If you build it, they will come. “NOT! It takes more than building a site to attract guests who will eventually become customers,” according to Marty Crouch, an Internet Presence Provider.
Invite visitors.
This is the first step, Crouch says. What that means is you have to tell people you contact about your site. Write your URL (Internet address) on your business card, stationary, and e-mail signature file. Tell people verbally. Refer them to your site for useful information about you, your company, your products, your services, and your interests.
Provide something of value for your visitors.
Don’t just build an electronic billboard. Give them some useful and valuable information. Don’t ask them to send you $19.95 for information. Yes, GIVE it away for free. Setting your sites on a continuing customer relationship rather than a quick sale will boost sales in the long.
Develop a broadcast center.
Supplement your Web site with an e-mail and fax broadcast center. Broadcast valuable information, not hype. Lead your readers to visit your site with an occasional mention of Web site content in your broadcast.
Negotiate reciprocal links.
Look for established and heavily visited sites that may be willing to make reciprocal links with yours. Contact the site owners and ask them. Your chances may be better than you think if there is a natural connection with the other site.
Buy banner ads.
Pick a site that is heavily visited by people in your target market. Create and place a banner ad with one or more of these sites. Expensive, but possibly worth it to get your business hopping!
Mention your site in non-Web Internet places.
Contribute (in a positive way) to popular bulletin boards and news groups that relate to your target market. Casually mention your Web site in your comments. Contribute to virtual communities or sites.
Give your guests a reason to return.
Change the content of your site with new features and content. Provide a place for guests to sign up for the automatic notification when something on your site changes.
Get broadcast media attention.
Get your site mentioned in a national periodical or in the national broadcast media. Local exposure of your site may help too, as local media may be more willing to promote a successful local business.
