]

Did anyone mention blogs?

I have just started a blog for my site where I'm trying to include useful tips/news related to web development which is related to my site (www.code-front.net). I've already had some traffic to my site from the blog. Just make it of interest/use to the reader.

I'm also gathering/writing articles which I believe is one of the biggest draws.

[jimmack]

Hello my name is James Mackinlay owner of JRM Website Marketing my traffic has increased over
600%! in the past 2 months using my tactics
and all are free.

Remember it is still the simple things that
produce results to see what I am talking about
visit my last newsletter all free no cost.

I think you will it is very unique the fact is
I dont think there is another one like it on
the internet this might be why my subscriptions
which is free has exploded to over 4500.

In just 120 days! give or take.

I think this newsletter will help you in a
lot of ways judge for yourself.
http://www.jrm-internet-marketing.com/news10.html

James Mackinlay
JRM Website Marketing

[apisdesign]

The post just before this one is another way to garnish traffic for your site. Put in a cryptic ad thinly disguised as an offer for help.

;-)


(sometimes I'm just so cynical...)

[jimmack]

I am no way at all trying to garnish traffic from anyone rather than write a complete article on the subject here at this site.

I would rather have someone look at the newsletter that has been already written out on the exact same subject they inquired about.

I dont try to sell anything to anyone with these newsletters look at most of the newsletters out there and compare you will see for yourself.

If it would make everyone happy I will be happy to send at least 50 links on how to get traffic to your website and not 1 of them has anything to do with my site AT ALL.

Send me a email this way I will not get any traffic numbers from anyone jrm-marketing@earthlink.net I will be happy to help anyone needing more traffic FREE without needing to join anything.

James Mackinlay

[gohitech]

Eversince I have been reselling online stores from Yahoo, eBay, and Froogle(Google's free stores) my clients have been getting better web rankings and get more targeted hits.

For a small costs, I think it is well worth it (depending on the type of products your selling) to open an online store with the search engines.


peace

[writergrrrl48]

I'm VERY newly learning about SEO and how to get my sites up in their rankings; those of you who are experienced, can you tell me this..

what validity is there to the idea proposed in one of the earlier posts' newsletter (yep, I went to the link to see what was there) that your site ranking can be affected by "hiding" some html code for the search engine spiders to see?

There are so many "tricks" that I've been reading about and I'm curious how many of these actually work and how many of these are just wishful thinking?

Thanks for your comments. I read a lot of the posts here and you gave me some terrific ideas to follow up on.

Cheri

[writergrrrl48]

I'm VERY newly learning about SEO and how to get my sites up in their rankings; those of you who are experienced, can you tell me this..

what validity is there to the idea proposed in one of the earlier posts' newsletter (yep, I went to the link to see what was there) that your site ranking can be affected by "hiding" some html code for the search engine spiders to see?

There are so many "tricks" that I've been reading about and I'm curious how many of these actually work and how many of these are just wishful thinking?

Thanks for your comments. I read a lot of the posts here and you gave me some terrific ideas to follow up on.

Cheri

[jackson992]

Personally I think any form of hidden text is spamming

[janeth]

Everything you do when you build your site should be for the benfit of your customer. As long as you do that you have nothing to worry about.

[rashugh]

messages boards are cool like this one
and check on the links below

[minstrel]

Originally Posted by writergrrrl48

what validity is there to the idea proposed in one of the earlier posts' newsletter (yep, I went to the link to see what was there) that your site ranking can be affected by "hiding" some html code for the search engine spiders to see?

Don't do it. The major search engines have been on to that sort of trick for a long time. It won't help and it will probably get you penalized / demoted / banned.

There are so many "tricks" that I've been reading about and I'm curious how many of these actually work and how many of these are just wishful thinking?

That depends on what you mean by "tricks" but most of the things I would categorize as "tricks" rather than common sense and honesty will probably backfire.

Think of it this way - any "trick" you read about has probably been thought up by someone who is trying to find a way to make his/her site appear to be something it's not - more popular, perhaps - more important - or a different type of site entirely (a technique the porn sites use in hopes of drawing someone to the site who might then get excited and actually buy something). The other side of the question is this: As soon as the search engines discover that you are using some "trick" to try to fool them, they (1) add that trick to the list of things that will get you or anyone else banned; and (2) drop you from their database.

So again - focus on good content, appealing site design, and honest site submission. It may take you longer to get to where you want to be but at least you have a better chance of getting there and staying there.

[vetmedix]

Hello Everybody:

After trying many ways, I found a very easy way to promote my site: writing in Guestbooks! It sounds like stupid but it really increased the number of visits to my site. Try it. It won´t take you any time. By the way, please feel free to visit my sites! :) Cheers!

Roberto Chau

http://www.vetmedix.com
http://www.books-nthings.com

[chadm]

One thing that has worked for me was to add my site to a few key directories: ie yahoo and gimpsy. They have added a nice amount of traffic to my site.

[DarrenC]

Guestbooks, and FFA, are all ways of not to promote your website.

[red]

"Everything you do when you build your site should be for the benfit of your customer. As long as you do that you have nothing to worry about."

I agree with what Janeth says and have always put the customer first in mind when making changes to the site, adding products etc.

