This is a compilation of different methods to promote a website (some are suitable for any business):
1. Banners – Yeah, we all hate banners, but there’s no doubt that they are effective. This includes pop-ups pop-unders and transition pages (before getting the page you asked for you are presented with a banner for a few seconds).
2. Content advertising – Posting articles which appear as genuine unbiased coverage, but in fact serve a commercial purpose. The same can be done using online games, video clips and pictures.
3. Spam – This is a dangerous way to go, people are fed up with spam and lawsuits are being filed against many spam services. Studies show that spam advertising is still one of the best ways to get customers.
4. Mailing lists – This time you are sending information only to those who have asked for it. A great way to keep close contact with your customers, notify them of any new service and keep track of the number of regularly visiting customers. Proving your mailing list as a great content resource will ultimately increase the number of subscribers and your reputation.
5. Paid search engines placement – Most of your visitors found you by using a search engine. Paying the search engine so you will be placed in one of the first result spots, or on the side of the returned results brings great number of visitors. The problem is this method might be very expensive. This can also be done through high traffic sites that list service providers.
6. Forums and comments – Forums attract many people. Find a forum related to your business and answer people’s questions. Make sure your user’s signature holds a link to your website. If it’s required, refer people to your website for further information. You can also manipulate your answers or bring up questions for debate that will result in more advertising for your business. The same goes for comments about posts and articles.
7. Affiliate program – Offer an affiliate program on your site. This way you will have people and websites promoting your service for you and you’ll only have to pay them when they are bringing paying customers.
8. Spyware / Adware – Please don’t.
9. Blogs – Opening a blog on a popular blog site, or opening a personal site which links to your business’s website. Discuss issues related with your expertise.
10. Articles – Writing good content always brings people. Write articles and post them on your site and on sites that compile articles. Let others post the articles freely providing they link to your site.
11. SEO – Search Engines Optimization is very popular these days. You might want to consider hiring a company that will do this for you, or search for the guidelines on the web (Soon there will be a post regarding the issue on Sipoor.com). Anyway, you have to find the right keywords to target your site with. The competition is high so find your niche.
12. Radio/Newspaper/TV ads – Expensive but effective. Try to find the one directed at your potential customers.
13. Chain letters – funny chain letters forwarded between a large audience can attract lot of visitors.
14. Videos – filming and publishing a video that shows your site’s URL on the major video online communities.
We would like to hear from you about your success using different methods of promotion. Please feel free to add your comments and insights.