Take your Website Live!

in Forum: Building a Website that Works
Source of this discusssion: /steps/66/3779/10/1/launch-website-live.htm Page description: After all the planning, designing, coding, testing and re-testing, your new business Web site is ready to launch - almost.
May. 30 2007 at 2:47 PM
nhgnikole Posted by: nhgnikole Sunbassador
Inspired by this new series on SUN and some of the good ideas presented in this article, I'm writing a 3-part series on some things you can do to give yourself a traffic boost (for CHEAP/FREE!) once you launch your site. As a small business owner and a person that works with small businesses, I know I'm always looking for ways to market that are cost-effective and within a small business owner's budget.

Part 1, which discusses using forums for networking and marketing. was posted today.
Part 2 is on e-mail and networking for word-of-mouth advertising, and will be posted on Thursday.
Part 3 is on using press releases to get the word out, and that will be released on Friday.

So what other ways can we "slide under the radar" with free and/or inexpensive marketing/advertising techniques that give a great return on our time/money investment? Let's post them here, because it's really important to hit the ground running once your site goes live!


Edited by: nhgnikole - Jun. 01 2007 at 4:20 PM
* Bad Habits
* A True "Lifestyle Business"
(from Small Business Essentials)

writing | marketing | web: NHG Consulting
May. 30 2007 at 3:29 PM
CrossCountry Posted by: CrossCountry

I use an ad button created for me by a close friend and designer.

I shoot it over to photobucket, then copy and paste the URL link to it in free business directories and reciprocal advertising with business associates.

I also use the ad button in my follow-up e-mails after I've met with a prospective client so they can remember who I am.  I just use the "insert image" function and put it below my signature. 

The ad button consists of layers of rotating images and icons that reflect my business type.  My photo is in the mix and, in most places, if you click on the button it takes you right to my lens at Squidoo.  [Now I just need to re-direct it to my new website!]

I've had several of my clients and potential clients comment on it and have directed a few sales to my designer friend.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/Molly0329/CrossCountr y125-2.gif [clicking on it here doesn't do anything, just an image location]

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/Molly0329/CrossCountr y125-2.gif" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

[IMG] http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/Molly0329/CrossCountr y125-2.gif[/IMG]

Photobucket gives you you all of the above codes.



Edited by: CrossCountry - May. 30 2007 at 3:31 PM
Linda Hall, Cross Country Bookeeping Service
Keeping You on Track ~ The Right Way!
Cross Country Bookkeeping Services
T.R.A.I.N. Forum
May. 30 2007 at 3:34 PM
nhgnikole Posted by: nhgnikole Sunbassador
That's great Linda - along the same lines, I have a ad up on Craigslist right now in the small business section. And of course, it's important to remember to keep reposting these things and keep them fresh! (I reposted my ad yesterday and got a response within an hour!)

You also mentioned Squidoo, which is another great free traffic booster. Along those lines, there's sites like LinkedIn, MySpace, Ryze, etc.


Edited by: nhgnikole - May. 30 2007 at 3:35 PM
* Bad Habits
* A True "Lifestyle Business"
(from Small Business Essentials)

writing | marketing | web: NHG Consulting
May. 30 2007 at 3:50 PM
CrossCountry Posted by: CrossCountry

The very first place I went to is Ryze when I was looking for ways to expand my business.  I belong to a couple of the networks and WIN is the one I love the most.

http://www.ryze.com/go/crosscountry is where you can find my profile.

Within the first 2 weeks, I met JanetB at Ryze and she directed me to SUN. 

I also learned about Squidoo at Ryze and created my lens.  Not knowing anything about putting lenses or website together was tough and time-consuming.  But I learned.............. [sheer determination ~ LOL]

And I just created my very first "Live" website over the weekend and published the first page and a half.  For a total amateur, I'm pretty proud of myself. 

It cost me $8.95 for the domain name and about 12 to 16 hours of my time so far ~ that's about as low budget as it gets, I'm sure.  [Thank goodness I don't have to WRITE the code !]

If anyone wants to look at it, go to:

http://crosscountrybookkeeping.com  Be sure to let me know what you think.

I have a place for advertisers at a super low cost or I can do a reciprocal exchange with those that are interested.

Thanks for the topic.  I just added the page rank to the second page ~ another neat free feature.  Too cool.

 

 



Edited by: CrossCountry - May. 30 2007 at 3:53 PM
Linda Hall, Cross Country Bookeeping Service
Keeping You on Track ~ The Right Way!
Cross Country Bookkeeping Services
T.R.A.I.N. Forum
Aug. 23 2007 at 7:16 PM
CrossCountry Posted by: CrossCountry

Nikole ~

Can I repost your marketing techniques on your Craigslist ad at T.R.A.I.N.?  With credits, of course.

Thanks!

Linda

Linda Hall, Cross Country Bookeeping Service
Keeping You on Track ~ The Right Way!
Cross Country Bookkeeping Services
T.R.A.I.N. Forum
Aug. 31 2007 at 9:00 AM
No Photo Posted by: Prakash25

This is one of the best artcle aobout the website I've come across in the recent times . Thanks a ton for the information

Regards

 

Bhanu Prakash

http://megainsuranceinfo.com

Oct. 12 2008 at 12:13 PM
No Photo Posted by: dabarera
Best site for business owners
 
Thank you
Francis Dabarera
 
Oct. 13 2008 at 10:11 AM
No Photo Posted by: DBShopVis
Great article on forums.  I wrote a similar one also emphasizing the power of subtle signatures, but I never thought about changing signatures regularly to announce specials or promotions.  Thanks for the tip!

DBShopVis
Marketing Team
www.ShopVisible.com


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