|
|
|
Do Your Own PR has gathered together a team of experienced business authorities to bring you their expert tips on getting publicity for and growing your business.
|
|
Get Publicity for Your Website
|
by Hazel Semple and Chris Storey of www.concrete-helium.co.uk and Paula Gardner of www.doyourownpr.com
Whether you sell clothes or financial services, publicising your website is an essential part of your business. www.concrete-helium.co.uk has drawn up a step by step, ten point plan to get you started.
Your first step is to get your website in order and tweaked so that it is in the position possible for climbing those search engine placements. These terms may sound terrifyingly technical but they are something that we deal with every day, and we are on hand to advise you, making sure your website doesn't fall into the internet black hole, never to be heard of again.
1. Provide directions.
Make sure your meta tags are up to date and comprehensive. You might never have heard of them but meta tags are the hidden gems which can boost the value of your website and ensure it reaches its full potential on the Internet. Search engines like Google have 'spiders' which crawl the net and index your website so you need to help them to help you! With a combination of substantial well chosen content and excellent meta tags with titles, descriptions and keywords you can be top dog in your sector and beat your competitors hands down for the commonly searched for phrases.
2. Spruce up your front door.
Don't forget that your home page makes the all important first impression. You should have enticing content to draw in your visitors and encourage them to stay and take a look around your website. Make a long and creative list of your target key words and phrases and incorporate every single one into your text to make it as relevant and concise as possible. This will keep you focused and ensure you have your visitors and potential customers in mind when you are creating your website.
3. Keep your visitors entertained.
If people are looking for specific items or service that your site sells, remember that it make take a few visits before they commit themselves to buying from you. In order to keep attracting them you will need constantly changing, or rolling content, to keep your site looking up to date, fresh and offering something new for returning users. Think sticky content that will take more than one sitting to read such as articles; or changing content, like horoscopes or weather updates that they can look to on a regular basis.
4. Be a generous host.
Has your site got an added extra? A site selling urban jewellery might expect to make one or two sales person per year, but insert a page that's got an up to date list of club nights and venues throughout the country, and those prospective purchasers will keep coming back again and again, increasing the likelihood that they will buy more in future.
5. Send out lots of invitations.
Get your name out there. Set up your emails to include your website signature and get that website address on everything possible - all business and personal stationery, every forum posting, every personal or business letter that goes out, and every email, even if it's only to a friend.
6. Network.
Search the net for compatible websites and offer to exchange links. Obviously direct competitors aren't going to be interested, but think laterally. If you sell children's clothes think about who buys the clothes? Parents? Grandparents? And target your web search to that market.
7. Join as many different forums as you possibly can.
Become a regular answering questions and posting your own, referring to your own site and experiences as much as possible.
8. Write a press release
Send it to the local newspapers, local radio, specialist press (e.g. the fishing magazines for a fishing tackle website). Don't worry too much about writing something compelling or flowery. In these days of email the media want easy to digest facts (they can contact you for more later) and a story or a freebie. Announcing that you're launching yet another website that sells aromatherapy oils isn't going to get anyone rushing to phone you, but offer the press some free oils for review and people will suddenly become interested.
9. Blow your own trumpet.
Change the way you think. So many people are shy about their websites, or perhaps afraid of criticism. Instead, you have to shout about what you are doing, and resolve to ignore the inevitable criticism or negativity you'll get from some people. Go through old address books; ask friends and colleagues for ideas and help. Contact that alumni magazine and announce what you are doing. Get the news out there. And if you sell a service through your website (life coach, marketing etc.) then don't fall into the trap of trying to look too successful and busy. People will assume you don't need any more work - keep reminding them that you do!
10. Write an article related to your website.
Keep it short and snappy. If you sell plants why not write a few short pieces such as 10 ways to create a romantic garden, 10 ways to create an exotic garden etc, and then offer it to as many websites you can, mentioning, of course, your name and your site. Many sites are glad to be offered free content and will snap up your piece for publication, and you'll get a nice by-line and link through to your own site into the bargain.
We can guide you through the process of getting your website into the best possible shape for marketing and publicity. To learn more about how we can help your particular site, email us on enquiries@concrete-helium.co.uk
Back to more articles on promoting your business
|
| Posted: 13/03/2005 17:27:17
Last Updated: 13/03/2005 17:35:20
|
|
|
