- Getting Started (cont'd)
The seven steps to designing your new website:
Plan | Design
| Create
| Check/Re-check
| Upload
| Promote | Maintain
Promoting Your Website
Okay, now, I accept that what I'm about to say may be
another big "Duh" for some of you. But you
would be absolutely amazed how many people don't think of
it. Once your site is up you need to promote it for
it to be successful. Many people think that all they
have to do is put a site up on the internet and people will
flock to it. See If I Build It They Will Come, Right? for more on
this phenomenon.
The fact of the matter is, this
just doesn't happen. You have to promote your
site. And when I say promote it, I mean everywhere,
every way you can. Any advertising you do for should now
include your web address. That means newspaper or
magazine ads, mailers, billboards, radio or tv spots and phone
book ads. Every bill, letter, business card, catalog or
piece of paper that leaves your office should contain your web
address. Consider sending out a mailer or putting up a
poster so that customers know you now have a website. Put it
on the door of your business and on any vehicles which display
the company logo. Get in the habit of using your domain
related email address. Many people are savvy enough to
know that the part of the address after the @ is often your
web address.
Search engines can also be a very useful tool in getting your
site "out there". Go to Search
Engines & Getting Listed for tips on how to get
your site listed and keep a good ranking.
If you know others who have
sites who might be willing to place a link to your site on
their page, ask them. For example, if you are a member
of a local chamber of commerce or other business organization
see if they have a website and if they provide links for their
members. If you find sites which carry links of sites
similar to yours and wish to be included, email the site
webmaster and ask. Often they will place a link on their
site to yours if you are willing to do the same for
them. Worst they can say is "no". If you
have business relationships with other companies in the area,
consider asking them for reciprocal links. Anything that
might help people find your site can be helpful.
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