It may sound too good to be true, but there's an array of free
advertising available online through search engines/directories,
banner exchanges and e-classifieds. You can also take advantage
of often-overlooked tools like ezines, blogs, forums and
reciprocal links to promote your business. This article gives an
overview of each of these resources.
Search Engines/Directories
Free search engines/directories are a prime spot to advertise
products. The reason is: Eight out of 10 people surfing the Web
use search tools to navigate their way around online, according
to the eMarketing Association. And 54 percent of experienced
online shoppers rely on a search engine when searching for a
product to purchase online, reports Jupiter Communications.
ExactSeek is one of the few remaining search engines that offer
free listings. It receives and indexes more than 30,000 new site
submissions daily. To date, more than two million Websites have
been indexed and added to the ExactSeek database.
The Open Directory Project is one of the most important
directories online. Also known as DMOZ, it is the largest, most
comprehensive human-edited directory on the Web. Getting your
site listed with the Open Directory Project can be a major boost
because of the highly relevant searches it delivers. Hosted and
administered by Netscape Communication Corporation, DMOZ powers
the core directory services for some of the Web's premier search
engines and portals, including Netscape Search, AOL Search,
Google, Lycos, HotBot and DirectHit.
Online Classified Ads
Almost everyone is familiar with classified advertising. So why
not take advantage of the online equivalent. Placing e-classified
ads can help you broaden your reach and Website traffic. It can
also connect you with people who are eagerly searching for what
you have to sell, which can boost your sales.
Websites like YahoolClassifieds, SuperAds and ZipZapAds allow you
to post free classifieds in a range of categories and upload
photos. Many sites allow listings nationally and worldwide.
Ablewise.com, for example, features global ads in eight different
countries. Online classifieds are the ultimate way to expand your
brand locally and worldwide.
Banner Exchanges
Banner exchanges allow members to swap ads on each other's
Websites. You simply insert a small piece of code onto your Web
page and you will display banner ads from other exchange members.
In return, your advertisement will be displayed across the banner
exchange network.
There are a wide variety of banner exchanges networks available
online, including e-bannerx, click4click and 1800banners. All of
them have different operating models, with some giving perks like
a 10-percent referral fee or 3,000 banners for joining. Many
banner programs require a 2:1 or 3:2 exchange ratio.
Overlooked Free Resources
There's an array of free resources that are often ignored by
Website owners. Ezines or online magazines are one of them.
Ezines can give you an effective way to establish yourself as an
expert, build consumer trust and, ultimately, generate sales.
Submitting articles to ezines can result in a byline, enhanced
credibility, plus a link back to your Website.
Another subtle way to advertise online is through blogs. A blog-
short for Weblog-is simply a digital diary or online forum that
anyone can read online. Nearly 80,000 new blogs are created every
day, making them one of the most rapidly expanding online
marketing tools, according to the State of the Blogosphere report
from Technorati, a Website that indexes blogs.
Blogs can be developed to cover almost any topic, and they're a
great channel for publicizing new products or services. You can
use a blog for a variety of purposes, including news, education,
and commentary. A blog can provide quality links back to your
main domain, plus enhance your site's performance with search
engines.
Reciprocal links is a tactic that can allow you to generate free
traffic from other Websites. The key is to link to high-traffic
sites that complement-not compete-with yours. This can provide
you with a steady stream of visitors matching your target market.
Forums can also increase your visibility on the Web. This type of
online chatting lets you communicate with audiences directly
related to your product or service. You may even be able to slip
in the name of your company and link back to your Website.
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