Post about "Arts"

10 Not-So-Obvious Ways to Promote Your Website

It is interesting to think that out of the numerous ways in which business owners can advertise their products and services, many of them neglect to place their company’s URL in the very advertising they are already paying for. Sometimes simply placing their Web site URL in their paid advertising is not that obvious. Here are 10 not-always-so-obvious ways to promote your Web site.

1. Include your URL on business cards, stationery, brochures and other literature.

As silly as it may seem, this no-brainer is often overlooked. You’d be amazed how many business owners either forget to place their URL on their business cards or don’t think doing so is all that important. Be sure when printing your company’s promotional and marketing materials, to leave off the http:// part and include only the http://www.domain.com portion.

2. Don’t neglect e-mail and e-mail newsletters as a way to bring visitors to your Web site.

Utilize the signature file option (company name, address, phone number, URL, e-mail address) in your e-mail program. Many business owners sign their e-mails with just their first name, nothing more. Moreover, many business owners still send and receive business-related e-mails using a free e-mail account or their ISP’s email, like Hotmail, Yahoo, or Ameritech, rather than using their corporate e-mail account – another free Web site promotion tool.

While it’s a big commitment in time, publishing a weekly, monthly, or quarterly newsletter is one of the very best ways to keep in touch with your prospects, generate trust, develop brand awareness, and build future business. Don’t forget to place your URL in each newsletter you send out.

3. Take a moment to use your traditional means of advertising to add your URL.

Be sure to include your URL in any display or classified ads you purchase in trade journals, newspapers, magazines and more. View your Web site as an information adjunct to the ad – to capture the readers’ attention with the ad, and then refer them to a URL where they can obtain more information and perhaps place an order. Look carefully at small display or classified ads in the back of magazines or trade periodicals. Sometimes these ads are more targeted, more effective, and less expensive than online advertising. Consider other traditional media to drive people to your site, such as direct mail, classifieds, post cards, etc.

4. Become an online expert in your field.

Use your expertise to become an expert in your field and promote your Web site for free. Sign up for Yahoo Answers or Google Answers and answer questions asked by online visitors. You will have the opportunity to write your company’s URL in your profile. This is a great way to gain additional Internet exposure as well.

5. Issue press releases.

When your business has a newsworthy event, send press releases to print and online periodicals. Use these opportunities to mention your company’s URL near the bottom of each news release. There are many online PR Web sites, including PRWeb.com, PRWire.com and others you may use to promote something exciting happening within your company.

6. Promote your site in mailing lists and news groups.

The Internet offers hundreds of targeted e-mail based discussion lists, chat rooms and news groups made up of people with very specialized interests. Spend at least one hour each week searching for groups where a conversation is taking place. Do not use aggressive marketing and overly plug your company, even if you see some people doing so. Instead, add to the discussion in a helpful way and let the signature at the end of your e-mail or post message do the marketing for you. People will gradually get to know and trust you, visit your Web site, and do business with you.

7. Ask visitors to bookmark your site.

It seems so simple, but make sure you ask visitors to bookmark your Web site. Use a text link or graphic on the homepage of your Web site.

8. Place URL in any yellow book advertising you already do.

I once knew of a company who was spending $90,000 in yellow page advertising, across numerous books in the area, and included front yellow book cover ads as well as full-page, full-color ads throughout the yellow pages. Not once did they mention their Web site, which has been on the Net for many years. The company surprisingly saw no value to it.

Whether placing full-page ads in your local yellow pages, or only paying for a bold listing in the white and business yellow pages of your local directory, consider leaving open one line for your company’s Web site address. Because you are already paying for the directory advertising, this is one particular place you definitely do not want to overlook.

9. Write articles for use in newsletters and other Web sites.

You can dramatically increase your Internet visibility when you write expert articles about your field and distribute them as free content for other article directories, e-mail newsletters and other related Web sites. At the bottom of each article written, request a link back to your Web site and a one-line description of what you offer. This is an effective viral marketing approach.

