promotion

[CrimsonTide9999]

What is the best way to promote a growing web site?

Also how do you get companies to post ads on your sites for money? (I need to move from geocities to my own domain!)

Thanx:D

[bellybytes]

Well, yes, I think your own host would be a great start! :) Free servers just don't get acknowledged the same any longer - those pop ups and banners are really annoying to many. I'm one of 'em! But I started with a free server myself, so I think they serve a great purpose, especially if you're learning all this stuff, or just using it for a hobby.

Anyway, you asked about getting advertising- good traffic stats, from what I've learned (and I'm always open to hearing what others say - please!), would be the first factor. Advertisers want to know their money is going to expose their ad to a LOT of people - not just a few hundred. I had someone contact me once regarding advertising on my site and when I said I had 150 to 200 unique visitors a day, he said, oh no, he was looking more for 10,000 to 100,000!!! I don't know what he would have paid for that, but I thought "Wow, do I have a long way to go!!!!" :( Lol..if I ever get there, which I highly doubt, I'd charge an arm and a leg, though! Sheeze! But I'm sure there are those that would be willing to pay a reasonable fee for a certain amount of exposure. A good google ranking can help a lot, too.

Just my two cents! I'd love to hear others thoughts.

[CrimsonTide9999]

Bellybytes.....

what exactly do you mean by a good google rating, and how would I obtain one?

[bellybytes]

what exactly do you mean by a good google rating, and how would I obtain one?

Well, the first thing I would do if I were you is download the google toolbar. To do that, go here:

http://www.google.com/intl/ms/options/toolbar.html

It's real easy and goes real fast - even on my slow 56K dialup! :) Once you have the toolbar, you'll see that you can view a sites page rank by simply hovering your mouse over the words "page rank". You can get more info from there, if you want. You'll get it when you see it - and google has lots of info on their site if you want to learn more about it.

then, submit your site to DMOZ and any and every other SE that you can find that accepts free submissions. A reciprocal links page is a good idea too - with sites relative to your own.

Here is the link to submit to DMOZ - (forgot first time, sorry!)

http://dmoz.org/

but give it time, you won't see a rating right away. I submitted a site about two months ago that is finally just showing up with a 3 ranking - don't despair, if you have a good site, with good info etc., and link exchanges, it will go up! My brand new site is still at zero! :( Just like so many other things worthwhile, you have to be patient and give it time!

[..::Bro::..]

The last post from "Belly Bites" was absolutely correct.

You need "proof of purchase" as I call it...

"PROOF" enough that your site will add value & provide
good stats before anyone will "PURCHASE" advertising on
your site.

1st. You'll want to determine, who will benefit from being
advertised on your site. (if you already know then great).

2nd. You will have to prove to your advertisers that you will
do what you say your site will do for them and also make it
happen...

HOW DO I DO THAT? ...

If you haven't already started promoting your site for your
own product or service, it would be good to start!

KNOWLEDGE...
A great service to offer people when they come to your site
is information or "tutorials" on your specific topic. Doing so
will help you 2 ways: 1) You will project more credibility &
2) People might add your site to their favorites and come
back to read more...

NEWSLETTERS...
Another way of doing this affective strategy is to have your
own personal "newsletter" providing your viewers with know-
ledge! Newsletters are a great way to attract advertisers...
(providing that you have usefull information)

Here's a great trick to use when asking them to sign-up for
your newsletter, DON"T STOP THERE! Ask them more questions.

Ex. My company will soon provide a FREE Local Advertising
Directory for Entrepreneurs like yourself. In order for a
company to list their business, they need to fill out my online
questionaire.

^^^ Now in your case, you can simply ask them, would you
ever consider advertising on my site? If so, why? If not, why?
^^^ FREE RESEARCH for you and your enterprize!

That's one example to increase your traffic!

HOW DO I GET MORE SUBCRIBERS?

Post it everywhere you can that is related to your business!

Ex. If you were in the "Web Design" industry, I'm sure there
would be a great deal of entrepreneurs who would appreciate
more "Tutorials" on better designing a site! So, I would post
a few "TEASERS" and let them know how they can get more
information on your site's newsletter content.

Well... I've just given you one great idea to driving more
traffic to your site... try and come up with some on your own,
don't be afraid to be creative....

Once you've got 5,000 subscribers... come talk to me ;)

Cheers Bud

..:: Bro ::..