Advertising can be time consuming and expensive. The following lays out tested methods of advertising your business online for free or at very little cost. Businesses that follow these steps will achieve measurable success via increased customer traffic and strong, qualified leads.
7 Free Ways to Advertise Your Business
The following will also enhance your business’ SEO (search engine optimization) and begin to lift your site from the depths of search engine pages. This organic growth is key to your business’ long-term growth and success.
1. First, consider the keywords that customers are using to find your company’s product or service. Use those keywords in each communication published on free posting sites such as WantedWants.com, Craigslist.org, Kijiji.com and USfreeads.com. These sites are excellent tools for reaching your customers.
2. Post/publish a description of your business and a link to your site on the small business section of each of these sites. Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other search engines ‘crawl’ these sites and database these entries.
3. Consider the longevity of your post. Sites offer differing ‘active’ time periods before your post or advertisement expires. Keep that time period in mind as you may need to re-post more or less frequently, depending on the site.
4. Enhance the visibility of your post by adding a picture. Search engines value images in higher regard than simple text posts. Add your corporate image to the post to further enhance your visibility.
5. Consider the effectiveness of your post. While posting on Craigslist and Kijiji is free and effective, consider paying a nominal fee on USFreeads or WantedWants. A nominal fee may provide you with a featured ad, with picture and linking capabilities, and a top-page placement on the main page. This additional visibility is extremely valuable.
6. Video. Search engines value images and video in higher regard than text. Create a slide show or short advertisement for your business and a call to action to your site. Publish it on a free video site.
7. Reach and frequency of exposure are the foundations of advertising. The free posting sites provide the reach. Herbert E. Krugman’s theory suggests it takes three ‘views’ before a subject acts on an advertisement. Search engines are very similar in that it takes a minimum of three months’ worth of consistent action to see qualified results.
Complete the above steps over the course of one week and your success is limited. Complete the above for three months and your success will be significant.
Significantly increase your business’ exposure and traffic by following the above steps consistently for three months and you will undoubtedly experience significant growth in direct traffic, organic traffic, and qualified leads.