10. Devise other viral marketing techniques.

Viral marketing uses the communication networks of your site visitors and current customers to spread the word about your Web site exponentially. Some examples include word-of-mouth, public relations, referrals, blogs, creating “buzz,” and other forms of network marketing.

10 Best Home Based Businesses Selected From Top 100 to Have Guaranteed Success Online

Due to the current economic crisis, managing your overall expenses is not as easy as it used to be. Luckily, we can now have extra income from doing business at home. Apart from the hectic schedule, you might wonder how to successfully set up and maintain it without completely losing track of time. Well, the good news is that having some of these 10 best home based businesses selected from top 100 doesn’t require too much time.1. The best one to start with is an affiliate program opportunity, since you can join free and also earn lifetime commissions. Having the right products to sell can give you an excellent income online.2. The next one is desktop publishing. This requires minimum setup because all you need are graphic design skills and a good layout program. From invitations to brochures and flyers, you can take on this business on a project basis. This means only accepting orders when you don’t have too much work on your hands. You can still maintain your regular Monday to Friday routine, and work on this during weekends.3. The third from the 10 best home based businesses selected from top 100 is blogging. Maintaining an online journal is profitable especially once you have a strong reader base. Once you have a regular audience, you can immediately post different articles on exciting topics if you have the time. You can also earn from ad spaces and banners to be placed on your site.4. Freelancing in photography might also be a good idea. Offer clients with weekend and holidays service. Since these are the days which you don’t have work, you can cater to their needs at once. You’ll need to invest in equipment to start your business.5. The fifth one is a pet grooming service. Hold grooming sessions on weekends for pet owners that don’t really have time to give their pets a bath. Schedule a number of dogs per week.6. Selling products online can also become a profitable hobby. This can range from drawing, knitting and painting. The best places you can sell stuff are on eBay and other sites that have a lot of members.7. Content writing is also becoming an increasingly popular choice for people who have backgrounds on copywriting. These including producing press releases and research writing on a certain number of products to promote a company online.8. The eighth one of the 10 best home based businesses selected from top 100 is the virtual assistance job. Virtual assistants carry out tasks that cannot be handled by the company due to the volume of jobs their employees have to fulfill. These take up more time because of the regular working hours, depending on the country to be operated at.9. You can always use web design as your home based business. You’d be surprised at the potential income opportunities for this field.10. Lastly, consulting jobs are also among the jobs which one can fulfill because it doesn’t take up too much time. Engage in a field that you specialize in.It is very much necessary that you acquire appropriate knowledge and skills that you need to run some of our best home based businesses selected from top 100 successfully. Although the internet has made it possible to achieve your goals, it takes hard work and determination to fulfill your dreams in life.

Why You Should Get Into the Home Based Business Industry

There are many reasons why the home based industry is a good investment and business option for people today. In the light of the recent financial crisis, many large organizations and land based businesses are collapsing while the home based business industry is thriving. This is because the online market remained unaffected by the recent recession and has only benefited from the many new online home businesses starting up.A home based business is great idea if you are unemployed, need a second income or if you are a stay at home parent. Even if you are a homemaker with valuable degrees to boast of, or a college student with a lot of free time, an online business is a very lucrative and simple way of making money. Even if you are someone with a steady job, it is always good to have a backup plan just in case. Get ready to get into the home based business industry and you will soon find yourself well on the way to achieving financial security and a great future. Also, once you get the business up and running, you can step back and let it run itself.One of the first steps to starting an online business is doing some groundwork to find the right home based business that suits your qualifications and interest. There are several home based business opportunities for you to choose from and you make a good choice with a bit of effort and concentrated research.Remember never to rush into a home business just because you have a great money making idea. Understand the risks and know that even with all the planning that you put into your business there is a chance of success, only if you are able to market yourself properly.Starting an online home business is a relatively simple option if you have an internet connection, a personal computer and a good business idea. Even marketing knowledge is not required as you can hire someone to market your online business for you. An online business will allow you to work flexible hours and if you are a parent, you will not feel guilty that you are not at home for your children.Building the right home business will reap huge benefits for you. However, do not be greedy and expect results right away. Instead, have patience, put in hard work diligently and eventually the money will come in.