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Okay, you've built your new online store, and now all you need is a
large crowd of customers. But you face a major problem: without
customers, you can't afford advertising - but without advertising, you
can't attract customers.
The solution is to use effective shoestring marketing methods to begin
building a customer base. Once you have a steady revenue stream, you can
bulk up your marketing. But, for now, you're looking to do it on the
cheap.
Marketing on the Internet revolves around search engines, e-mail
campaigns, and affiliate programs; all three of which require investment
for maximum return — sometimes a hefty investment.
We'll look at each of these. But before we do, let's face it: we're
cash-strapped. Are there any marketing methods that are free, or almost
free?
The Real Freebies
Mention your site in online forums Find an online forum that relates
to your business — there are dozens of them, no matter what you sell —
and post there. Don't overtly push your business. Instead, make an
intelligent comment and list your URL in the signature line of your
post. This invites people to your site without offending them by turning
the forum discussion into an ad for yourself. To find a relevant group,
visit Google Groups.
Offer a free service
Make your site useful by posting a service,
or information, that relates to your product, like a mortgage
calculator, a bunch of great recipes, or a list of the 100 most popular
boys and girls names. Not only will this draw in visitors (that is,
shoppers), but, if it's really useful, other sites will link to you.
Also, don't forget to present your sales offers near your free service.
Write a blog, or related articles No matter what you sell — from
sailboats to CDs — a running commentary on that area can spark user
interest, drawing visitors to your site. (Hint: a little controversy
does wonders.) To host a free blog, go to TypePad or Blogger.
Include your URL on everything
Any time you print something,
especially business cards or your stationary, include your URL. Don't
forget to include it in the signature line of every e-mail you send.
Join a Web Ring
A Web Ring is a series of related sites that link
to one another, promoting traffic flow between them. It costs nothing to
join, and having other sites link to you will increase your search
engine ranking. Find a Web Ring resource at — you guessed it —
Webring.com.
Hold a contest
A chance at winning something excites people — and
can also convince them to part with their e-mail address in exchange for
a chance to win. Choose the item you give away carefully to ensure
you're attracting the kind of users who will likely turn into repeat
buyers. (Also, check to be sure your contest rules are legal.)
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Online Money-Making Opportunities
Several Systems to make real money via
Internet
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