Wouldn't it be nice if we designed our websites and - just like magic - orders started flooding in? Sadly, it doesn't happen like that. Just like a real storefront, if you don't advertise your customers won't know where to find you. The good news is that with a little effort you can do it on your own without a huge advertising budget. Read on for tips you can use to help you promote your site.
You've picked your domain name, found a graphics designer to make your webset, and spent weeks setting up your store. Your site is finally ready and filled with all kinds of great product. How are customers going to find you? You are going to have to give them a little bit of help to find you online. Here are a few things you can do to help your online store succeed...
1. Submit Your Site
The first thing you will need to do is get your site submitted to the search engines. These are the big guys that customers use to find things on the web. I'm sure you've heard of Google? Customers can't find you if you are not listed in the biggest search engines. The top three are widely considered to be Google, Yahoo and MSN. These three all provide info for all the rest of the smaller engines.
2. Find Unique Keywords
Are you selling a really unique product? Chances are you will probably end up near the top of any search without too much extra effort. However, if you have a business that sells a popular item you will need to work a little harder to stand out from the web crowd. Try doing a search for "handpainted floorcloths" on google and you will find 38,900 entries. Now try doing a search for "handmade quilts" you have 1,590,000 entries to compete with.
3. Optimize Your Site
There are little things you can do to manipulate your site to gain top ranking in a search. There are some really great FREE programs you can use to help you figure out ways to optimize your site or you can pay someone to do it for you. Just be wary of someone who guarantees you top rankings.
4. Link Exchanges
Think of link exchanges like you and another business agreeing to promote each other's businesses. A customer visits Suzy's Flowers and while there sees an in store advertisement for Daisy's Chocolates. These two businesses are providing their customers a great referral service and themselves some free advertising by agreeing to work together. Google recognizes sites for their efforts in promoting other sites but only if you do it properly. Don't link to anybody and everybody who wants to link to you. Remember it's all about quality not quantity with Google.
5. Directories
Get your store listed wherever you can. Do searches for directories related to your product. What about your local municipal website? They sometimes provide free listings on their sites for local businesses. Get creative - think like a customer - where are they going to look for your product?
6. Forums
Learn from other businesses, connect with other mom's, whatever the reason join a forum. It's a great way to network, promote and receive support. The bonus? Free advertising if you add a text link to your signature.
There are a lot of things you can do to increase your online presence and help your customers find your store. Promoting your site on the internet can be done easily using the service of a reliable SEO company like Craft Site Medic or with a little perservance and a lot of time you can learn the basics of site optimization and help your little space on the web find it's way to the top of the pile.
Good luck with your business!
Copyright © 2006 Craftisan aka Kim is the owner-designer of Craftisan Graphics ~ providing affordable, professional and unique web and print media for small business.
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