Surely everyone knows that website optimisation for search engines is a vital form of internet marketing. After all, if your site doesn’t come up on the first page of search engine results, you are probably missing a lot of potential sales.
However, not all internet marketing efforts need to revolve around the three major search engines. There are many ways to gain traffic and attract potential customers elsewhere on the internet.
Publishing Content
A great way to market your business is by establishing yourself as an expert and disseminating information about it throughout the World Wide Web.
Consider writing articles for other websites. These can be in the form of white papers, how-to instructions, or a piece on the state of the industry. Most website owners will be happy to get new content to update their site with. Choose your targets with care, the higher the site’s authority rating and page ranking, the more benefit you will receive.
You can also write articles for directory sites. eHow, and EZine Articles are all places where you can publish articles and include a link to your site. Some also pay you for the content, or give you a bonus based on number of clicks.
Blogs are another great place for your written content. Offer to do a guest post at a blog on subject matter related to your business. Be sure to advertise it well in advance of its appearance to get the maximum benefit from traffic and comments. Consider ending your post with an open-ended sentence that invites readers to share their thoughts and leave comments. This is beneficial for both you and the blog owner.
Either way, be sure to include your contact information, email address, and links to all of your sites and/or blogs at the end. If possible, slip an additional link somewhere else in the content.
Social Media
Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace are excellent forums for marketing. Social bookmarking sites, online forums, and groups are all good venues, as well.
Some people actually believe that Twitter will soon overtake Google as being the preferred place for consumers to exchange information on products and services. Rather than simply searching on Google, many Tweeters are already using the site for more than updating followers on what’s new. It is quite often used as an exchange site for news, information, and business. If your business does not have a Twitter account, then get one started today.
When you develop a following at several social media websites, you are immediately gaining an interested audience. Use this to your marketing advantage.
Networking
By contacting and communicating with other website owners, you may find another way to promote your business that is absolutely free. Establish a good relationship and inquire about placing a banner ad on their site. Of course, it is good manners to reciprocate, but this could be a real advantage for both of you.
Not all internet marketing needs to revolve around the major search engines. You can also do some offline marketing to help you get people to your website as well. With these tips for Marketing Without Search Engines, a lot of promotion options are free and have the potential to reach a large audience.
Have a most outstanding day.
Sean RasmussenAussie Internet Marketing
www.SeanSEO.com © 2008 - 2012
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I have noticed how many businesses are joining the social networks like Twitter and Facebook. The ones that don’t will be left by the wayside.
I too have been seeing an increase of business into the social media with facebook particularly, many are seeing the benefit.
Hi Sean,
There are lots of ways to get traffic and customers to our sites. I think we need to make the most of all the different strategies so that we’re not just relying on a couple of old favorites. I think it’s important to have variety because we won’t know which ones will be the most effective if we don’t try them all.
Hi Sean,
Thanks for the great marketing tips here. You mentioned three major search engines. I know Google and Yahoo but can’t think who the other one may be. You have also opened my eyes to the vast amount of Social Media sites that are available for marketers.
Due to your SeanSEO articles I’m become more aware of Article Directories and the importance of submitting articles to Article Directory sites for marketing purposes. You have given a lot of food for thought here that I will be putting into practice to increase my online marketing sales.
Bing is the other search engine Jill