Never use automated services to submit your site to the search engines. There are less than 20 major search engines ' all the rest don't matter. This makes the services that advertise, 'pay to be submitted to 30,000 search engines' a big waste of money. Instead take the time to learn how each search engine prefers to receive listings and then do the work yourself. To learn more about the search engines check out the Bruce Clay Search Engine Relationship Chart (http://www.bruceclay.com/searchenginerelationshipchart.htm).
Make custom Error pages. If potential customers are looking for a page on your site that has moved, or that they've mistyped the URL for, they'll be frustrated and quickly leave if they encounter an Error page. Avoid this by creating custom Error pages that explain that the URL is invalid and gives them links to explore other areas of your site. For instructions on creating a custom error page read the article 'Creating Custom Error Pages' at http://www.outfront.net/tutorials_02/adv_tech/customerrors1.htm.
Create a topic specific dictionary or glossary. This is the type of content that people refer to on a regular basis and that other webmasters are likely to link to as a reference. Get even more leverage from this idea by allowing other sites in your industry to syndicate your dictionary or glossary. This can also be a great way to learn the specific words people are interested in learning more about so that you can better optimize your site and create specific content that will interest them. Get ideas by browsing other dictionaries at http://directory.google.com/Top/Reference/Dictionaries/.
Find out where your competitors' traffic comes from. Google has a handy feature that quickly shows which sites are linked together. To use it go to Google and type in 'link:www.domainname.com' (without the quotes). Using this feature you can find out who is linking to your competitors and approach them about a link exchange, joint venture or publishing one of your articles. Another great resource for finding out who has linked to a specific website, check out the Marketleap Link Popularity Check at http://www.marketleap.com/publinkpop/.
Try free newsletter classified ads. There are lots of newsletter publishers who give free classified ads to new subscribers. Although these don't typically bring a huge response, they can generate some traffic if you offer something for free. They're also a great way to test new ads to see which ones get the best response. Once you've found a winner use it in a PPC campaign, make it your new email signature, run it as a top sponsor newsletter ad or use it as your forum signature.
Offer customers a customized toolbar. You've most likely seen the toolbars offered by Google, Yahoo and other large sites that stay at the top of your browser window for quick reference. The intention of these toolbars is to keep their brand in front of their customers so they remember them when they need to use their services. Now you can have the same effect by offering your customers a toolbar that is customized for your site. Use it to give people a reference list of your sites and related ones, offer them a multi-part course and even to distribute your newsletter. You could easily add your newsletter to your own customized toolbar along with other useful information. Remember, your toolbar has to provide value to potential customers or they won't download it.
Learn what viral marketing techniques others are using and apply their ideas to your business. Some of the most successful advertising campaigns are the ones that were proven successful in one industry and then applied to another. A few great sources of viral techniques that are working are ViralBank.com, ViralMeister.com and the Lycos Viral Chart.
Make custom Error pages. If potential customers are looking for a page on your site that has moved, or that they've mistyped the URL for, they'll be frustrated and quickly leave if they encounter an Error page. Avoid this by creating custom Error pages that explain that the URL is invalid and gives them links to explore other areas of your site. For instructions on creating a custom error page read the article 'Creating Custom Error Pages' at http://www.outfront.net/tutorials_02/adv_tech/customerrors1.htm.
Create a topic specific dictionary or glossary. This is the type of content that people refer to on a regular basis and that other webmasters are likely to link to as a reference. Get even more leverage from this idea by allowing other sites in your industry to syndicate your dictionary or glossary. This can also be a great way to learn the specific words people are interested in learning more about so that you can better optimize your site and create specific content that will interest them. Get ideas by browsing other dictionaries at http://directory.google.com/Top/Reference/Dictionaries/.
Find out where your competitors' traffic comes from. Google has a handy feature that quickly shows which sites are linked together. To use it go to Google and type in 'link:www.domainname.com' (without the quotes). Using this feature you can find out who is linking to your competitors and approach them about a link exchange, joint venture or publishing one of your articles. Another great resource for finding out who has linked to a specific website, check out the Marketleap Link Popularity Check at http://www.marketleap.com/publinkpop/.
Try free newsletter classified ads. There are lots of newsletter publishers who give free classified ads to new subscribers. Although these don't typically bring a huge response, they can generate some traffic if you offer something for free. They're also a great way to test new ads to see which ones get the best response. Once you've found a winner use it in a PPC campaign, make it your new email signature, run it as a top sponsor newsletter ad or use it as your forum signature.
Offer customers a customized toolbar. You've most likely seen the toolbars offered by Google, Yahoo and other large sites that stay at the top of your browser window for quick reference. The intention of these toolbars is to keep their brand in front of their customers so they remember them when they need to use their services. Now you can have the same effect by offering your customers a toolbar that is customized for your site. Use it to give people a reference list of your sites and related ones, offer them a multi-part course and even to distribute your newsletter. You could easily add your newsletter to your own customized toolbar along with other useful information. Remember, your toolbar has to provide value to potential customers or they won't download it.
Learn what viral marketing techniques others are using and apply their ideas to your business. Some of the most successful advertising campaigns are the ones that were proven successful in one industry and then applied to another. A few great sources of viral techniques that are working are ViralBank.com, ViralMeister.com and the Lycos Viral Chart.
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