I have had a pretty big scare over the last 2 weeks. My site is 4 years old and has been very solid financially. Our market is a very niche market. Traffic has dropped off some - we generally get about 1000 unique visitors per day and we're at about 800 now. Our conversion rate has been at about 1.5 per 100 visitors (could be better)
I believe the site is fairly well optimized...again, could be better. We have decent natural rankings for 30 different KW phrases in most engines and Yahoo.
We participate in all of the major PPC PPI PPO networks - Adwords, Overture and Sitematch, Shopping.com, Amazon, eBay Stores, Looksmart etc.
We exchange links ONLY with sites that compliment our own business and don't put links up haphazardly.

All that being said - business has been dismal over the past 2 weeks and I can't figure out why.

I know no one has a crystal ball but some feedback would sure help right now. I'm spinning my wheels trying to figure this out. Admittedly I am a bit worried.
***I am looking for more ideas how to convert visitors into buyers. Let's hear some ideas fro the WPW pros out there!
Thanks!

[dmrcmb]

I've been experimenting with a few free promotional ideas and the best I've found lately was posting on a message board. I didn't get much traffic at first, but discovered that I received more when I posted about my site in particular.

I've tried link exchanges, submitting to directories and search engines but they have produced very little traffic.

[Duilen]

You can also use PPCs and safelists to promote your site for free.

PPCs normally cost per click but a good portion of these sites offer free advertising dollars just for signing up. Just try "free ppc directory" or something like that in google. This is a little time consuming but if you are running dry on ideas its not a bad use of time.

I am really surprised nobody has mentioned safelists yet. These are basically sites where everyone agrees to receive emails from the other members. You will be able to send an email to all members about once per day. If you stay away from the large spam pools and focus on the smaller more targeted ones you should do alright.

[benkhoo]

For effective use of safelist, paid ones are more reliable than those offered for free.

[mizambar]

Red-

I don't know if this would be an answer to your question...but, I have seen about 200 less visitors each day for the past couple of weeks. I think it might be the start of the summer time and the warm weather...people are leaving school and families are starting to plan for vacations.

Other then that theory, I am not sure why you are seeing a drop off...

[Better_Bargains]

It possible that someone can maliciously engage in practices that penalize your site.Or it could just be that search engage have changed their ranking strategy! I found that seoradio.com has a lot of helpful tips! Software such as Web Position can give you an assessment of your linking strategy.If youhighered SEO experts you may need to investigate if they engaged in Black hat techniques such as cloaking![/url]

[Gary Golden]

Occassionally I post on Forums, Occassionally I pursue link exchange. Most of my time is spent adapting keywords for higher ranking on search engines, higher rankings transform into more customers.

There is no better way to increase your customer base than working your site.

Don't spam sites or chat rooms as it only hurts your business.

The main thing is have fun, if you don't enjoy what you are doing then you are never going to give 100% and in business when you don't give 100% you may end up being one of the statistics.

Good Luck All!

[101homebiz]

can be deleted, was posted twice.

[101homebiz]

Regarding Safelists, Traffic Exchanges and free Ads,
I have written some words about that in:

http://www.101homebiz.com/free_advertising.htm

According to some "gurus", Article writing and Link Exchanges works very well. However the trend in SEO seems to focus more on "non" reciprocal links, since Search Engines are getting smarter.


One nice aspect of Article writing is the fact that you get a lot of non-reciprocal links from related websites. The traffic is targeted since people are obviously interested on the topic you have written.

Furthermore it is "viral", since Articles start spreading out in the web and appears in places I would never imagined.

I know internet marketers that build their businesses exclusively with the techniques mentioned above with great success.

Alex

[101homebiz]

Regarding Safelists, Traffic Exchanges and free Ads,
I have written some words about that in:

http://www.101homebiz.com/free_advertising.htm

According to some "gurus", Article writing and Link Exchanges works very well. However the trend in SEO seems to focus more on "non" reciprocal links, since Search Engines are getting smarter.


One nice aspect of Article writing is the fact that you get a lot of non-reciprocal links from related websites. The traffic is targeted since people are obviously interested on the topic you have written.

Furthermore it is "viral", since Articles start spreading out in the web and appears in places I would never imagined.

I know internet marketers that build their businesses exclusively with the techniques mentioned above with great success.

Alex

[C3PO]

Red: Maybe its becouse your site is blocked by SurfControl!!!? And therefore possibly other similar.

[ECommerceConversions]

You can use the TellAFriend type links. We do that and someone uses that button about once a week

[activeco]

Originally Posted by jimmack

I would rather have someone look at the newsletter that has been already written out on the exact same subject they inquired about.

This is from the faq at your site:
"We have been in contact with the top search engines and got their blessing on this system (Google being just one)."

Let me remind you that Google may not have anything against the system, but much against many sites participating in it.
Without a very strong policy of type of websites in the system, Google SERPS will be dissapointing for the most.
According to Google, it is "who you are linking to" policy which valuate your links.

Sure, it does not mean you cannot have traffic from the participating sites alone.

[corporatenarc]

I am new to the affiliate world and am also interested in marketing stragies.
I am quite suspcious of link exchanges..do they harm your ranking?
http://www.corporatenarc.com

[Jeff Colburn]

Hi,

I started making daily comments at a writers forum (http://www.writersweekly.com) and the hits on my site doubled in 2-3 weeks and have stayed up.

Then I started posting here and writing articles for my newsletter and free article sites and my hits jumped again.

Have Fun,
Jeff