How do I attract my web visitors? Let me count the ways.
Do you know where your
site's visitors come from?
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How in the world wide web do most people find websites? It's a good question with some obvious, and not so obvious, answers:
Search Engines
The majority of visitors find most sites by using Google, Yahoo! or a small number* of the other most popular search engines and directories. But just as you wouldn't limit your brick-and-mortar store's advertising of its physical address to the yellow pages, you shouldn't pin all of your web promotion hopes on search engines.
Reciprocal Links
Spend a little time searching the Internet for companies that appeal to the same market as yours. Contact your vendors, suppliers, and product or service providers and find out if they have sites. When you find a site relevant to your audience, contact the webmaster and ask if you can add a link to their website from yours. Frequently you'll receive a return offer to link to your site from theirs. But don't stop there. Turn your attention to your competitors' sites and see what they are linked to. You may decide to contact these webmasters as well. It's important not to overlook this area, because search engines frequently rank sites according to how many sites are linked to them.
Website Directories
If you belong to a trade association, chamber of commerce, tourism bureau, or other organization, ask if their website has a member directory and ask how you can get your site included. Offer to add a link to their site. It's a common courtesy as well something that will help improve your site's search engine rankings.
Collateral Materials
Your organization's name probably goes on all of your printed material. Don't forget to include your "URL" (website address). Your URL is a vital part of your corporate identity and should be included in any promotional effort. Any form, label, or other printed material you develop should include your URL. Purchase a rubber stamp with your URL on it, and begin stamping everything that's appropriate.
These are but a few ways to promote your website. When we consult with you on your web design project, we'll come up with even more.
* According to Alexa.com, the top eight search engines process more than 92% of all web searches.
URL: http://www.abcinternet.com/find.html
Copyright ©2005, ABC Internet.
Revised: April 12, 2005
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