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Marketing Tips
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Learn how search engines and directories work and get listed.
Of course we think this is the most important marketing tip of all.
That's why we created
Searchengines.com. Stay up to date on search engine information
and do what you can for a better ranking. This is how people find
your site, so it's critical.
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Write a targeted Press Release. Send press releases to
editors/writers and publications that are likely to be interested in
your pitch. Write a newsworthy article, not an advertisement. Tailor
your material for different audiences and increase your chances of
publication. Above all, be short and to the point, and avoid
factual, spelling or grammatical errors.
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Use your website as a 24 hour image machine. Make sure
that your site's content puts forth the image you want to present. A
nicely designed website with useful, informative content is a great
promotional ambassador.
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Keep your domain name simple. Try to use a short domain name
that relates to the site's purpose. Make it memorable and unique…
after all… there are a lot of sites out there.
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Stay fresh.
You don't have to update by the second but you should refresh your
site's content as often as possible. Updating shows customers you
are on top of things and helps your business appear current.
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Network to boost your site traffic. Ask other webmasters to
link to you. This will help your search engine rankings and create a
strong company image as well as some traffic. Send emails only to
webmasters with related content and personalize the message. If it
appears that you are sending mass emails to random sites, this will
be considered spam. You may need to offer a reciprocal link. Make
sure the websites linking to you represent your company's ethics.
You don't want to be associated with a site containing objectionable
material. Don't forget to find out who's linking to your
competition.
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Put your URL everywhere. Use your usual (and maybe some
unusual) methods of communication including stationary, business
cards, invoices, faxes, etc.
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Register variations of your domain name. Try to register
common misspellllings of your domain as well as other top level
domain extensions such as: .net. You may also want to register your
domain for using national top level domains such as .co.uk.
- Show your good side. Find out if your company donates money to a
charity or participates in volunteer services. Involvement with
education or the environment is an example. If so, describe this on
your site. Don't make anything up.
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Always respect your customers. It pays off, whether you're
doing marketing research or responding to a complaint. Honest and
clear communication builds a strong reputation and good customer
retention.
- Nominate your website for web awards today! It doesn't have to
be a big name website. If you win, (or even if you win 'runner-up,')
post the news on your website. Aside from the promotion, chances are
you'll gain an external link from the site that awarded you. Kill
two birds with one stone; increase web traffic and gain recognition
for your outstanding website!
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Talk to people in their native language. When you are
deciding whether or not to make your site multilingual, first
consider who your audience is.
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Logos
and
Slogans. They aren't set it stone but make some good ones
the first time. Spend a lot of time on both, and if you can afford
professional advice, it's not a bad idea. In general, your logo and
slogan should be on every page of your site. Consistency is
everything.
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Email market but don't lose your good name. Send emails only
to those that opt-in.
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E-newsletters benefit you and the customer if they are done
right. Keep it short and sweet. Send the newsletters at consistent
increments and make your material easy to understand. Try to make it
viral by asking recipients to invite others to sign up.
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Have a little fun with a contest or game. Simple is best.
Whether you choose company trivia or host a writing contest, make
sure you set guidelines and post them on your site. Contests give
customers another reason to return to your site.
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Make your error messages less scary. If possible (depending
on your web host,) change 'file not found' messages to a friendly
response that re-directs visitors to your home page.
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Email services are free advertising among other things. Not
only can you attach your extension to customer email addresses (such
as Matt @searchengines.com) but you also give customers another
reason to come back to your site to check their email.
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Everyone needs their privacy. At a time when online security
is the main concern, show customers you care. Privacy statements let
customers know what happens to the personal information they give to
you. Make your privacy statement clear and concise, and then offer
contact information should any confusion or disagreements arise.
Employees should be made aware of the information in your company's
privacy statement.
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Frequently Asked Questions don't have to be a nuisance.
Creating an FAQ section will save you time and energy and give your
web users a quick response.
- Register freebies at a "Free stuff" site. Look around on the Net
for sites that promote free stuff. Contact these sites and offer
some of your own promotional goodies.
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Use a signature in emails and newsgroups: Include your name
and contact information. This will reinforce your company identity.
It should be between four to six lines and provide basic information
and your company's primary focus.
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Write right. Clear and concise writing is paramount to
effective communication in your web content, press releases and
newsletters. If needed…get help.
bravenet.com